Singapore | Travel planning, research and booking online are all steadily increasing. Studies reveal that travelers are now doing research prior to making reservations online, hunting for the best rates, and many will check through hotel websites.

Several hotel properties have applied “best rate guarantee” or “rate integrity” for those who makes reservations from hotel website. However, this is possibly done when the hotel has a strong brand image and is constantly promoting its website.

Nevertheless, massive numbers of hotels still rely on travel intermediaries to service their online booking. This is not only because developing a reservation system is considered as an immense investment, but also because of website popularity.

Following such an online phenomenon, these hotels will have to decide when would be the best time to have their own website capable of providing real-time reservations. Both the internal and external hotel environment must be reviewed in setting step-by-step strategy.

Mr. Liman, Director of Pelican System comments, “Not only can giant hotels property have a reservation system on hotel’s own website. Pelican has developed advanced features as well as a customizable system to meet the needs of reservation system. With Pelican, independent and small chain hotel properties can also start serving online booking via their own website. This will be a beginning step toward working parallel, at once building a strong brand image in the market and starting to set up a reservation system.”

Mr. Rene Hardmeier, the General Manager of Chaweng Regent Beach Resort says, ”We are maximizing all our distribution channels as best we can. Third-party intermediaries have indeed contributed online reservations, but aside from that we understand that our own website could be the ultimate distribution channel. Moreover, we would like to achieve a stronger brand image for online travelers, so that we don’t get squeezed out by other brands.”

Taking into account the in-depths need of a reservation system, it could actually help a hotel organize all reservation-related issues – not merely reservations themselves. Reservation-related issues could cover payment facilities, customer database management, along with the web promotion engine. Taking the cue from hotels that deal frequently with travel agents, the “Agent Productivity Report” introduced by Pelican system has definitely helped hoteliers monitor their agents.

Ms. Judy Tsang, the General Manager of Panda Hotel says, ”We have experienced the ways that a Reservation system has helped us in managing reservations thoroughly. Managing high-quality hotels require us to design strategies carefully and with careful engineering we are yielding better results. For instance, Pelican System’s rate template feature boosts gives time efficiency and minimizes error in changing rates and distributing them. We use Pelican Reservation System for more than just managing reservations”.

The fact is that a reservation system is a privilege for all kind of hotels. While it is true that not yet that many users make reservations online, with the incremental numbers of recent years it is just a matter of time before online reservations outnumber offline ones. Hoteliers should start reviewing where this stands now and where it will stand for them in the next 5 years.

About Chaweng Regent Beach Resort | Chaweng Regent Beach Resort is located right on the Chaweng Beach, known as the best beach in Koh Samui. The resort is situated only shorts walk away from major tourist attraction such as local restaurants and bars, souvenir shops etc.

Chaweng Regent Beach Resort delivers a unique honeymoon vacation that combines the luxuries of modern executive living with the riches of traditional Thai Culture. With 145 opulent rooms and cottages set in a Thai style village, accommodation choices are aplenty at our deluxe beachfront resort. Depending on your budget and preferences, select from Superior and Deluxe rooms in the Bungalow and Villa Wings, Deluxe Regency, and the most lavish Royal Suites.

About Panda Hotel | Panda Hotel is the nearest city hotel to the Hong Kong International Airport; we provide comfortable accommodation combined with a superb array of Business, Recreational and Dining Facilities.

It is just 20 minutes to the Hong Kong International Airport, 15 minutes to Tsimshatsui and Central. Popular Historical spots are just 10 minutes away while prime Commercial Centres are within walking distance. Complimentary shuttle bus services are offered to and from Tsimshatsui and MongKok.

About Pelican System | Pelican is an Internet-based reservation system designed to manage all types of bookings, whether made directly by guests or through travel agents and corporate clients.

For Internet users (direct guests) Pelican will provide instant confirmation of reservations made through the hotel web site, and will notify the hotel’ reservation department though automatically generated e-mail messages.

For travel agents and corporate clients Pelican offers a feature called “Online Contracting,” which eliminates the need for paper-based, fixed-term contracts, allowing the hotel to set and adjust rates and allotments instantly according to seasonal period, special events, or unexpected demand.

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Linda Husin