Online hotel bookings have not declined post-Covid but holidaymakers still want flexible hotel rates even if they cost more, the Future of Travel Conference was told.
Booking.com said it has enjoyed a “resilient recovery” since Covid with “higher than expected” room nights and bookings in the second quarter of the year.
And despite reports of increasing numbers of consumers turning to traditional travel agents since the pandemic, the OTA said it has not witnessed a drop off in sales since the pandemic.
Regional manager Ryan Pearson told the Travel Weekly conference that demand had remained high for flexible room rates which allow for refunds and amendments rather than returning to traditional booking patterns, in which cheaper, non-refundable rates can be a third of sales.
He said: “We didn’t see a dip in customers but over 90% of business in Covid and the year afterwards was on flexible rates. People wanted complete flexibility.
“We thought we would see it come back because at times non refundable business can be 30% of our business, but it’s not [come back], understandably given what has gone on this year.”