Reservation Management: 6 mistakes that could be costing you guests and revenue.

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Reservation management is at the heart of any hotel's operations. When done efficiently, it ensures balanced occupancy, maximizes revenue, and improves the guest experience. But when there are flaws in this process, danger arises and the result is lost money, rework, and even negative reviews.

Below, we list six common mistakes in reservation management that may be hurting your hotel and how you can avoid them.

1. Lack of integration between sales channels

Managing reservations manually on different OTAs (Booking, Expedia, etc.) is a huge risk. The infamous overbooking (when two guests book the same room) causes frustration, damage to reputation, and extra costs to relocate customers.

How to avoid it: Use a complete PMS such as Erbon's, with an integrated Channel Manager, which automatically updates availability across all channels.

2. Not having a dynamic pricing strategy

Charging the same price throughout the year is a classic mistake. This reduces competitiveness in the low season and causes the hotel to lose revenue during periods of high demand.

How to avoid it: Invest in a system that allows for smart pricing management and real-time updates.

3. Lack of centralization of direct bookings

Many hotels still rely almost exclusively on OTAs, paying high commissions and missing out on the opportunity to build customer loyalty.

How to avoid it: Invest in your own booking engine, integrated with the hotel's website and connected to the PMS, to increase direct sales and profit margins. 

Another tip here is to adopt good digital marketing strategies.

4. Inefficient communication with guests

Failing to send immediate confirmation or clear booking information can cause uncertainty for customers and even lead to cancellations. The wait can cause significant financial damage and generate complaints.

How to avoid it: Automate the sending of confirmation emails and messages, reducing human error and offering a more professional experience.

5. Not tracking metrics and reports

Without up-to-date data on occupancy rates, most profitable sales channels, or cancellation rates, the hotel ends up making decisions in the dark.

How to avoid it: Use real-time reports and dashboards to analyze results and adjust your strategy quickly.

6. Lack of integration between reservations and other areas of the hotel

Reservations that do not communicate with departments such as reception, housekeeping, and finance lead to operational failures, from unprepared rooms to billing inconsistencies.

How to avoid it: Use a comprehensive PMS such as the one offered by Erbon, which centralizes operations and ensures that all areas have the right information at the right time.

Avoiding these mistakes is essential to reducing costs, increasing profitability, and improving guest satisfaction. With automation and the right technology, reservation management is no longer a problem but a great opportunity for growth.

💡 Want to know how Erbon can transform your hotel's reservation management?

Schedule a personalized demo and find out how to simplify processes, reduce errors, and increase your revenue.

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