As competition diversifies, Booking.com remains top hotel channel

According to a report from SiteMinder, Booking.com brings in the highest total booking revenue to hotels, though a new crop of third-party channels is diversifying the space.

The channel management platform analyzed more than 87 million online bookings in 2018 to identify the top 12 hotel booking revenue makers in major travel destinations around the globe.

With the exception of the United States - where Expedia was the top revenue-generating channel for hotels - each region saw Booking.com at the top of the list.

Though major channels such as Expedia, Hotelbeds, hotel websites and global distribution systems figured prominently in the lists, almost 20 other booking channels also made their debuts.

SiteMinder managing director Mike Ford says the diversity of the lists is “indicative of a booking landscape that has exploded in recent years and is showing no signs of slowing.”

He continues: “This year we found almost 20 instances of booking channels making a first-time appearance in our lists. So, while the more popular brands continue to dominate, we are seeing a broader range of players emerging.

“This trend reflects not only the ever-growing list of options now available to travelers booking their stay, but the subsequent need for hotels to be on more booking channels than ever to keep up with today’s endless paths-to-purchase.”