A recent survey conducted by the University of Venice’s “Ca`Foscari Formazione e Ricerche SRL” of Ca`Foscari researching requested features for PMS software has shown some interesting results indicating that professional assistance and customer care is one of the most important features that Hoteliers are willing to pay for…
A recent survey conducted by the University of Venice’s “Ca`Foscari Formazione e Ricerche SRL” of Ca`Foscari researching requested features for PMS software has shown some interesting results indicating that professional assistance and customer care is one of the most important features that Hoteliers are willing to pay for. The survey was based on 200 respondents between Italian Hoteliers & Decision Markers.
When Italian Hoteliers decide which Property Management Systems software to invest in, they are most interested in the PMS’s online booking engine which they can integrate into their own website and a complete, qualified, professional support network to assist them and to help them. Whether the business is a family-run business or a large hotel group or chain, it appears clearly that delivering a reliable and professional support service is one of aspects they are willing to pay for the most.
The survey’s key findings highlight Italian Hotelier’s expectations and standards when deciding which PMS to invest in for their business.
The survey questions addressed specifically to hotels and chains managers were focused on the most sought after features in Hotel PMS software, and which features the respondents were most willing to pay for.
Key Findings
According to the survey results online booking engine and revenue management integration in Hotel PMS Solutions will continue to be fundamental in choosing any hotel property management software.
Management control, sales management and reporting take the third and fourth place in order of importance.
Channel Management (IDS management) is 5th in importance. Meanwhile, Integrated Mailing System and GDS Integration and Management seem to be least important and therefore take the 6th and 7th position in order of priority.
It’s important to point out that the 200 respondents interviewed in the survey could pick up one or more options among the features.
The following are the survey’s main key findings.
So what are the 7 most important features in a PMS for Italian hoteliers? (200 respondents)
- Online Booking Engine integration (58% )
- Revenue Management integration in the PMS (51%)
- Management Control and Sales (46%)
- Detailed Reporting system (39,50%)
- IDS Integration & Management (34,50%)
- Integrated Mailing System (33%)
- GDS Integration & Management (27,5)
What Are you willing to pay more for in a PMS Products? (200 respondents)
Answers :
|
Qualified and Notch Assistence |
75 |
|
Reliability |
70 |
|
Possibility of Customization of the product |
52 |
|
Completeness |
37 |
|
Consultancy for optimal Use |
11 |
|
Brand |
5 |
What Top Requested Online Integrations? (200 respondents)
Answers:
|
WebSite Booking Engine |
189 |
|
IDS |
149 |
|
GDS |
94 |
According to the key findings, online booking engine integration is the top requested feature for a PMS; In fact, the possibility to register reservations directly from the hotel’s website, allowing a real time update in PMS thus reducing management times and errors during the reservation process is always becoming more vital for hoteliers.
To have one single system to manage tasks within hotels PMS, revenue management and web reservations through the online sales channels (direct booking through website booking engine, IDS and GDS channels) appears to be the easiest and fastest solution for a hospitality business management.
When asked “What Are you willing to pay more for in a PMS product?” The main answers were Qualified Top Notch Assistance (75 over 200) and Reliability (70 over 200).
Qualified top-notch assistance appears to be the most paid-for feature for the Italian Hoteliers & Decision Makers, followed by reliability and the possibility of customization of the product, while brand name seem to be a much less important aspect influencing choice of a PMS Solution.
Knowing that hotel channel management and website booking engine integration are both undoubtedly very important features when choosing a Property Management System, the survey shows that when specifically questioned regarding both aspects, direct website booking engine integration is more important. In fact, when asked about the “Top requested Online Integrations” the majority of respondents answered: their website’s booking engine (189 over 200), while 149 respondents answered IDS channels and only 94 answered GDS.
As a conclusion, Online booking engine integration remains the top feature for Italian Hoteliers in Property Management Systems choice.
Source: GP Hotel Service SPA – A leading company specialised in hospitality application and technology solutions for the hotel and hospitality industry
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
