In a recent revelation by STAAH, a global hotel technology provider with a network spanning over 19,000 properties, GoMMT, owned by Goibibo and MakeMyTrip, continues its reign at the top spot for the sixth consecutive year. Meanwhile, Booking.com and Agoda maintain their positions at number two and three respectively, showcasing their enduring influence in the market.
TravelGuru makes a notable leap, ascending two spots to claim the fourth position, while Expedia slips down to number five.
Commenting on these developments, Shoaib Ali, National Sales Head at STAAH, emphasizes, “With their extensive reach within India and beyond, these online booking channels are strategically positioned to capture a significant share of the burgeoning Indian travel and tourism market.”
Reports from Sabre and McKinsey indicate a remarkable recovery in domestic travel within India, surpassing pre-Covid levels. Furthermore, international trips are forecasted to surge from 13 million in 2022 to an impressive 80 million by 2040.
STAAH’s SwiftBook booking engine secures the sixth spot, demonstrating consistent performance and year-on-year revenue growth, despite a slight dip in ranking.
Shoaib highlights a growing trend of travellers opting to book directly with hotels in 2023, indicating a shift in preferences despite the resurgence of online travel agencies (OTAs). He attributes this trend to STAAH’s advanced features that enhance the competitiveness of hotel websites, coupled with enticing packaging and promotions offered by hoteliers.
As business travel rebounds post-Covid, Global Distribution Systems (GDS) make a noteworthy comeback, with STAAH GDS and WebBeds entering the top 10 channel list at the eighth and tenth positions respectively. This underscores the robust demand from the business travel segment. Additionally, HRS, a specialized online booking portal catering to business travel, secures a spot in the top 10 list.
Airbnb maintains its position at number seven in the Indian market, showcasing its continued relevance in the online marketplace for short-term and long-term rentals.
Drawing insights from STAAH’s extensive data covering over 19,000 properties across 90 countries and integrated with 350+ platforms, Shoaib observes a strategic shift among accommodation providers towards holistic commerce strategies aimed at attracting the right guests at the right time.
“Both emerging and established online channels are reshaping the distribution landscape, enabling accommodation providers to adapt to evolving seasons and changing traveller preferences across multiple platforms,” adds Shoaib.
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