Is it worth making hotel booking apps in 2023? Opinion of business owners

Last minute hotel booking apps: which one to choose

The services booking app market has experienced significant international growth due to the ever-increasing demand for travel. Despite the adverse impact of the global pandemic on the industry, there is a prevailing sense of optimism regarding future prospects. With this in mind, it is an opportune moment to initiate the app development journey in order to be well-prepared for peak periods. Like any other undertaking, the development process for a hotel industry app commences by establishing its core purpose and objectives.

Consider one of the following app types that are already functional in the hotel industry:

– Tailored applications designed exclusively for hotels and hotel chains serve as efficient tools for guests. These apps facilitate hassle-free room reservations, secure prepayments, and seamless access to additional services. Notably, prominent upscale hotel chains often invest in developing and maintaining their own customized apps, ensuring a personalized and luxurious experience.

– Travel agent apps, on the other hand, prioritize the holistic travel experience by encompassing transportation and leisure options alongside hotel bookings. These comprehensive platforms prove invaluable to tourists, especially in unfamiliar surroundings or foreign language environments. Noteworthy features of these all-in-one tools include robust ranking systems and feedback mechanisms, empowering travelers with reliable insights and recommendations.

– Aggregator apps, resembling travel agents in functionality, concentrate specifically on hotel accommodations. By adopting this narrower focus, aggregators offer a broader selection of options, allowing users to explore a diverse range of hotels and their unique attributes. Additionally, these apps often provide budgeting features and tailor-made discounts tailored to individual preferences, maximizing convenience and affordability for users.

Each of these app types brings distinct advantages to the hotel industry, catering to the diverse needs and preferences of travelers worldwide.

Hotel booking apps specifics

Let’s go through the process of making hotel booking apps.

A custom app

A seamless user experience, encompassing smooth functionality and fast loading times, is equally vital. The app should seamlessly align with the brand, reflecting its design aesthetics and embodying its core values and concepts. Moreover, hotel booking apps should be compatible with various devices and operating systems to ensure broad accessibility for users.

Accuracy is paramount when it comes to a custom hotel app, particularly concerning occupancy details and available services. By providing reliable and up-to-date information, customers can access pertinent data without encountering any issues or delays during their travel journey. This accuracy fosters trust and confidence in the app, resulting in a positive user experience and a greater likelihood of repeat bookings.

Travel app development

The creation of a travel app involves determining its specific target distribution area. Developing an international app demands substantial investments in terms of language support, data availability, information localization, and establishing partnerships with local service providers. Furthermore, defining the inherent value proposition of the app is crucial. For example, if the app aims to provide cost savings, it should feature robust filtering options based on price and consistently offer discounted deals. Additionally, incorporating a customer support feature that enables the swift resolution of urgent issues can enhance the overall user experience.

By focusing on user-centric design, comprehensive service integration, and strategic value offerings, a well-crafted travel app can attract a wide user base, foster user loyalty, and establish itself as a go-to resource for travelers seeking convenience, savings, and memorable experiences.

Aggregator mobile app

An aggregator app serves as an intermediary solution, bridging the gap between a custom app developed for a specific hotel chain and a comprehensive travel app. Its primary function is to provide users with a wide selection of hotels to choose from. However, an aggregator app can expand its offerings by including apartment and house rentals, thereby catering to a broader range of accommodation preferences.

When developing an aggregator app, it is crucial to strike a balance between the variety of offers available and the specific demands of customers. Understanding customer preferences for accommodation based on the purpose of travel becomes essential. For example, for business travel, the app may prioritize hotel options, potentially allowing users to book multiple rooms simultaneously to accommodate their needs.

Creating an aggregator app involves meticulous planning and assessment of customer preferences, considering factors such as location, amenities, pricing, and user ratings. By providing a diverse range of options while ensuring a seamless user experience, the aggregator app can become a go-to platform for users seeking convenient and tailored accommodation choices.

9 ways of how mobile apps can assist you in growing a hotel business.

Here are nine ways in which mobile apps can effectively contribute to the growth of your hotel business:

Enhancing the reservation experience for customers

Hotel apps revolutionize the pre-booking process, providing users with comprehensive information about room availability and amenities. By simplifying the reservation process, guests can effortlessly book their preferred accommodations, saving valuable time and reducing the likelihood of disappointment during peak seasons.

Boosting hotel promotion efforts

Effective hotel marketing is essential for establishing brand awareness and staying competitive in the industry. Mobile apps offer an excellent platform for showcasing your hotel’s unique features, promoting special offers, and engaging with potential guests in real-time.

Offering tour guidance services

Travelers often seek information about local attractions, restaurants, and shopping options when visiting a new destination. By integrating tour guidance features into your app, you can provide valuable recommendations, detailed information, and even interactive maps to help guests explore and navigate the surroundings.

Overcoming language barriers

Language barriers can be a challenge for international travelers. By incorporating language adoption features in your app, such as multilingual support and translations, you can provide essential information in the user’s native language. This not only enhances user experience but also broadens your app’s appeal to a wider audience.

Managing customer relationships

Mobile apps enable you to gather crucial customer data and personalize interactions with guests. By collecting information about their preferences and satisfaction levels, you can refine your services, tailor marketing strategies, and ensure a memorable experience for each guest.

Facilitating personalized communication

Effective communication is key to providing exceptional customer service. By incorporating chat or messaging functionalities, your app can enable direct, personalized communication between guests and hotel staff. This ensures quick responses to inquiries, assistance with requests, and the ability to offer personalized recommendations.

Delivering superior services

To thrive in the hotel industry, it’s essential to provide outstanding services at competitive rates. Your app can serve as a platform for announcing new services, improving the booking process, offering exclusive discounts, and providing additional perks like complimentary breakfast or spa services. Such updates and features can enhance the overall guest experience, setting your hotel apart from competitors.

Capitalizing on limited competition

While mobile applications are prevalent, the hotel industry is still relatively untapped in terms of dedicated hotel apps. By entering this space early and meeting the growing demand, you can gain a significant competitive advantage and position your hotel as an innovative industry leader.

Gathering customer feedback and reviews

Feedback and reviews play a vital role in assessing customer satisfaction and identifying areas for improvement. Utilizing your app to solicit feedback and reviews allows you to gather valuable insights, address any shortcomings promptly, and make necessary adjustments to enhance guest satisfaction and loyalty.

By leveraging the unique capabilities of hotel booking app development, your business can thrive in an increasingly digital and competitive landscape, providing an exceptional guest experience while driving growth and success.