Tips & Best Practices for Hospitality & Travel Professionals | RateGain Blog

By Mayank Rastogi, Senior Vice President & GM, RateGain Revenue management, at its core, has always been about balance the delicate calibration of price, timing, and demand. For decades, this equilibrium was achieved by revenue managers hunched over spreadsheets, fueled by experience, instinct, and often, last-minute adjustments. But in an industry increasingly defined by data and disruption, those days are fading fast. Today, a new paradigm is emerging. Artificial ...

If the hotel industry had a relationship status with rate parity, it would be: “It’s complicated.” At first glance, rate parity sounds noble. Everyone—your website, OTAs, metasearch—sticks to the same rate. Guests get consistency, you protect your brand, and all is fair in hotel distribution. Except... it’s not. Even in 2025, parity is more of a digital soap opera—complete with betrayal, backchannel deals, and chaotic pricing wars. You’ve got contracts, you’ve got mo...

In an era where rate transparency is just a click away, rate parity violations can silently eat away at your hotel’s direct bookings and revenue margins. Yet, for many hoteliers, pinpointing the source of those violations remains a frustrating game of digital whack-a-mole—until now. Test reservations—often overlooked—are proving to be the linchpin in modern parity management, helping hoteliers not only identify violators but also take corrective action with confidence. ...

Introduction to Rate Intelligence in the Hotel Industry In today’s ultra-competitive hospitality landscape, pricing decisions are not just about intuition—they're about intelligence. Rate intelligence is the continuous monitoring and analysis of competitor pricing, demand signals, and market dynamics to inform smarter pricing strategies. As of 2025, hotels that leverage modern rate intelligence tools consistently outperform those that rely on outdated or manual processes. Ye...

In 2025, hotel revenue managers face a challenging landscape — rapidly shifting demand, increased competition, and pressure to drive higher profitability without escalating costs. Rate shopping tools are no longer optional; they are essential for maintaining a competitive pricing edge. However, the question on every decision-maker’s mind is: Can we find a rate shopping platform that balances affordability with enterprise-grade capabilities? This guide explores the value of...

In today’s volatile travel landscape, demand patterns shift faster than ever. From sudden surges in bookings due to a major event to market slowdowns driven by macroeconomic shifts—hotels are constantly racing to keep pace. Amid this uncertainty, one capability consistently separates revenue leaders from laggards: demand intelligence. This blog unpacks what demand intelligence really means for hotels, how it impacts pricing strategies, and why tools like Navigator by RateG...

Introduction to Hotel Rate Shopping Hotel rate shopping refers to the process of monitoring competitors' room rates across multiple channels to adjust pricing strategies dynamically. In an industry where pricing changes rapidly, staying on top of these shifts can directly influence occupancy and revenue. Over the years, the process has evolved from labor-intensive manual collection to intelligent, automated tools powered by AI and real-time data feeds. This blog compares man...

In today’s fast-paced hospitality landscape, the difference between success and stagnation can come down to the freshness of your data. While hotels have long used rate shopping tools to benchmark competitor prices, relying on outdated or delayed information could lead to missed opportunities, revenue leakage, and strategic blind spots. This blog explores why fresh, real-time rate shopping intelligence is no longer optional but essential for competitive hotel revenue manageme...

Introduction to Hotel Rate Shopping Hotel rate shopping is the practice of monitoring competitor room prices across multiple channels to inform pricing strategy. In 2025, this practice has evolved from manual data checks to AI-powered platforms that deliver real-time pricing intelligence. With increased competition and dynamic traveler behavior, having accurate and timely data has become mission-critical. Research shows that hotels utilizing rate shopping tools report up to ...