How to List Your Hotel on Expedia: A Step-by-Step Guide

As a hotelier, I've learned that visibility is key to success. Did you know that Expedia Group reaches over 750 million monthly visitors across its brands? That's a massive audience waiting to discover your property! In this guide, I'll walk you through the process of listing your hotel on Expedia, sharing insider tips to help you stand out in the crowded hospitality market. Ready to unlock new opportunities for your business? Let's get started!

Expedia Partner Central is the gateway for hoteliers and property owners to tap into Expedia's vast network of travel brands. This powerful platform enables you to list your property, manage bookings, and optimize your online presence across Expedia Group's portfolio, including Hotels.com, Vrbo, and Orbitz. By leveraging this tool, you gain access to a global audience of travelers, potentially boosting your occupancy rates and revenue.

How to access the registration portal

To begin your journey with Expedia Partner Central, navigate to the Expedia Group website and locate the "Partner With Us" section. This will direct you to the registration portal, where you can initiate the process of listing your property.

Creating an account: essential information you'll need

When setting up your account, prepare to provide key details about yourself and your property. This includes:

• Your full name and contact information
• Business email address
• Phone number
• Property name and location
• Type of accommodation you're offering (e.g., hotel, vacation rental, bed and breakfast)

Tips for a smooth sign-up process

To ensure a seamless registration experience:

1. Have all necessary documents and information readily available.
2. Use a business email address rather than a personal one.
3. Double-check all entered information for accuracy.
4. Be prepared to verify your identity and property ownership.

Your property description is your chance to make a stellar first impression. Include information on:

• Overall ambiance and style of your property
• Number of rooms and types available
• On-site amenities (e.g., restaurants, pools, fitness centers)
• Nearby attractions and points of interest
• Transportation options and accessibility

Highlighting unique selling points and amenities

Stand out from the competition by emphasizing what makes your property special. This could be:

• Award-winning restaurants or spa services
• Historical significance or unique architecture
• Eco-friendly practices or sustainability initiatives
• Personalized services or exclusive guest experiences

Importance of accurate location information

Precise location details are crucial for attracting the right guests. Provide:

• The exact address with the postal code
• Nearby landmarks or popular destinations
• Distance from airports, train stations, or city centers
• Information on local public transportation options

Selecting the right property type category

Choose the category that best represents your accommodation:

• Hotel
• Resort
• Vacation rental
• Apartment
• Bed and breakfast
• Hostel
• Other specialized lodging types

Selecting the correct category ensures your property appears in relevant search results, reaching travelers specifically looking for your type of accommodation.

Clearly differentiate your room offerings:

• Standard rooms
• Deluxe or premium rooms
• Suites
• Family rooms
• Accessible rooms

For each category, specify:

• Bed types and sizes
• Maximum occupancy
• View types (if applicable)
• Special features or amenities

Strategies for competitive pricing

Research your competitors and local market trends to set attractive rates. Consider:

• Seasonal demand fluctuations
• Local events or festivals that may impact pricing
• Your property's unique selling points that justify premium rates
• Offering competitive rates for extended stays or early bookings

Implementing dynamic pricing models

Utilize Expedia's tools to adjust your rates based on:

• Day of the week
• Seasonality
• Occupancy levels
• Competitor pricing
• Special events or holidays

Dynamic pricing helps maximize revenue by automatically adjusting rates to meet demand.

Managing inventory and availability

Keep your inventory up-to-date to avoid overbookings:

• Regularly update room availability
• Set stop-sell dates for periods of high demand or maintenance
• Use a channel manager to sync availability across multiple platforms
• Consider offering last-minute deals for unsold rooms

Captivating visuals can significantly boost bookings. Ensure your photos:

• Are high-resolution (minimum 2880 pixels wide)
• Showcase rooms in their best light, preferably with natural daylight
• Highlight key amenities and common areas
• Include exterior shots and views from the property
• Are recent and accurately represent current conditions

Creating virtual tours and 360-degree room views

Enhance the guest's pre-booking experience with immersive content:

• Offer virtual walk-throughs of different room types
• Provide 360-degree views of common areas and facilities
• Consider drone footage for expansive properties or to showcase location benefits

Writing compelling room descriptions

Craft descriptions that paint a vivid picture:

• Use evocative language to describe the atmosphere and decor
• List all in-room amenities and features
• Mention room sizes in square feet or meters
• Highlight any unique aspects, such as balconies or special views

Highlighting special features and recent renovations

Keep your listing fresh by regularly updating information on:

• Recently completed renovations or upgrades
• New amenities or services
• Seasonal offerings or packages
• Awards or recognitions received

Setting check-in and check-out times

Clearly communicate your property's schedule:

• Standard check-in and check-out times
• Early check-in or late check-out options and associated fees
• Policies for arrivals outside of regular hours

Crafting a Fair Cancellation Policy

Balance flexibility with business needs:

• Consider offering free cancellation up to a certain date
• Clearly state any penalties for late cancellations or no-shows
• Provide options for non-refundable rates at a discount

Detailing additional fees and charges

Transparency is key to guest satisfaction. Clearly list:

• Resort fees or destination charges
• Parking fees
• Pet fees
• Additional person charges
• Any other supplementary costs guests may incur

Outlining available guest services and facilities

Highlight the full range of services you offer:

• 24-hour reception or concierge
• Room service hours
• Business center facilities
• Fitness center or spa services
• Laundry and dry cleaning options
• Airport transfers or shuttle services

Utilizing Expedia's promotional tools

Take advantage of Expedia's marketing features:

• Participate in Expedia's deals and promotions
• Use the "Member Price" program to offer exclusive rates
• Leverage the "Area's Featured Properties" placement for increased visibility

Implementing strategic discounts and special offers

Create enticing offers to attract bookings:

• Early booking discounts
• Last-minute deals
• Extended stay promotions
• Package deals combining room and services

Leveraging Expedia's multiple brand reach

Maximize exposure by ensuring your property is visible across Expedia Group's brands:

• Hotels.com for hotel-focused travelers
• Vrbo for vacation rental seekers
• Orbitz and Travelocity for package deal hunters

Tips for improving your property's search ranking

Enhance your visibility in search results:

• Maintain competitive rates
• Consistently receive positive guest reviews
• Offer a range of room types and rate plans
• Keep your availability calendar up-to-date
• Respond promptly to booking requests

Using Partner Central for day-to-day operations

Familiarize yourself with key Partner Central features:

• Reservation management tools
• Real-time analytics and reporting
• Content management for updating property information
• Promotional tools and rate management features

Responding to guest reviews effectively

Engage with guest feedback to improve your reputation:

• Respond to all reviews, both positive and negative
• Address concerns professionally and offer solutions
• Thank guests for positive feedback
• Use reviews as feedback for improving your services

Analyzing performance metrics and reports

Regularly review your property's performance:

• Monitor booking patterns and occupancy rates
• Track revenue and average daily rate (ADR)
• Analyze the effectiveness of promotions and special offers
• Compare your performance against local market trends

Staying updated with Expedia's latest features and policies

Keep abreast of platform updates:

• Regularly check Expedia Partner Central for announcements
• Attend webinars or training sessions offered by Expedia
• Join Expedia partner forums or communities for insights
• Implement new features that can benefit your property

By following these comprehensive steps and continuously optimizing your Expedia listing, you'll be well-positioned to attract more travelers and grow your business through this powerful platform.

Listing your hotel on Expedia is more than just filling out forms – it's about creating a compelling story that resonates with travelers worldwide. By following these steps and continuously refining your approach, you're not just listing a property; you're opening doors to a global audience. Remember, success on Expedia is an ongoing process. Stay engaged, be responsive to guest feedback, and keep your listing fresh and exciting. Your next big booking could be just a click away!