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Payments

Online, or internet-based, payments are managed by specialist companies usually known as payment providers or payment gateways. 

All eCommerce websites are linked to a payment provider. When a buyer is ready to pay, the payment provider asks for various details such as Visa, MasterCard, Amex / mobile money / PayPal, and then proceeds to ensure that the details are correct and that the funds are available to meet the purchase amount (this amount may only be a deposit; it does not have to be the full amount). 

Payment providers also do fraud checking. Once the payment is cleared, funds are distributed. 

EasyOTA uses Direct Pay Online or Pesapal as its payment processor / provider. Importantly, Direct Pay Online has the added advantage of being able to settle multiple parties to a given transaction instantly, via their x-Pay network. You, as the product owner, are liable for the payment processor fee on each transaction. Payments are made in real time once the customer payment is confirmed by the payment processing company. The inventory owner, you and EasyOTA each receives their due instantly. 

DPO is the fastest growing and regionally dominant payment providers with thousands of customers in East Africa alone. They carry the highest safety and security classification available globally. DPO customers can transfer funds between themselves instantly and at zero cost. 

Adopting DPO is preferable as this ensures that your monies are received by you instantly. If not, EasyOTA will manage the settlement of monies due fortnightly. 

FAQ

Good to Know about the Online World, Travel eCommerce, and EasyOTA

We present all you need to know about EasyOTA as well as the most often asked questions about Travel eCommerce, the basics of online business.

KNOW ABOUT EASYOTA
FOR PRODUCT OWNERS
FOR THE TRAVEL TRADE
KNOW TRAVEL E-COMMERCE
BASICS OF ONLINE BUSINESS

ABOUT EasyOTA

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What is EasyOTA?
EasyOTA is a new generation online booking software and platform specifically built around the unique needs of African safari and adventure travel. It is for the trade (DMCs, TOs, Agents) as well as owners of camps, lodges, hotels, experiences & activities, transfer providers, car hire companies, and small airlines. This revolutionary technology enables management of inventory and bookings all in one place, 24/7.

EasyOTA makes use of its proprietary simple, responsive, intuitive, and high conversion Online Booking Engine (OBE). It delivers efficient results and superior ‘search to book’ performance. It uniquely has the ability to build and book complete itineraries consisting of accommodation, flights, transfers, vehicle rental, experiences & activities. A system through which customers search, book and pay for their products and services through your website.

What does it achieve?
Product owners will be able to increase their online presence, make their products bookable (plus those from preferred business partners), drive direct bookings as well as allowing their travel trade partners secure access to book their inventory on their net rates, thus growing their efficiencies and revenue. Any of these businesses wishing to lower their distribution costs, take more control of their customers’ journey, up-sell related 3rd party inventory to their customers thereby earning additional revenues, will benefit from EasyOTA.

Trade partners will be able to book (and/or enable their customers, be it public or trade, to book) directly with live availability, instant confirmation, payment and issuing of vouchers. Time and money will be saved, mistakes will be reduced, resulting in better customer service.

Why is EasyOTA referred to as a ‘platform’? What does that mean?
A platform is a group of technologies that are used as a base upon which other applications, processes or technologies are developed. Digital platforms are online businesses that facilitate commercial interactions between at least two different groups—with one typically being suppliers and the other consumers. EasyOTA as a platform enhances the collaboration between end-users and producers to transact with each other.
How does this all work technically?
EasyOTA is a website plug-in, hosted on one of your website’s sub-domains. The customer lands on your website and from there until they check-out, they’re ‘on your site’. All search, select and book processes happen on your EasyOTA plug-in. For safety and security, the actual payment is made seamlessly on Direct Pay Online’s payment page.
The one-time set-up fee is for all my products?
The set-up fee is paid for each type of product. For example if you only offer accommodation you pay the set-up fee only once. But if you also offer transfers, which is a different product, you also pay a set-up fee for that service.
How does the EasyOTA-network work?
Imagine having your own products and services available 24/7 for booking online through other businesses’ websites? EasyOTA enables any travel business to sell via its website not only its own products and services but also those of related, non-competing businesses. For example: how many travellers need transfers as well as accommodation; how many want to go on popular tours and excursions whilst staying at a hotel, and indeed need a transfer to the place of activity?

EasyOTA makes it possible for any business to do this, and to earn commissions in the process. The network effect takes place when your products and services become available through multiple websites, essentially businesses that want to offer their customers your products and services.

Who is responsible for the customer?
Other than the purchase of your own products/services, EasyOTA takes full responsibility for any pre- and post-sales customer management regarding 3rd-party products. In no way are you linked to the sale other than the fact that the 3rd party service/product was accessed through your website. All vouchers issued, and all communication with buyers occurs under the EasyOTA and 3rd party service provider name.
Do I have to invoice manually?
No, you don’t as the system automatically creates and sends the invoice to the purchaser.
Can I ask for deposit payments?
You can set your Terms & Conditions exactly as you wish, also deposit payments.
Who is it for?
EasyOTA is built for the unique needs of product owners (accommodations, transfer and activities providers, car rental companies, small airlines) and travel trade partners (DMC’s, tour operators, travel agents) in the African safari industry.
In what way will using EasyOTA save me money?
By increasing direct bookings online, a product owner will be less dependent on OTA’s such as booking.com which charge huge commissions. Automating bookings will also result in less manual work, thus lowering distribution costs.
Is EasyOTA a travel agent?
No, EasyOTA is not a travel agent. It is an online platform designed to enable the building and booking of safaris and other adventure travel experiences.
What do I pay to EasyOTA?
EasyOTA doesn’t charge fixed monthly fees, but only a once-off set-up fee and a small commission on sales.

For Product Owners: All businesses are subject to a once-off set-up fee that is charged per service, starting at USD$150; the average set-up fee is $280 per business or product. This fee gives you a white label, turnkey, ready-to-go booking platform where your customers can book your products and services, as well as those of your preferred third party suppliers, to build their itineraries.

As for commissions payable: No bookings, no payment. Our model works on a commission basis, where each channel attracts a different commission structure. Depending on your type of business and volumes, we have a sliding scale with earnings caps. Our starting point is a fraction, usually 1/3 of agents’ commissions. Our rate scale reduces as turnover climbs, with a cap being implemented.

For the Travel Trade: Set-up fee of the platform for Agents, Tour Operators, and DMCs: from $1760.00. The once-off set-up fee gives you a white label platform, turnkey, with custom emails and vouchers, DPO Integration, 100 Hotels, 20 Activities, 100 point-to-point transfers, daily vehicle and driver hire up to 25 vehicles, domestic flights at EasyOTA rates, 15 B2B agents and 3 User Licences.

Will my staff be trained?
Yes, we will train your staff as part of our set up process. We will also conduct refresher training as required. At no cost to you.
Who chooses the 3rd parties that I sell?
You will choose yourself which category(ies) is/are sold on your website (Hotels, Flights, Car Hire, Transfers, Experiences Activities), as well as the providers within each category.
How do I receive my payment?
Online, or internet-based payments are managed by specialist companies called online payment providers, payment processors, and payment gateways amongst other names.

When a buyer is ready to pay, the payment provider asks for various details such as Visa, Mastercard, Amex / mobile money / PayPal, proceeds to ensure that the details are correct and that the funds are available to meet the purchase amount. Payment providers also do some fraud checking.

EasyOTA uses Direct Pay Online or Pesapal as its payment provider. Payments are made in real time once the customer payment is confirmed by the payment provider. By Direct Pay’s X-Pay network, the inventory owner, any third-party additions to the clients itinerary and EasyOTA, each receives their payment instantly, including any commission splits agreed to.

Do I need an online payment provider?
Yes you need an online payment provider, preferably Direct Pay Online. DPO does a basic fraude check so you don’t have to check the client’s credit card details.
Can I give credit to the purchaser?
As you can set your Terms & Conditions exactly as you wish, you also can give credit to your preferred business partners.

PRODUCT OWNERS

What can EasyOTA mean for you?
Product owners will be able to increase their online presence, make their products bookable (plus those from preferred business partners), drive direct bookings as well as allowing their travel trade partners secure access to book their inventory on their net rates, thus growing their efficiencies and revenue. Any of these businesses wishing to lower their distribution costs, take more control of their customers’ journey, up-sell related 3rd party inventory to their customers thereby earning additional revenues, will benefit from EasyOTA.
Which reservations systems can link EasyOTA to?
For Hotels, EasyOTA integrates directly with channel managers/reservation systems such as ResRequest, Nightsbridge, ResPad, Receptionbook, Siteminder, Ezee, as well as the global switch Hyperguest.

For Airlines, EasyOTA integrates with AeroCRS, Videcom and Flightbook. Flightbook is owned by EasyOTA and is perfect for small local / regional airlines to manage their inventory.

For Experiences, Activities, Car Hire, and Transfers EasyOTA will provide its own inventory management system for you to use.

How do I manage my rates and inventory?
As a hotel owner, you manage your rates and inventory through either your PMS (Property Management System) or CM (Channel Manager) as usual. EasyOTA has connections with ResRequest, Nightsbridge, ResPad, Receptionbook, Siteminder, Ezee, and many others through its association with the global Hyperguest link.

For airlines, EasyOTA integrates with AeroCRS, Videcom and Flightbook. Flightbook is owned by EasyOTA and we are therefore able to offer small airlines and charter businesses an inventory management system.

For any other category of service, EasyOTA has inventory management capability and will set your products and services up. For these service providers, as an added benefit, you will be able to utilise the EasyOTA system to manage all of your bookings, whether from online or offline sources.

I already have live booking on my website. Why should I change to EasyOTA?
The usual live booking engine can only sell your main product (accommodation, car hire, transport, activities). EasyOTA allows you to sell other related products/services like transfers, activities, domestic flights, be it as your own product or as a product from your preferred non-competitive business partner. You can thus offer your client a better buying experience/service, and at the same time increase turnover from added products and commissions.
What can I sell?
You can sell your own travel products and services, also your ‘extras’, and also those of your preferred business partners.
How can I earn extra money with products from my partners on my website?
By selling products from your partners, you can earn commissions on these sales. But by offering the purchaser the possibility to buy all services that he needs in one step, you also give a better customer service and with that more trust in your website. Potential purchases will therefore book easier on your site than that of your competitor.
Is it secure?
The system is absolutely secure as you have your private login details. In your personal dashboard you can give access to your co-workers/staff with their corresponding administrative roles.
Will my trade tariffs stay confidential?
Yes, your trade tariffs are secure. On your website will only appear the rates (normally rack) which you set yourself in your reservations system. The trade tariffs that you have agreed with a DMC or agent are only accessible by that DMC/agent alone with a secure login (the DMC/agent sets his own password).
What is access to my live availability?
This is checking which rooms/flights/activities you have available in real time.
Do I have to update my inventory manually?
No, your inventory is updated automatically by your reservation system/channel manager. Only in case you don’t have a reservation system and EasyOTA sets up an extranet for you, you have to do it manually.
What if the system overbooks?
This cannot happen as your inventory is only accessed through your booking system; no bookings will be made outside of that.
Can my client change a provisional to a confirmed booking himself?
Yes, as long as the client (whether customer or trade) meets your requirements for making a confirmed booking.
Can I put release conditions?
Release conditions form part of the buyer/supplier contract. The system cannot auto release a provisional booking. The system will automatically ‘chase’ via emails to both supplier and buyer approaching release dates.
As a hotel owner, can I take restaurant bookings?
Yes, you can sell meals in your own restaurant, or that from a preferred business partner. The EasyOTA system will require that you make a number of seats / tables available at specific times. Let the team talk you through this.
Why would using EasyOTA create higher margins?
Using EasyOTA makes it possible to receive more direct bookings with a much lower commission to EasyOTA then you would sell the same product through an OTA such as booking.com. Moreover by automating your bookings you have less manual work, thus less distribution costs.
What if I don’t have a reservation system for my business?
EasyOTA will set-up an extranet where you can manage rates and inventory. As an added benefit, you will be able to utilise the EasyOTA system to manage all of your bookings, whether from online or offline sources.
How can I offer my products/services to both Trade and Travelers?
For each channel you can set-up different rates. Upon using the booking engine on your website, the traveler sees the rate you have set for him (usually Rack rate). Your trade partners can use the booking engine with a private, secured login, and book against your agreed rates.
Can I add extras to my product/service?
Yes, this is the beauty of EasyOTA. Internal or external companies can be contracted by you and made available to book in conjunction with their hotel stay, restaurant booking etc.
Do I have to own the products and services people buy?
No, you can sell your own products and services, but also those of your preferred business partners.
How can my loyal DMC’s profit from me going online?
Your local DMC’s will be able to check availability, make provisional and confirmed bookings, and get their vouchers just in an instant, which allows them to offer a much faster and efficient service to their clients.
Who will be able to see my rates?
On your own website will only appear the rates which you set your direct clients in your reservations system. The trade tariffs that you have agreed with an agent are only accessible by that agent alone with a secure login (the agent sets his own password).
What do you mean by an itinerary?
A plan of travel with places to visit, accommodations to stay in, a choice of transport and activities, that a purchaser can set-up with the EasyOTA booking engine, book provisionally and confirm.
How can I give access to my live availability?
You give EasyOTA access to your live availability by letting us link our system to your booking system or channel manager
Do I still have control over my inventory?
You have total control over your inventory as you manage it as usual through your reservation system.
Does the system allow provisional bookings?
Yes, the system allows for provisional bookings.
Does the system automatically release provisional bookings?
No, provisional booking releases can only be made by the supplier. The EasyOTA system is able to send ‘chase’ messages alerting both buyer and seller to the approaching release date for a booking.
As a restaurant owner, can I sell transfers to my restaurant?
Yes, you can sell transfers to your restaurants, as a product of your own company (with your own transport) or as a product of a preferred business partner.
Can my own foreign and local agents book my hotels and experiences?
Yes, you can give them access to your availability and your agreed rates with an agent login.

TRAVEL TRADE

What can EasyOTA mean to you?
Whether you are a DMC, tour operator or travel agent, by using EasyOTA you enable your own consultants ánd your customers (B2B as well as B2C) to book directly with instant confirmations, 24/7. Guests book at the retail or rack rate, whilst the trade book at their preferred or agreed rate (trade partners will be given a password protected login to the EasyOTA system).

In only an instant, guests/agents can book accommodation, experiences, transfers, flights or rental cars. Upon completing a booking, instant confirmation/s and vouchers/tickets are sent automatically to the guest/agent by the system via email. Each of the businesses with whom the guest/agent made a booking is notified instantly via email. By using EasyOTA you will save time, save money, reduce frustrations and mistakes, for all your stakeholders.

What is the advantage for the supplier?
The supplier, whether an accommodation, activity, transfer and transport provider, or airline, will be easily bookable, 24/7, to all customers, B2B ánd B2C, on the websites of their trade partners, allowing access to their live availability. The supplier will receive upon booking instantly all booking details and, if applicable, (part) payment, while the system automatically sends out vouchers to the guest/trade partner. The supplier thus reduces his distribution costs and enables fast and secure booking.
How will EasyOTA know what the service provider's special rates are for me as a DMC/ tour operator?
Your accommodation providers/flight providers are able to set up in their reservation systems different rate cards for their business partners. This is the rate that’ll be ‘authorised’ by them to be fed. If they do not wish to do this, the booking engine can change (for example) a rack rate feed to match your contract rates. In the case of accommodation, if we do not have a direct integration with their reservation system, we will set up an allocation with relevant authorised pricing on an extranet.
How does online planning and booking for a DMC work?
Each DMC consultant can access the EasyOTA platform with a personal login, in order to check availability, make provisional and confirmed bookings. Upon completing a booking, the consultant receives instant confirmation and vouchers by mail. Bookings are done against the agreed rates and conditions with each supplier.
Is it secure?
The system is absolutely secure as each party has its private login details. In your personal dashboard you can give access to your co-workers/staff with their corresponding administrative roles.
Can I change a provisional to a confirmed booking myself?
Yes, as long as you meet the supplier’s requirements for making a confirmed booking.
How can this system be advantageous for my service to my (trade) clients?
As DMC, booking instantly 24/7 the requested services, you will be able to service your (trade) clients within hours instead of within days, stimulating the final sales. If desired, you can give your trade partners private access to the system, thus enabling them to book the services directly against your agreed rates.
Will my EasyOTA platform be public?
If a DMC uses EasyOTA, its platform will not be public. The DMC grants its preferred trade partners a password protected login to the platform. Agreed rates and conditions will only be accessible to the 2 parties.

A tour operator or travel agent using EasyOTA will have a public platform, to be used by the public or their trade partners. Guests book at the retail or rack rate, whilst the trade book at their preferred or agreed rate (trade partners will be given a password protected login to the EasyOTA system)

How are accommodation promotions applied? For example, stay 4 pay 3?
As with the point above, most accommodation owners manage these promotions out of their reservation systems and these are presented by the booking engine. Again, the booking engine can also be set up to present many promotions.
Can my travel desk take bookings on EasyOTA
Yes, a travel desk can obtain a secured password login from their preferred tour operator or DMC to make instant bookings against their agreed rates and conditions.
Does the system allow provisional bookings?
Yes, the system allows for provisional bookings.
Does the system automatically release provisional bookings?
No, provisional booking releases can only be made by the supplier. The EasyOTA system is able to send ‘chase’ messages alerting both buyer and seller to the approaching release date for a booking.

E-COMMERCE – If you are new to online

What is e-commerce?
The term electronic commerce (ecommerce) refers to the buying and selling of goods or services via the internet, and the transfer of money and data to complete the sales. E-commerce can be conducted over computers, tablets, smartphones, and other smart devices.
Which part of the market will be interested in online travel booking?
Though in all countries and age groups online travel booking is getting more and more important, it will be especially the younger generations that you can target by going online. They are frequent mobile users and digital content consumers, so turning to online resources for trip inspiration and planning makes sense with their overall behaviors and preferences, and we expect this reliance on digital will continue in the years ahead.
Why is there so few online booking in the safari industry?
Basically, because there was no access to the right technology. Nno business has designed and built the right technology and Online Booking Platform for the safari industry with its unique and very real challenges. And nor has any specialist marketer offered the right services in the right combinations to act as the ‘safari guide’. Until now…

But there are other, more subjective reasons, such as the belief that a safari is too complex to sell online, that safaris are tailor made and therefore need massive amounts of customer attention. That a safari is logistically too complex and that it’s not possible to build a full safari itinerary online with all logistical / park fee requirements being met. Then there is the doubt that the levels of personal service cannot be given online, and mostly, there is fear of structural change, fear of disturbing the set relations with travel partners. Read on to get more insight into the above points in the blog:

The Safari industry is not online for bookings. What has this to do with a bungy jump? 5 hurdles to success.

How to make your online booking engine work for you?
The key is simplicity, context and value. Your online booking engine needs to add value for the customer – real value. Just to be able to search does not necessarily add value for the customer. It’s the quality of the results that add real value. Read on for some tips in our blog:

How to make your online booking engine work for you?

How do I convert the interested visitor on my website into a buyer?
After having created an emotional connection with the customer and having offered him an exciting experience, you want to mould this online travel experience to be even more satisfying. First you need to lay down a value proposition for your business and/or website, a short, to the point statement that explains what value you’re adding to the
customer’s life with your product or service.

Second, it’s all about well-structured content. This is not just the foundation of a quality website, but also sets the stage for tools, such as online booking engines, to drive online conversions. If the content is lacking substance or is confusing, the customer can get confused and lose interest. Read more in our blog:

Making the sale: Value Propositions & Conversions

What is an e-commerce optimised website?
E-commerce optimization refers to the processes, design, usability, flow and presentation of relevant information that need to be considered to ensure that consumers will receive all the right signals, thus ensuring they move from ‘browsers’ to ‘buyers’ to ‘payers’.
Why should my website be mobile-friendly?
Depending on the target audience and their goals, your website needs to be accessible from anywhere in the world, on any device such as tablets or mobile phones. If important content such as the online booking engine is not accessible from different devices it will not only negatively impact the customer’s experience but also conversions. Globally, 68.1% of all website visits in 2020 came from mobile devices—so be prepared!
Why do I have to go online?
As technology evolves daily, so does the way consumers buy products online. With such advanced e-commerce development, the majority of customers expect online booking options. By offering basic e-commerce options, you’ll create a level of professionalism and industry differentiation with the customer. Stay relevant – don’t get left behind.

Travel buying continues to transition from face to face consultations to the purchase of customised travel itineraries online. Choice, the ability to compare, and immediacy of confirmation drive this consumer-led demand. Ideas, exploring destinations, building an itinerary or choosing from a variety of available holiday packages tailored for specific needs, all through a mobile device or personal computer, has made selling online travel a highly competitive industry. Almost 50% of all travel related purchases globally are online, with some markets approaching 80% for leisure related travel.

With no limitation of a brick and mortar store with office hours, any customer across the globe, irrespective of their time zone, can make an online travel booking. By giving the customer the option to make an online travel purchase any time that suits them, you can greatly increase sales.

Also the Covid-19 pandemic has taught us the easiness and safety of buying online. People became used to buying things online and continue to do so. Actually, travel partners who are digitally selling have been able to recover business faster than others who haven’t gotten into this game successfully.

Competing without is not an option. African travel businesses need to offer their products and services in ways and through channels demanded by today’s consumers. These customers demand e-commerce capability from you if they are to purchase. It’s a trust and reputation issue.

Why should I focus on selling directly to the client?
By selling directly to the client, you will be able to avoid huge commissions to OTA’s or other travel partners, increasing your turnover significantly. Moreover, there is a worldwide travel trend to focus more on sustainability, which means that customers, especially the younger generations, want to support local companies with a direct line.
How can my website stand out in this very competitive online travel market?
As a small business owner, it’s not always easy to differentiate from your competitors. Basic offerings, location, views, local cuisine and service is usually quite similar. So what is your competitive advantage?

Knowing who your target audience is, what they’re looking for and how their decision-making process is influenced will guarantee an increase in online bookings. To get there you have to build a relationship with your customer, to express loyalty, trust or quality. Reado on about some high-level concepts on how to build an emotional relationship with the customer and how to keep that relationship going, in our blog:

About Your Competitive Advantage

How to guide the customer in their decision-making process?
The typical decision-making process, when buying travel products or services, is primarily the same for both B2B & B2C. It’s the type of content & available offers that drive each of these independently through the decision-making process. The decision making process consists of 5 consecutive steps to make on online purchase:
– Interest
– Booking flow
– ?
– ?
– ?
Read more on this topic in our blog:

Know how buyers make decisions

Why is a specialized booking engine so important?
Some customers like what they see on your website, but this is always more than the number of people who book / buy. Why? Availability OR a poor on-site experience as a result of a non-specialised Booking Engine. It is a well known fact that a poor search, select, book and check-out experience is one of the primary reasons for users not completing their on-line purchase. Check-out which affect a poor booking engine or a website not well optimized can have in your sales funnel in our blog:

Why a specialised booking engine? – the Sales Funnel effect.

Why is website e-commerce optimisation important?
Think of it like this: would you buy from someone or a business you do not trust? What goes into building trust? Now think about this in the context of on-line commerce, where there is no human interaction to help build the trust, to explain things, answer questions, allay fears.

Optimisation addresses a number of facets from the way a website looks, what and how information is presented, where each bit of information is presented, the process of searching the website, how the results are displayed, and importantly, the processes the consumer is taken through until check-out.

Optimisation ultimately talks to TRUST. What trust signals do you give your customers?

Is e-commerce safe?
Security is quite possibly the most important feature of an e-commerce website, or at least it should be. Without proper security, online business owners put themselves, their brand, and their customers at risk of suffering fraud or identity theft. Not to mention leaked credit card details can put a dent in your accounts, resulting in huge casualties for your business.

How to secure your e-commerce website?
1. Choose a secure web host and eCommerce platform
2. Get an SSL certificate
3. Perform regular SQL checks
4. Leave payment and data processing to the experts
5. Keep your website updated and patched
6. Monitor what you download and integrate
7. Regularly back up your website data
8. Get and use a website application firewall

eCommerce security are the guidelines that ensure safe transactions through the internet. It consists of protocols that safeguard people who engage in online selling and buying of goods and services. EasyOTA secures our and your customers’ trust by putting in place the following eCommerce security basics:
● pciDSS global security accreditation for all your confidential information. We do not have site of, nor do we store any of your confidential payment information.
● GDPRS compliance means your information is used only for the purpose intended when using our booking portal.

ABC OF DOING BUSINESS ONLINE

What is an online business?
Online business or e-business is any kind of business activity that happens over the internet. Running an online business can include buying and selling online or providing an online service.
What is content on a website?
Web content is the textual, visual, or aural content that is encountered as part of the user experience on websites. It may include—among other things—text, images, sounds, videos, and animations.
What is a channel manager?
A channel manager is a tool that will allow you to sell all your rooms on all your connected booking sites at the same time. It will automatically update your availability in real-time on all sites when a booking is made, when you close a room to sale, or when you want to make bulk changes to your inventory.
What is a PMS?
Hotel property management systems (PMS) manage all aspects of hotel business operations, including the delivery of superior guest experiences. Traditionally, a hotel PMS was defined as software that enabled a hotel or group of hotels to manage front-office capabilities, such as booking reservations, guest check-in/checkout, room assignment, managing room rates, and billing. A hotel PMS replaced time consuming, paper-intensive processes. Today, hotel PMS technology has evolved well beyond the front desk. A hotel PMS is now a critical business operations system that enables hoteliers to deliver amazing guest experiences.
What is an API?
API stands for Application Programming Interface, which is a software intermediary that allows two applications to talk to each other. Each time you use an app like Facebook, send an instant message, or check the weather on your phone, you’re using an API.
What is white label?
In the digital world, white labeling is when your company purchases a white label company’s services and presents them to the customer under your brand name.
What is a sales funnel?
A sales funnel is the marketing term for the journey potential customers go through on the way to purchase. A sales funnel helps you understand what potential customers are thinking and doing at each stage of the purchasing journey. These insights allow you to invest in the right marketing activities and channels, create the most relevant messaging during each stage and turn more prospects into paying customers.

From the moment prospects hear about your product or service until the moment they make a purchase (or don’t), they pass through different stages of your sales funnel. In general, there are four main stages:

Stage 1: Awareness
Stage 2: Interest
Stage 3: Decision
Stage 4: Action

What is a server?
A server is a computer that serves many kinds of information to a user or client machine. A server can also host internet games, share files, and give access to peripheral equipment such as printers. In simple words, the individual computers are connected to some powerful computers called servers.
What is a web-based booking platform?
Also named an online booking system, which is a software solution that allows potential guests to self-book and pay through your website, and other channels, while giving you the best tools to run and scale your operation, all in one place.
What is inventory?
Inventory refers to a company’s products and services that are ready to sell. For example, in the hospitality industry, inventory is the number of rooms available for a hotel to sell or distribute across all channels. But inventory can also be the number of vehicles for a rental car company, or the seats available on a transfer of activity.
What is an OBE?
OBE stands for Online Booking Engine, which works by plugging into your hotel website and processing secure online reservations made through the website. The booking engine displays your rates and availability in real-time and allows guests to select their dates and finalise the reservation.
What is an OTA?
An online travel agency (OTA) is a web-based marketplace that allows consumers to research and book travel products and services, including hotels, flights, cars, tours, cruises, activities and more, directly with travel suppliers.
What is an online payment provider?
An online payment provider, or payment service provider (PSP), is a third-party company that assists businesses to accept a wide range of online payment methods, such as online banking, credit cards, debit cards, e-wallets, cash cards, and more.
What is a distribution channel?
A distribution channel is a chain of businesses or intermediaries through which a good or service passes until it reaches the final buyer or the end consumer. Distribution channels can include wholesalers, retailers, distributors, and the internet.
What is the difference between a domain, a URL, a website, an email?
Domain: A domain name is an internet resource name. It locates an organization or other entity on the Internet. In general, a domain name is an address via which internet users can access your website. The Domain names are assigned as per the rules and procedures of the Domain Name System (DNS protocol).

URL: A URL (aka Universal Resource Locator) is a complete web address used to find a particular web page. While the domain is the name of the website, a URL will lead to any one of the pages within the website. Your domain name is included in the URL, but a domain is not the same thing as a URL.

Website: Set of related web pages located under a single domain name, typically produced by a single person or organization, and published on at least one web server.

Email: Email is a system of sending written messages electronically from one computer to another. Email is an abbreviation of ‘electronic mail’.

What means “online channel management strategy”?
Online channel management is a marketing management activity that involves handling the different streams employed by a company to sell its products or services online. It can be defined as the set of strategies utilized by a company to administrate its different online distribution channels.