HeBS digital Blog

For several years now, the Internat has become the #1 distribution channel for many of our clients. The recent TravelCLICK eTrack report shows clearly that in 2006 the Internet has also become the main distribution channel for all major hotel brands:

Major Hotel Brand CRS Reservations in 2006:
Brand website:             38.3% +20.2%
Brand GDS Bookings:    35.6% +5.1%
Brand Voice Bookings:  26.1% -1.5%

The Internet channel enjoys much higher growth rates than the GDS or voice channels.

Direct vs. Indirect Online Channel:
Most remarkable is the fact that the Internet Channel wars between hoteliers and online intermediaries have been won in a most decisive way by the major hotel brands:
________________Direct                  Indirect___________________
2006 Major Brands:   81.4%                  18.6%
Hilton:                     90%                      10%
Marriott:                 85%                       15%
US Hospitality 2007  60%                       40%

What are your thoughts of the shift from offline to online channel as well as from indirect to direct online distribution?