We all know that the hotel industry is facing a series of challenges - some large, some less so - around its sales and distribution strategy.
Digitalization and new technology influences a lot of the decisions that hotel groups have to make every day.
Plus they operate in an environment where powerful intermediaries hold considerable influence over who comes to stay in a property.
Yet perhaps the apparent "problem" with online travel agencies is not as pronounced as some might say or, indeed, hotels have figured out a way to keep the ecosystem finely balanced for their own benefit.
We convened three execs from three leading hotel chains for a panel discussion at the recent ITB exhibition in Berlin.
- Maud Bailly, chief digital officer at AccorHotels Group
- Chinmai Sharma, chief revenue officer at Taj Hotels Palaces Resorts Safaris (Indian Hotels Group
- Carole Tahar, chief digital officer at Louvre Hotels
The 45-minute session shines a light on how their respective distribution strategies are formed, how they handle the sometimes delicate relationship with OTAs, and their approach to direct bookings.
Here more from Maud Bailly of Accor Hotes Group
We also discuss if Airbnb can be a viable and valuable new distribution channel for the hotel sector generally.
Here is a clip of the session:
ITB Hospitality Distribution Panel 2018