A channel manager is a software tool used in the hospitality industry that allows hotels to sell their rooms on multiple online booking sites at the same time, including online travel agents and the hotel’s direct booking channel. The channel manager automatically updates availability in real-time across all sites when a booking is made or when there are changes to inventory. The tool allows hoteliers to manage the channels they list on and analyze which channels are performing best to optimize connections and increase revenue. There are many channel management companies available, with some more suited to smaller properties, while others are ideal for larger hotels and chains. The benefits of a channel manager include increasing online bookings, revenue and eliminating the risk of overbookings, improving brand recognition, boosting direct bookings, and creating an integrated tech stack. The data obtained from a channel manager also helps hotels improve their long-term business planning by continually updating their business strategy.