When searching for hotel accommodation, travelers have more options than ever before.
Between travel agents, online search, or asking friends, it can be overwhelming to sort through all the choices. But what if there were a way to find the best hotel deal possible with just a few clicks? What if you could compare rates and availability across numerous platforms without having to open dozens of tabs in your browser?
Thanks to hotel metasearch engines, you can!
In this article we’ll dive into what this is and why it’s important to utilize if you want to maximize occupancy.
What is Hotel Metasearch?
A metasearch engine for hotels is a one-stop solution that aggregates hotel prices and availability from a plethora of different sources – think online travel agencies (OTAs), individual hotel websites, and other booking platforms.
It’s Google search for your accommodation needs.
This means that travelers can compare prices and availability across different platforms and make informed decisions about direct bookings with hotels.
It’s not just convenient for travelers though, but also for hotels themselves. Through these platforms, hotels can increase their visibility and drive more bookings to their websites rather than relying on travel agents or marketers.
How does a hotel metasearch site work?
Like a regular search engine, it starts by scouring the internet for hotel listings, collecting data regarding the price, availability, and other vital information for each hotel.
All this data is then displayed to you on a single results page.
You can then filter these results according to your preferences – location, price, amenities, and so on. From there, the user can book directly through the hotel or a travel agent, depending on what result is most appealing for their preferences.
Pros of Using Hotel Metasearch
Customers prefer hotel metasearch sites for several reasons. For one, they help save on hotel bookings by comparing prices from multiple sources. Instead of visiting individual hotel websites and cross-referencing prices and amenities, metasearch sites provide a one-stop-shop for comparison shopping.
Secondly, they aid in decision making by narrowing down the options to what fits your budget and preference, eliminating the overwhelming process of hunting for hotels. This ensures the most bang for your buck.
They also provide direct links to the hotel in their search results. This lets travelers book directly with the hotel, without having to go through a third-party booking site or agent.
This not only ensures better rates and more accurate information, but it also enables travelers to take advantage of special promotions or loyalty programs offered through the hotel’s website.
Metasearch engines also rely on customer reviews from various booking sites and display them on their platform, enabling travelers to get a more well-rounded sense of the hotel’s quality.
They typically aggregate rate and availability data directly from hotel websites and booking engines, providing more accurate information to travelers.
By offering a unified platform for comparison shopping, metasearch engines have revolutionized the way travelers book their accommodations.
Examples of Metasearch Engines for Finding Hotels
For travelers looking for the best deals on hotel rooms, metasearch engines are the perfect solution. These sites scan the web for hotel rates across several platforms, allowing users to compare prices and book directly from the hotel website or other booking sites. Here are the top metasearch engines for finding hotels:
Skyscanner is a renowned metasearch engine that initially started as a flight search tool but has expanded to include hotel bookings as well. It allows users to search and compare hotel rates from various sources, including online travel agencies and hotel websites.
2. TripAdvisor
TripAdvisor is a popular metasearch site used by travelers worldwide. The site offers a wide range of features, including hotel reviews, photos, and rates. It compares prices across multiple sites, providing users with a quick and easy way to find the best hotel deals.
3. Kayak
Kayak is another popular and comprehensive metasearch engine available for hotel bookings. The site scans several hotel and travel sites to give users a comprehensive view of hotel room rates across the web.
4. Trivago
Trivago is another popular metasearch engine that helps users find the best hotel rates. The site compares prices across multiple hotel booking websites, providing users with a full range of options when making their reservations.
Google Hotel Ads is their foray into the metasearch engine competition allowing users to search for hotel rates and make direct bookings. It interfaces directly with a Google Business Profile making it easy for travelers to book their ideal accommodation through Google search.
Optimizing Your Hotel for Metasearch
If you’re in the hospitality industry, it’s crucial to make your hotel as appealing as possible to the metasearch engine’s algorithm. Luckily, this isn’t much different from optimizing for search engines.
Make sure your hotel is listed on all major metasearch sites, providing accurate and up-to-date information, using relevant keywords in your hotel description, and offering competitive prices. This includes on your official website, online travel agents, and other booking platforms.
Always actively monitor and manage your online reviews and ratings. Metasearch engines often display user reviews and ratings alongside hotel listings, and positive reviews can significantly impact your hotel’s reputation and visibility.
Responding promptly and professionally to guest reviews, whether positive or negative, demonstrates your commitment to guest satisfaction.
Lastly, participate in hotel metasearch marketing programs, such as pay-per-click (PPC) campaigns, to increase your hotel’s visibility and attract more direct bookings.
These advertising initiatives can help you stand out among competitors and reach a wider audience of potential guests, ultimately driving more traffic and bookings to your hotel.
Maximize Bookings With Metasearch: Hotel Search Engines
Metasearch has revolutionized the hotel industry in unprecedented ways. It has increased competition among hotels, leading to better deals for customers, and it has necessitated hoteliers to optimize their offerings for better visibility on these platforms.
For hotels, metasearch sites can be a very effective way to drive bookings and increase their online visibility. By partnering with a hotel metasearch engine like Google hotel ads, hotels can reach a wider audience and showcase their rates and availability in real-time.
However, it’s important to remember that while metasearch for hotels is a useful tool, it should not be relied upon exclusively. Bookings made directly through a hotel’s website are still the most cost-effective way for hotels to sell their rooms and increase their revenue.
As the online hotel booking landscape continues to evolve, we can expect metasearch engines for hotels to play an increasingly important role in the industry. Placeworks is here to help you along the way. Let’s see what we can do to develop your hotel website!