Acquisition platform Siteminder has revealed its annual list of OTA’s and websites which have brought the highest total booking revenue to Asia in 2018.

Pulling together data from a range of different platforms such as OTA’s, hotel websites and a glut of new host of third-party channels, the company believes the variety of different options now available for holidaymakers to grab a bargain is forcing hotels to compete for business on more booking channels than ever before.

According to Euromonitor International, global online hotel sales have surpassed USD 264 billion to represent over 170% growth in the last decade, including over 13% in 2018.

Based on the total gross revenue made for SiteMinder’s hotel customers in Asia, the top 12 booking channels in 2018 were:

New players

Discussing the list, SiteMinder’s managing director, Mike Ford, said: “This year we found almost 20 instances of booking channels making a first-time appearance in our lists. So, while the more popular brands continue to dominate, we are seeing a broader range of players emerging.

“This trend reflects not only the ever-growing list of options now available to travellers booking their stay but the subsequent need for hotels to be on more booking channels than ever to keep up with today’s endless paths-to-purchase.”

“A changing mix of potential guests”

Glenn Andrews, managing director for Asia at SiteMinder, said: “While the growth of travel both into and within Asia presents opportunity, the sheer volume also presents hotels with the challenge of acquiring business from a changing mix of potential guests.

“This marks the first time we have combined country lists across the region into one, to reflect the growing influence of the region’s most dominant players, including Agoda, Ctrip, Traveloka, Goibibo and Rakuten.”