Latest news with #independenthotels
Hospitality Net
5 days ago
- Business
- Hospitality Net
How Independent Hotels Can Stay Competitive in Europe
Chain hotels continue to dominate across the continent, backed by powerful brands, deep pockets and expansive tech stacks. Yet, as an independent hotelier, you're not without options. By understanding current travel trends and leveraging your unique strengths, you can compete – and win. This blog post explores where demand is heading in the region, why chains are thriving and what independent hotels can do to get more of the action. European travel demand Europe remains one of the world's most sought-after destinations, with travel demand rebounding strongly in recent years. Summer is the undisputed peak season for the average European hotel, with July and August seeing the highest occupancy rates across the continent. Southern Europe – particularly Spain, Italy, Greece and Portugal – continues to lead in overall visitor numbers, thanks to its warm climate, iconic coastlines and cultural landmarks. But major cities in Western and Central Europe, such as London, Dublin, Paris, Berlin and Amsterdam, also maintain year-round appeal due to their rich cultural and business offerings, and strong international connectivity. Northern Europe – including the Nordics and the Baltics – has seen a gradual rise in off-peak travel, particularly among visitors seeking nature, sustainability-focused experiences and cooler-weather escapes. Meanwhile, Eastern Europe is gaining ground with budget-conscious travelers drawn by lower prices, authentic cultural experiences and growing air connectivity. The top source markets remain intra-European travelers, led by Germany, the UK, France and the Netherlands. However, North American visitors are returning in strong numbers, while travelers from the Middle East and Asia are showing increasing interest in Europe, especially during the shoulder seasons. In terms of travel trends, leisure travel dominates, particularly around cultural exploration, gastronomy and wellness. 'Experience-first' tourism – where visitors prioritize meaningful, locally grounded experiences over luxury – is also gaining traction. While big draws like the Eiffel Tower, Colosseum and Sagrada Familia remain high on itineraries, there's growing interest in secondary cities and lesser-known heritage sites, driven by social media and a desire to escape the crowds. What does this mean for hotels? This sustained demand for European travel presents clear opportunities – but also increased competition – for hotels. With peak season still dominating, dynamic pricing strategies should be at the core of your property's plans, alongside well-timed marketing campaigns, especially in the lead-up to summer. However, the growing appeal of shoulder and off-peak travel, particularly if you're in Northern and Eastern Europe, means there's value in promoting year-round offerings and creating tailored experiences for emerging visitor segments. For hotels, especially independents, this is the time to invest strategically in marketing. Highlighting unique local experiences, cultural proximity and personalized service can help cut through the noise, especially as travelers increasingly seek authenticity over uniformity. Even modest increases in digital marketing spend on social media, Google Ads and metasearch can go a long way when paired with well-crafted, experience-led content. As an independent hotel owner or operator, it's also vital to leverage flexibility. Unlike chains, independents can pivot quickly: offering bespoke packages, tapping into niche trends like wellness or slow travel, and partnering with local attractions or artisans. By responding faster to market shifts and guest preferences, your independent hotel can position itself as a distinctive, experience-driven alternative to more standardized chain properties, such as Hilton, Marriott, Accor, Hyatt and the rest. Why hotel chains dominate European travel markets While Europe has historically been a stronghold of independently owned hotels, the landscape has shifted dramatically over the past decade. Today, large hotel chains and property management groups enjoy a huge share of the market, particularly in urban centers and high-traffic tourist destinations. This trend has been fueled by a combination of hospitality industry consolidation, brand expansion and evolving traveler expectations. In the early 2000s, independent hotels made up the vast majority of Europe's hospitality supply – estimates suggest as much as 75 to 80% in some markets. But over the last 10 to 15 years, there's been a steady erosion of that dominance. Chains have expanded aggressively, not only through new builds but by acquiring or affiliating with independent properties via soft brands and franchise models. At the same time, many small operators – facing rising costs, increasing complexity and growing competitive pressure – have either sold to larger groups or left the market entirely. A key reason chains have gained ground is their scale. With centralized booking engines, loyalty programs, stronger bargaining power with online travel agencies (OTAs), such as Expedia and the like, and deep pockets for marketing, they can drive consistent demand and profitability. Their operational efficiencies and access to data also allow them to respond faster to changing market conditions. Independent hotels, by contrast, often struggle with limited resources, both financial and technological. Without large marketing budgets or in-house revenue management teams, many find it challenging to compete on visibility or price. Distribution is another hurdle: chains can dominate OTA listings and metasearch placements, while independents must work harder to be discovered. This widening gap has created a challenging environment for independents, especially those not actively trying to keep up. Yet, despite the dominance of chains, independents still hold a meaningful share of the market and with the right strategies, you can not only survive but thrive. How independent hotels can compete with chain hotels Independent hotels may lack the scale of big brands but they have unique strengths. So, what is the right approach to competing effectively? It all boils down to embracing smart technology and delivering truly personalized guest experiences. Get this right, and, as an independent hotelier, you can streamline your operations, boost visibility and stand out in a crowded, chain-dominated market. Let's take a look. Implement software to save time For independent hoteliers, time is a limited resource. Unlike chain properties with dedicated teams for revenue management, marketing and operations, independents often juggle multiple roles at once. This is where smart software solutions can make a critical difference; by automating repetitive tasks and streamlining day-to-day operations, they free up time for you to focus on what matters most: delivering excellent guest experiences and growing your business. From pricing to distribution, the right tools can handle tasks that would otherwise consume hours each week. Not only does this improve efficiency, it also helps reduce costly errors and ensure more consistent performance. In a competitive market where speed and adaptability are key, software gives independents the ability to respond quickly to market shifts and guest needs, without burning out their teams. For many, it's the difference between just staying afloat and gaining a real competitive edge. Two of the most important areas of consideration are dynamic pricing and channel management, the focus of the two subsections below. Dynamic pricing solutions In such a fast-moving travel market, static pricing simply doesn't cut it. Demand fluctuates constantly – by season, day of the week, even hour by hour – and guests have more tools than ever to compare rates across properties. That's why software for dynamic pricing has become an essential tool for independent hoteliers looking to stay competitive and maximize their revenue. A good dynamic pricing solution uses real-time data to adjust room rates automatically based on market trends, competitor pricing, occupancy levels and booking pace. Rather than relying on gut feeling or manual rate changes, using this technology you can set pricing rules and let the system do the heavy lifting, ensuring your hotel rooms are never overpriced in quiet periods and you're not leaving money on the table when there's high demand. For independents, this kind of automation levels the playing field. It enables you to react with the speed and precision of the big chains, without needing a full-time revenue manager. With less time spent tweaking rates and more revenue generated from smarter pricing, you can focus on elevating the guest experience – which we come to in a moment. But first, a quick look at channel management. Channel management tools With travelers booking through a wide range of OTAs, metasearch platforms and booking engines, managing distribution manually is no longer sustainable, especially for independent hotels. Channel management tools simplify this process by centralizing inventory and rate updates across all connected platforms in real time. A good channel manager ensures that room availability, pricing and restrictions are always accurate and consistent, helping you avoid double bookings, missed revenue opportunities and time-consuming manual updates at your property. It also helps you maintain parity across channels, which OTAs favor in their algorithms, thereby boosting visibility and improving placement in search results. For independent hotels, a channel manager is more than just a time-saver; it's a revenue enabler. By staying visible across more channels with accurate, up-to-date listings, you can capture bookings from travelers who might never visit their direct website. This kind of reach and efficiency was once the reserve of the big brands; now, with the right tools in place, you can compete head-to-head as an independent – and win – on the same platforms. Deliver personalized guest experiences A powerful competitive advantage independent hotels have over chains is their ability to deliver truly personalized guest experiences. While large hotel brands often operate within rigid brand guidelines and standardized service models, as an independent, you have the freedom and flexibility to tailor every aspect of the stay – from check-in to check-out – to reflect your unique identity and the specific needs of your guests. Independent hotels are often more closely connected to their local communities, enabling them to offer a place-based authentic experience that chain hotels can't easily replicate. This might include partnerships with local restaurants, guided tours led by residents or curated welcome packages featuring regional products. These thoughtful touches resonate deeply with today's travelers, who increasingly prioritize experiences over amenities alone. Personalized service is another area where you can shine. With smaller teams and fewer rooms, staff have more opportunities to interact meaningfully with guests – remembering names, preferences and special occasions. Whether it's customizing a room setup for a returning guest or offering local tips based on a traveler's interests, these small gestures build lasting loyalty and repeat business. Offering unique amenities – such as locally sourced breakfast options, in-room wellness kits or flexible check-in times – can also differentiate an independent property. Ultimately, independents can focus on hospitality as an art form, not just a process. In a market where travelers are seeking more connection, character and care, personalized guest experiences aren't just a nice-to-have; they're a strategic advantage that your independent hotel is positioned to deliver. If you're looking for practical strategies to simplify your workload, boost revenue, and keep guests coming back, The Independent Hotelier's Handbook is a good place to start. Gain a competitive edge to drive more bookings Supporting the independent hotel sector since 2012, and winning hotel industry awards along the way, Lighthouse's all-in-one software solution and data are helping hoteliers like you to: Optimize pricing Get ahead in their distribution Streamline their hotel management operations across the board The Lighthouse platform handles the time consuming tasks that drive revenue growth so you can focus on what really matters: your guests. Get in touch to get onboard. About Lighthouse Lighthouse is the leading commercial platform for the travel & hospitality industry. We transform complexity into confidence by providing actionable market insights, business intelligence, and pricing tools that maximize revenue growth. We continually innovate to deliver the best platform for hospitality professionals to price more effectively, measure performance more efficiently, and understand the market in new ways. Trusted by over 70,000 hotels in 185 countries, Lighthouse is the only solution that provides real-time hotel and short-term rental data in a single platform. We strive to deliver the best possible experience with unmatched customer service. We consider our clients as true partners—their success is our success. For more information about Lighthouse, please visit: View source
Hospitality Net
5 days ago
- Business
- Hospitality Net
TakeUp and Cloudbeds Team Up to Make Revenue Optimization Effortless for Independent Hospitality Properties
TakeUp, the AI-powered revenue management platform built for independent hospitality properties, announced today a new integration partnership with Cloudbeds, the innovative leader in hospitality management technology. This collaboration equips boutique hotels, inns, bed & breakfasts, and glamping retreats with seamless, automated revenue optimization—helping them maximize earnings while saving time. With this integration, independent hoteliers using Cloudbeds can now access TakeUp's AI-driven pricing engine, which dynamically adjusts room rates based on real-time market demand, competitor pricing, and booking trends. Alongside AI-powered automation, TakeUp's experienced revenue strategists act as an extension of each property's team, providing expert guidance to fine-tune pricing strategies and maximize long-term profitability. Cloudbeds' partner integration marketplace connects hoteliers with industry-leading solutions that enhance property management, revenue strategy, and guest experience. By integrating with Cloudbeds, TakeUp becomes part of a growing ecosystem of innovative tools designed to help independent hoteliers compete more effectively. This seamless connection ensures that TakeUp users can access advanced revenue management capabilities without disrupting their existing workflows. 'Cloudbeds has built an outstanding platform that streamlines hotel operations, and we're excited to enhance that experience by making revenue optimization effortless for their customers,' said Bobby Marhamat, CEO at TakeUp. 'By partnering with Cloudbeds, we're delivering AI-powered pricing automation and expert-backed strategies in a way that's simple, effective, and tailored to small and independent properties.' Key Benefits of the TakeUp + Cloudbeds Integration: AI-Driven Pricing Optimization – Automatically adjusts rates to reflect demand, competition, and market trends. Revenue Strategist Support – AI-powered insights, enhanced by expert guidance, ensure a strategic approach to pricing. Seamless Cloudbeds Integration – Quick and easy setup with no disruption to existing operations. User-Friendly Analytics – TakeUp's intuitive dashboard provides performance tracking and benchmarking. 'At Cloudbeds, our goal is to give hoteliers the tools they need to run their businesses more efficiently and profitably,' said Sebastien Leitner, VP of Partnerships at Cloudbeds. 'Partnering with TakeUp gives our customers access to a smart, easy-to-use revenue management solution that helps them stay ahead without adding unnecessary complexity to their workflows.' A Future of Smarter Revenue for Independent Hoteliers Independent hotels no longer have to guess at pricing strategies or spend hours manually adjusting rates. With TakeUp and Cloudbeds integrated together, properties of all sizes can now leverage AI-powered revenue management—a capability that was once only accessible to large hotel brands. About TakeUp TakeUp is an AI-powered revenue optimization platform built for independent hospitality properties, including boutique hotels, inns, bed & breakfasts, and glamping retreats. By leveraging AI-driven insights and expert revenue strategists, TakeUp helps properties maximize revenue and save time, seamlessly integrating with leading property management systems to drive profitability and operational efficiency. For more information visit About Cloudbeds Cloudbeds is the leading platform redefining the concept of PMS for the hospitality industry, serving tens of thousands of properties in more than 150 countries worldwide. Built from the ground up to be masterfully unified and scalable, the award-winning Cloudbeds Platform brings together built-in and integrated solutions that modernize hotel operations, distribution, guest experience, and data & analytics. Founded in 2012, Cloudbeds has been named a top PMS, Hotel Management System and Channel Manager (2021-2025) by Hotel Tech Report, World's Best Hotel PMS Solutions Provider (2022) by World Travel Awards, and recognized in Deloitte's Technology Fast 500 in 2024. Kelly Campbell Marketing Director View source
Hospitality Net
7 days ago
- Business
- Hospitality Net
Join the Distribution Revolution: What You Need to Know about Smart Distribution for Hotels
The hospitality industry has become fiercely competitive and more unpredictable than ever. As guest expectations evolve, staffing costs rise and market dynamics shift rapidly, it's getting increasingly challenging for smaller properties to stay profitable. Enter Smart Distribution, a powerful new approach that's transforming the way independent hotels manage their online visibility, availability and rates across different channels. But hold on, what exactly is Smart Distribution for hotels? And how does it benefit your business? Let's break it down. What is smart distribution for hotels? Smart Distribution is an AI-driven approach to managing your hotel's presence and strategy across multiple booking channels – all automated within one centralized platform and backed by the industry's most trusted data. We asked Delphine Elias, Senior Product Manager at Lighthouse, to explain this game-changing innovation in a nutshell. Smart Distribution is the next-gen Channel Manager. It allows independent hoteliers to manage pricing and distribution in one place, and leverage automation to save time while increasing revenue. The result? Always the right price on the right channel, automatically. Delphine Elias, Senior Product Manager at Lighthouse At the heart of Smart Distribution lie advanced AI and machine learning, allowing hoteliers to make decisions faster and with better results. It's smarter than a Channel Manager, offering rate and distribution recommendations in one place. Key components of smart distribution for hotels: Dynamic pricing ensures room prices are optimized and updated instantly on all channels in response to market demand, competitors and your own performance. ensures room prices are optimized and updated instantly on all channels in response to market demand, competitors and your own performance. Availability recommendations determine when to open or close certain channels to maximize revenue and minimize commission costs. determine when to open or close certain channels to maximize revenue and minimize commission costs. Channel optimization indicates which distribution partners to prioritize or deactivate for maximum profitability and will suggest new OTA connections to boost bookings. indicates which distribution partners to prioritize or deactivate for maximum profitability and will suggest new OTA connections to boost bookings. Strategic restrictions adjust your minimum length of stay (LOS) when needed to maximize revenue per available room (RevPAR). adjust your minimum length of stay (LOS) when needed to maximize revenue per available room (RevPAR). The centralized view simplifies effective pricing and channel management by providing an easy-to-interpret, unified interface. simplifies effective pricing and channel management by providing an easy-to-interpret, unified interface. Competitor insights give you an overview of the rates applied by your main competitive set on your booking channels. give you an overview of the rates applied by your main competitive set on your booking channels. AI-driven automation analyzes data and performs rate and availability updates across your entire distribution landscape to capture every opportunity while saving you time. How Smart Distribution changes the game for independent hotels The distribution challenges you know all too well For most independent hoteliers, managing distribution is an overwhelming juggling act. What's more, increased online visibility is often associated with increased workload and high commission. Even with a lot of time, thought and effort, independent hotelier strategies are still leaving money on the table. Most set their strategy once, to then never look at it again, causing them to miss out on important opportunities. Plus, confusion reigns supreme, with hundreds of OTAs to choose from nowadays. The hotel distribution landscape has become quite complex to navigate, with a lot of channels and OTAs. These third-party booking platforms all have their own strategies that you need to be aware of, because they might not benefit your hotel. Delphine Elias, Senior Product Manager at Lighthouse Typical challenges for independent hoteliers around selecting and managing channels include: No time to continuously monitor and adjust their channel mix Suboptimal rates that deter guests during low demand and lead to missed revenue during peak times Not fully leveraging each channel and its nuances Distribution imbalance, leading to high commissions, missed opportunities and reduced profitability Costly errors and mismatched pricing when updating multiple platforms manually Much like dealing with a water leak under the bathroom sink that you want to locate and repair as fast as possible, you want to know where money is leaking in order to adjust your strategy. A flawed distribution strategy isn't just an inconvenience – you're systematically losing revenue and compromising your profitability. From our customers, we see that smaller hotels use 15+ channels on average. In an ideal world, you would have a full-time employee managing all these channels properly. Just being on there is not enough if you want to stay competitive and profitable , Delphine Elias explains. Managing distribution channels strategically involves much more than synchronizing rates and availability. It means: Closing channels with high commission fees on busy days Opening all channels on low-demand days to maximize occupancy Offering the optimal price tailored to each channel Delphine Elias continues: 'Where chains and group hotels have a dedicated Distribution Manager or Digital Manager, independent hoteliers usually don't have the necessary resources for that. It's simply not feasible for them to hire someone full-time or do it all on their own. That's where Smart Distribution comes in. It allows smaller properties to compete with big brands, without needing extra staff or a degree in revenue management.' Key benefits of Smart Distribution for hotels Informed by Lighthouse's industry-leading data, Smart Distribution automates optimal pricing and channel recommendations to achieve maximum profitability and efficiency, killing two birds with one stone – all in one simple view. Key benefits of smart distribution for hotels: Better rates, more revenue: Always charge the right price at the right time on the right channel to avoid losing bookings and maximize revenue per available room (RevPAR). Always charge the right price at the right time on the right channel to avoid losing bookings and maximize revenue per available room (RevPAR). Time gains: Cut down hours of manual work with automated pricing and distribution updates on all your booking channels. Cut down hours of manual work with automated pricing and distribution updates on all your booking channels. Enhanced visibility: Easily manage listings across OTAs, GDSs and metasearch platforms to boost online presence without needing big marketing budgets. Easily manage listings across OTAs, GDSs and metasearch platforms to boost online presence without needing big marketing budgets. Increased bookings: Optimize occupancy levels by ensuring your hotel is always visible and competitively priced on the right channels. Optimize occupancy levels by ensuring your hotel is always visible and competitively priced on the right channels. Less commission: Reduce OTA commission costs by strategically closing expensive channels when healthy occupancy is guaranteed. Reduce OTA commission costs by strategically closing expensive channels when healthy occupancy is guaranteed. Faster connectivity: Easily connect with new partners in a few clicks thanks to intuitive mapping of room types and rate plans. Easily connect with new partners in a few clicks thanks to intuitive mapping of room types and rate plans. Competitive edge: Closely watch your main competitors and stay two steps ahead to capture bookings before they do. Closely watch your main competitors and stay two steps ahead to capture bookings before they do. Data-driven strategy: Base important decisions on industry-leading data insights instead of relying on gut feeling or outdated spreadsheets. Base important decisions on industry-leading data insights instead of relying on gut feeling or outdated spreadsheets. Optimized channel mix: Focus on your best performing channels and adjust the ones that hurt your profitability. Focus on your best performing channels and adjust the ones that hurt your profitability. Unlocking new markets: Smart channel recommendations will allow you to tap into new source markets and guest segments. Smart channel recommendations will allow you to tap into new source markets and guest segments. Transparency and control: See the reasoning behind the algorithm's recommendations and choose whether you want to apply them automatically or not. See the reasoning behind the algorithm's recommendations and choose whether you want to apply them automatically or not. No more double bookings: Avoid disappointing guests and losing revenue by keeping your availability synchronized – always, everywhere. Avoid disappointing guests and losing revenue by keeping your availability synchronized – always, everywhere. Reduced errors: Avoid costly pricing and distribution errors thanks to reliable automation. Built-in checks will confirm if updates are live on the right channels to give you peace of mind. Avoid costly pricing and distribution errors thanks to reliable automation. Built-in checks will confirm if updates are live on the right channels to give you peace of mind. Simplified channel management: Access one view with all your channel pricing and availability to easily review your entire distribution strategy. Maximum revenue thanks to optimized prices and bookings Smart Distribution is your full-time revenue manager, working around the clock to make sure you don't leave any money on the table and competitors don't snag your valuable customers. Smart Distribution delivers: Maximum revenue with optimized prices and bookings: - Strategic pricing based on accurate data – adapted to channels and room types - Booking channel recommendations to attract the best bookings and reduce OTA commissions - Strategic pricing based on accurate data – adapted to channels and room types - Booking channel recommendations to attract the best bookings and reduce OTA commissions Time-saving channel management - Quick responses to market fluctuations through trusted automation - One simple view to check your rates, competitor rates and channels We now realize more than ever that pricing and distribution go hand in hand, and should be managed properly to increase profit. We want to help hoteliers make this process smoother and smarter, so they can maximize revenue while gaining time back to focus on what matters most: their guests! Delphine Elias, Senior Product Manager at Lighthouse Smart Distribution is quickly becoming the new norm. No more manual effort, countless spreadsheets and endless tabs to check competitor prices – just smart room price and channel optimization you can trust. Join the distribution revolution and outsmart your competitors At Lighthouse, we've reimagined distribution for the independent hotelier, combining our industry-leading data with powerful automation to help you stay ahead. Smart Distribution is now available as part of our award-winning AI platform for independents – one smart solution to optimize both pricing and channel distribution in the most efficient way possible. What can you expect? Reach your full revenue potential: Optimize your pricing and distribution with market intelligence trusted by 75,000+ hotels around the world. Optimize your pricing and distribution with market intelligence trusted by 75,000+ hotels around the world. Win back hours of your day: Rely on award-winning automation powering accurate and transparent pricing across your booking channels. Rely on award-winning automation powering accurate and transparent pricing across your booking channels. Enjoy simplicity and hands-on support: Simplify channel management with one consolidated view, smooth onboarding and top-rated support. With Smart Distribution, you will be able to: Automatically pull in and distribute optimal rates Get AI recommendations for LOS, availability and new channel opportunities Manage pricing and distribution from one intelligent, centralized view Gain insight into competitor strategies across booking platforms Verify automation delivery, ensuring updates reach all channels successfully Customize your level of control – choose between suggestions or full autopilot mode The industry is moving forward, with or without you. Will you be at the forefront of the distribution revolution or will you be limping behind? The choice is yours! Request your 14-day free trial of Smart Distribution below. About Lighthouse Lighthouse is the leading commercial platform for the travel & hospitality industry. We transform complexity into confidence by providing actionable market insights, business intelligence, and pricing tools that maximize revenue growth. We continually innovate to deliver the best platform for hospitality professionals to price more effectively, measure performance more efficiently, and understand the market in new ways. Trusted by over 70,000 hotels in 185 countries, Lighthouse is the only solution that provides real-time hotel and short-term rental data in a single platform. We strive to deliver the best possible experience with unmatched customer service. We consider our clients as true partners—their success is our success. For more information about Lighthouse, please visit: View source
Hospitality Net
7 days ago
- Business
- Hospitality Net
Fill Rooms, Boost Revenue, Save Time: Free Course Empowers Independent Hoteliers for Summer 2025
Just in time for the busy travel season, Lighthouse has created a free online course specially designed for passionate independent hoteliers like you. The course, "How to prepare your independent hotel for peak season 2025," gives you practical tools to boost your bottom line, simplify your daily routine, and create those unforgettable guest experiences that big chains can't match. Available in multiple languages (English, French, German, Italian, Dutch, and Spanish), this course is your secret weapon for summer success. Whether you run a cozy guesthouse, a charming boutique hotel, or a unique B&B, you'll discover how to set rates that fill rooms without leaving money on the table, reach more of your ideal guests without breaking the bank, and streamline those time-consuming daily tasks. Summer can make or break the year for independent hotels. When you're wearing multiple hats and competing with big chains, having simple, effective strategies, paired with the right tools, can be the difference between a good season and a great one. This course gives you practical tips you can use right away to take control of your peak season with confidence. Nadine Böttcher, Head of Product Innovation at Lighthouse Three simple steps to summer success The course breaks down summer success into three easy-to-follow chapters: Chapter 1: Set Prices That Fill Rooms AND Maximize Profits - Stop guessing at your room rates! Learn how to set the right price at the right time based on what's actually happening in your market. See exactly how to track the money each room brings in and make smart adjustments that boost your bottom line, even if you've never looked at a spreadsheet before. Set Prices That Fill Rooms AND Maximize Profits - Stop guessing at your room rates! Learn how to set the right price at the right time based on what's actually happening in your market. See exactly how to track the money each room brings in and make smart adjustments that boost your bottom line, even if you've never looked at a spreadsheet before. Chapter 2: Get More Bookings Without Drowning in OTA Fees - Discover which booking channels actually work for properties like yours. Learn how to balance OTAs with your own website bookings, and how to choose specialty platforms that connect you with guests who'll love what makes your property special,all while keeping those commission costs under control. Get More Bookings Without Drowning in OTA Fees - Discover which booking channels actually work for properties like yours. Learn how to balance OTAs with your own website bookings, and how to choose specialty platforms that connect you with guests who'll love what makes your property special,all while keeping those commission costs under control. Chapter 3: Run Your Hotel Smoothly (Even When You're Short-Staffed) - Transform how you manage daily operations so you can step away from the front desk and focus on what matters. See how fellow independent hoteliers have automated routine tasks, freed up their team's time, and created seamless guest experiences without hiring more staff. Each chapter includes real-life success stories from independent hoteliers just like you, showing exactly how these strategies work in properties of all sizes:from tiny B&Bs to 50-room boutique hotels. By the end of the course, you'll have a clear action plan tailored to your property that you can put into place immediately, just in time for your busiest season. We created this course specifically for independent hoteliers who don't have time to wade through theory and jargon , adds Böttcher. Everything is practical, tested, and designed to help you turn overwhelming data into clear decisions that boost your bottom line while preserving that personal touch that makes your property special . Complete the course and the final quiz, and you'll receive an official certification to show off to your guests and team. Start your summer success journey today The entire course is available now at absolutely no cost. Learn at your own pace, whenever you have a spare moment, even if it's just 15 minutes between check-ins. Join fellow independent hoteliers already using these strategies at: dependent-hotels-2025. About Lighthouse Lighthouse is the leading commercial platform for the travel & hospitality industry. We transform complexity into confidence by providing actionable market insights, business intelligence, and pricing tools that maximize revenue growth. We continually innovate to deliver the best platform for hospitality professionals to price more effectively, measure performance more efficiently, and understand the market in new ways. Trusted by over 70,000 hotels in 185 countries, Lighthouse is the only solution that provides real-time hotel and short-term rental data in a single platform. We strive to deliver the best possible experience with unmatched customer service. We consider our clients as true partners—their success is our success. For more information about Lighthouse, please visit: Adam Swart Global Head of Brand
