Booking Engine
A Booking Engine is a software tool that travel companies use to let customers make reservations online. It's like a digital sales system that helps hotels, airlines, and tour companies sell their services directly through their websites. When you see a calendar on a hotel's website where you can pick dates and book a room, that's a booking engine at work. Some popular booking engines include systems like Sabre, TravelClick, or SiteMinder. Think of it as the digital equivalent of a travel agent, working 24/7 to process reservations and payments automatically.
Examples in Resumes
Implemented Booking Engine integration that increased direct bookings by 45%
Managed Online Booking Engine customization for a chain of 12 hotels
Optimized Reservation System and Booking Engine to handle peak season traffic
Typical job title: "Booking Engine Specialists"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Booking Engine Specialists
Professional Networks
Industry Events
Job Boards
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you handle integration of multiple booking engines across different properties?
Expected Answer: A strong answer should discuss experience with managing different systems, standardizing processes, ensuring consistent data flow, and maintaining rate parity across platforms.
Q: How do you maximize booking engine conversion rates?
Expected Answer: Look for answers about user experience improvements, A/B testing, mobile optimization, simplified booking processes, and understanding of booking abandonment analytics.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What strategies would you use to increase direct bookings through the booking engine?
Expected Answer: Should mention loyalty programs, special rates for direct bookings, email marketing campaigns, and website optimization techniques.
Q: How do you handle peak season booking challenges?
Expected Answer: Should discuss experience with managing high traffic periods, implementing rate strategies, and ensuring system stability during busy times.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What are the basic components of a booking engine?
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain the basic elements like availability calendar, rate display, reservation form, and payment processing.
Q: How do you handle a customer complaint about a failed booking?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate understanding of basic troubleshooting steps, customer service skills, and knowledge of booking processes.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic booking engine operations
- Customer service and support
- Understanding of reservation processes
- Basic rate management
Mid (2-5 years)
- Booking engine configuration
- Channel management
- Revenue optimization
- System integration knowledge
Senior (5+ years)
- Multi-property system management
- Strategic revenue planning
- Team leadership
- Advanced distribution strategies
Red Flags to Watch For
- No understanding of basic hospitality concepts
- Lack of experience with customer service
- No knowledge of revenue management principles
- Unable to explain basic booking processes
