The degree of rate parity observed for European hotels between their brand websites and the OTAs show variation by location in the March 2016 report. Dublin at 23% & London at 13% though were cities, where 3-star hotels maintained parity but the number of hotels practicing parity is paltry, while Helsinki and Dublin (again) emerge as clear parity practicing cities in the 4-star and 5-star categories, respectively. Dublin clearly is leading the practice overall across hotel categories at 26% of hotels in parity & at the same time Dublin too is the city with high number of hotels preferring their own brand sites to OTAs and offering lower rates, the number being as much as 23%.
Hotels being cheaper on OTA sites is an interesting factor for hotels in Europe amidst the parity vs non-parity debate. Venice being as high as 97% of hotels offering better rates on OTAs in 3-star category, while Madrid at 94% & Prague at 98% are following this pattern in 4-star & 5-star categories, respectively.
Did you notice?
- Dublin despite following parity in 26% of hotels, is still the city that across categories has 51% of hotels offering better rates on OTAs.
- Spain is facing OTA dominance in better rates where major cities like Barcelona and Madrid are preferring to sell on OTAs and the numbers being as high as 86% & 85% individually.
- Prague, Amsterdam, Rome & Venice with 0% parity in 5-star categories is displaying the need for meta-searches for prospective customers to source out best deals.
RateGain specializes in establishing rate parity for hotels across different channels.
The above data is indicative in nature and RateGain can’t be held liable for its accuracy or usefulness for any purpose.
