Know About Agoda as a Supplier – Types, Steps, Time for API Integration, & Business Models
Know About Agoda as a Supplier – Types, Steps, Time for API Integration, & Business Models Overview Different Types of Agoda API Agoda’s Commission Range & Partnership Models Reasons to Integrate Agoda API With Your Booking Engine Technical Requirements to Integrate Agoda API The Time and Steps Required to Become an Agoda API Affiliate Conclusion ZentrumHub is Certified & Official Hotel API Provider & Integration Partner for Agoda. Connect Agoda’s Hotel Inventory with your Hotel Booking Engine Instantly! Overview about Agoda?Agoda, a part of Bookings Holding Group, is an Asia-based OTA that has multiplied since its inception in 2005. Though perceived as OTA, Agoda is also one of the largest and most recognized suppliers of inventory and rates to travel agencies. It primarily focuses on and is strong in the Asian market, predominantly Southeast Asia, but offers listings worldwide, with over 2 million properties available. Agoda caters to various accommodations, including hotels, hostels, vacation rentals, and guesthouses. Since Agoda is an online retailer and is self-service oriented, it offers APIs related to all those functionalities, which helps its partners to resemble the look and feel of the Agoda website. This modular architecture allows you to integrate the functionalities that your business requires. So, if you want to include Agoda as a supplier to your inventory and offerings, below are things you should keep in mind as they will guide you – Different Types of Agoda API ? 1. Content API Agoda provides hotel content in 2 different forms – Data File and Data Feed. Your account manager shall provide the URL to download. Data File Content is in CSV format provided in the preferred currency and language Content covers only hotel-level information Used for collection of the hotel data to store in the database Hotel-level content included in the data file Data Feed Content is in XML format that covers whole hotel and room-level information Used to fill hotel content initialized in the data file Hotel-level content included in the data feed 2. Search API Availability Search API sends the availability and rates for all room types of specified hotel(s) based on the search criteria, like number of passengers, time duration of stay, currency, etc. Currently, Agoda provides two forms of search API: Short Search API Short Search is optimized for that function if you require minimum room information. You should use the Agoda URL landing in the response to make bookings. This API will be suitable for the MSE or Online Affiliates model. Long Search API If you plan to display complete room information, including surcharges and cancellation policies, then Long Search provides in-depth information on rates and availability at room level. Searching for a single hotel and a list of hotels can be done through both the APIs. 3. Book API This API offers you a gateway to make bookings in the Agoda system. There are two URL endpoints: PreCheck API, optional, and Book API, a must to make bookings. Agoda’s rates and availability are dynamically generated, and constant changes in prices and allotments may fail bookings; therefore, it is recommended to implement the PreCheck API for verifying if the previously selected offer is applicable right before booking. PreCheck API The PreCheck service is designed to improve the booking success pace by offering to pre-check the rates and allotments before sending the booking request. This PreCheck API can work in the background while the end customer enters their details in the booking form. If the PreCheck response is successful, the room booking process will be completed without any issues, but when there is a failure, you could warn the end customer to look for a new offer. This API can fail in two circumstances – when price changes, especially during peak seasons, and when the selected room is no longer available. There are also other auxiliary APIs like – Post-book API – This is meant for all post-booking activities, like retrieving bookings, sending special requests, canceling a booking, and filtering the booking list by date, tag, & DateTime. NHA API – Non-hotel Accommodation is a popular option, but partners couldn’t directly reach the property owner or receptionist. Therefore, this new “GetHostContact” feature is developed to connect to the host or property owner through the given email address. CDS API – This one is meant to improve the accuracy of cache data and visibility of updated properties. Agoda’s Commission Range & Partnership Models Talking about commissions, Agoda typically charges around 10 to 20% commission based on your contracts, service offerings chosen, and inventory consumption. So, for example, each $200 booking at a commission rate of 5% earns you $10. But here are the different partnership models that you must consider based on your requirements: MSE Model or Online Affiliates This is the simplest integration model. If you compare and aggregate hotel prices from many other online travel agencies on your website, then the MSE model will suit you better. This model speedily offers detailed information about availability or rate API that can be displayed on your website with simple integration and minimal development. Search Short API should be used here. Agoda Fulfill Assisted Model If you wish to integrate your booking form with Agoda’s API but do not have post-booking customer services, then this model suits you. Through this model, Agoda will provide post-booking customer services and directly charge and send hotel vouchers to your customers. Search Long API and Book API are used in this model. Partner Fulfillment Model This model would fit you if you fully want to handle the post-booking flow with customer services. Through this model, you can handle cancellations and special requests. It will also help to process the payment and offer post-booking customer services to travelers. The Search Long API, Book API, and Post Book API are used in this model. Reasons to Integrate Agoda API With Your Hotel Booking Engine Global property access with daily content refreshing. Allotments and prices are pretty dynamic. Retrieve available rooms and rates at each property with a proper
15 Ideal Features – You Must Check in Hotel Booking Engine
Ideal Features that a Hotel Booking Engine Must Have Overview Essential Features to Consider in a Hotel Booking Engine Reasons to Choose ZentrumHub Booking Engine Are you thinking about switching from your current booking engine provider to a new one? Or, going from an offline to an online booking model? Finding the right hotel booking engine that fits your requirements is challenging. However, defining precise requirements will help you choose the right vendor. Below are some things that can help you to outline your needs clearly and in selecting the right vendor as well. Let’s start with the basics of a hotel booking engine. A hotel booking engine is a versatile software designed to cater to Hotel Business Owners and Online Travel Agencies (OTAs). It is a centralized platform to showcase hotel information and enables seamless online bookings for end-users. Read “Understand Hotel Booking Engines – Functionality, Cost, Types, & Ways to Build an IBE” for more in-depth insights. 15 Essential Features to Consider in a Hotel Booking Engine Before you compare different booking engines, evaluating the features they offer and how they can benefit your business is crucial. Here’s a list of must-have features to look for in a hotel booking engine: Online Travel Agents Integrations: Flexibility to add or remove travel agents based on your business requirements. Revenue Management: Systematic dashboard to show all bookings, discounts, offers, cancellations, and revenue generated. Supplier Management: Access to an expansive hotel inventory with the option to add, remove, or pause individual suppliers from the booking engine. Easy-to-Use Interface for OTA & Customers: A simple, readable, and tailored to meet user requirements Customizable Booking Engine: The ability to customize options within the system to suit your specific needs. Back Office: Easy way to manage bookings, analytics, suppliers, revenue, and other essential aspects. Mark-Up: Flexible mark-ups for different suppliers, different kinds of hotels, city-wise mark-ups, seasonal mark-ups, etc Device Compatibility: Responsiveness for smooth UI on various devices, like mobile, laptop, and tablet Fast & Accurate Search Results: Option auto-suggestions and varied results based on search queries for a seamless user experience. Zero Booking Failure: Ensuring that booking failures are minimized to avoid further issues AI-enabled Search Patterns: Auto-suggest and search patterns based on ratings, customer feedback, and user behavior. Multi-Language and Multi-Currency Support: The ability to adapt language and currency preferences based on user locations. Deduplication or Mapping: Hotel and Room capability for deduplication and accurate listing Reporting and Analytics: Detailed booking reports for effective analysis and data-driven decision-making SEO Potential: Built-in SEO capabilities to enhance online visibility and attract organic traffic to your booking platform. As an OTA, finding the right booking engine can significantly impact your business’ success. If you’re looking for previously mentioned features, we have carefully developed a hotel booking engine that Fortune 500 companies globally trust. Reasons to Choose ZentrumHub Booking Engine ZentrumHub is an emerging travel tech company renowned for its cutting-edge hotel booking and supplier connectivity platform. With an easy-to-operate interface and AI-enabled features, the intelligent booking API ensures lightning-fast access to hotel inventory within 2 seconds, guaranteeing swift and efficient services. Leveraging a vast network of 50+ global hotel suppliers, including names like HotelBeds, Expedia, Web Beds, Agoda, Yalago, OYO, Yatra, and more, ZentrumHub offers unparalleled business connectivity options. Whether supplier integration or end-to-end booking engine requirements, ZentrumHub’s universal single platform makes it effortlessly manageable. ZentrumHub is becoming a preferred choice among travel businesses for global hotel supplier integration and booking engine platforms. Let’s explore the key features that make ZentrumHub the industry leader: Features: ChatGPT Integration: ChatGPT-based search feature to find the best suitable hotels in the intended destinations Supplier Management: Seamlessly integrate hotel suppliers for a diverse hotel inventory. Revenue Management: Systematic dashboard to show all bookings, discounts, offers, cancellations, and revenue generated. Easy-to-Use Interface: User-friendly interface for a smooth booking experience. Multi-channel: Accepts Booking from mobile, website, and travel agents. Customizable Booking Engine: Tailor the platform to your brand and unique requirements. Mark-Up Facility: Flexible mark-ups for different suppliers, different kinds of hotels, city-wise mark-ups, seasonal mark-sups, etc Fast & Accurate Search Results: Quick loading times and precise search results for user engagement. Zero Booking Failure: Seamless booking confirmation process to avoid discrepancies. AI-Enabled Search Patterns: Personalized search options based on user preferences. Deduplication or Mapping: Hotel and Room capability for deduplication and accurate listing Price Comparison: Users can easily compare prices, amenities, and special offers from different hotels to find the best deals. Multi-Language and Multi-Currency Support: Adapts to diverse languages and currencies for global users. White Label Solution: The platform offers a white label solution, allowing travel agencies and tour operators to brand the system as their own, enhancing their brand presence in the market. Support and Training: Software provides ongoing technical support, training, and assistance to clients for a smooth implementation Reporting and Analytics: Detailed booking reports for informed decision-making. B2B and B2C Portals: ZentrumHub develops B2B and B2C portals, enabling travel agencies and tour operators to manage their business operations SEO Potential: Built-in SEO capabilities for enhanced online visibility and traffic. 24/7 Customer Support: Access experienced assistance via call, chat & email, with a separate dashboard to track your support tickets. XML Integration: XML integration with a wide range of suppliers, including global distribution systems (GDS), hotel aggregators, and other travel content providers, expands travel product offerings. Select the solution that best suits your travel business and maximize your revenue with Zentrum Connect and Zentrum Booking Engine. Choosing the right hotel booking engine is crucial for success, and each top-ranked booking engine has unique strengths and features. Hotel businesses should carefully evaluate their needs and requirements to find the best fit that enhances their efficiency, customer experience, and revenue generation. Read more blogs on Booking Engine Step-by-Step Guide – Go Live with ZentrumHub Know all about Hotel Booking Engine, Functionality, Cost, Types, and Ways to Build Ideal Features that a Hotel Booking Engine Must Have Why Must Every Travel Business Invest in Online Booking Engine?