The connectivity gap: what sets high-performing hotels apart

Add the property, load the rates, and wait for the bookings to come in. 

Historically, connectivity was about syncing the basics. But new research shows the stakes are higher. Expedia Group partnered with Censuswide to survey 1,500 hotel decision makers across six markets. The findings show properties with deeper connectivity reported stronger business impact, less manual work, and greater confidence that critical updates reach every channel. 

That’s why connectivity is no longer just how hotels connect to channels; it’s how they compete.

The clearest signal in the research is commercial. 81% of fully connected properties say connectivity improved occupancy, ADR, or RevPAR, compared with 52% of properties using basic connectivity. That makes fully connected properties 1.6x more likely to report improvement across key revenue-driving metrics.

This illustrates how hotel software has evolved from basic operational setup to revenue infrastructure. With stronger connectivity, teams have more control to price dynamically, protect accuracy across channels, reconcile bookings more efficiently, and see more clearly what is happening across the business.

And this gap points to a bigger mindset shift. The more connected the property, the more likely hoteliers are to see connectivity as a key growth driver. 83% of fully connected properties believe better connectivity improves the bottom line, compared with 55% of properties using basic connectivity and 26% of unconnected properties. 

For hotel leaders evaluating where to focus next, this peer signal matters. The properties leaning further into connectivity are also more likely to see its strategic value.

A hotel can be present on the right channels and still leave opportunity behind.

Channel performance depends on a lot of moving parts, from rates and availability to restrictions, promotions, reservation changes, and reconciliation. When those tasks still rely on manual updates or disconnected tools, every change takes more effort and creates more friction.

In the research, fully connected properties reported automating more of this work, including rate and availability updates, length-of-stay restrictions, promotions, reservation changes, and reconciliation.

81% of fully connected properties say working with a connectivity provider reduced friction and manual work, compared with 49% of properties using basic connectivity.

Reduced manual work is not just an efficiency gain. It gives teams more time for the decisions that shape results, from pricing and promotions to inventory strategy and revenue optimization.

The next opportunity is extending automation deeper into channel execution so fewer updates rely on manual effort and teams can manage distribution with less friction and more confidence.

More channel work is moving into software as connectivity deepens, from rates and availability to restrictions, promotions, reservation changes, and reconciliation. But even among fully connected properties, automation is not complete, which leaves more room to reduce manual effort across the workflow.

A delayed update, mismatched room count, or reservation that does not reach the right system can create issues that affect revenue, operations, and the guest experience all at once.

We all know there is more to hotel success than creating upside. Reducing operational risk is just as important.

The research shows confidence rises with connectivity depth. 75% of fully connected properties feel very or extremely confident that rate and availability changes are made across all channels within 15 minutes, compared with 50% of properties using basic connectivity and 35% of unconnected properties.

Unconnected properties were also more likely to experience OTA issues, including overbookings caused by mismatched availability and reservations not being delivered, or being delayed, in their PMS or front office system.

Across the research, one pattern is clear. The more connected a property is, the stronger its reported business impact, productivity, and reliability.

That is why stronger connectivity is becoming a growth decision, not just a technology decision. It is also why the foundation matters more now.

Expedia Group is building toward autonomous distribution, a more software-driven way for properties to onboard, manage, and optimize their Expedia Group distribution. It starts with autonomous onboarding, API capabilities designed to reduce manual steps, increase status visibility, and help properties get live faster.

But onboarding is only the beginning. The larger vision is a more connected operating model where hotels can manage inventory, run day-to-day operations, and optimize performance directly through their software with future autonomous distribution capabilities.

For hotel leaders, the opportunity is clear: Stronger connectivity can help properties operate with more confidence today and prepare for a more automated future.