Despegar: A Comprehensive Guide for Hotels

As one of the largest and most trusted OTAs in Latin America, Despegar offers a unique opportunity for hotels to tap into a thriving market of millions of travelers. But how can hotels best leverage this platform?

This guide dives into what Despegar offers, why hotels should list their properties, and actionable tips to optimize your presence and maximize success.

Why Despegar?

Despegar stands out as a key player in the Latin American travel market, offering features and services tailored to meet the needs of both travelers and accommodation providers. For hotels, the platform delivers:

1. Unparalleled Exposure
   Despegar attracts millions of travelers annually, providing unparalleled visibility for hotels. With a strong presence across Latin America, it connects hotels with a targeted audience seeking diverse accommodation options.
2. Localized Market Expertise
   Despegar’s deep understanding of regional preferences ensures your property is positioned effectively in markets like Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico.
3. Integrated Marketing Support
   Hotels listed on Despegar benefit from the platform’s aggressive marketing campaigns, which include email promotions, social media ads, and partnerships with airlines.
4. Data-Driven Insights
   Despegar provides valuable analytics to help hoteliers understand traveler behavior, booking trends, and competitive pricing strategies.

Benefits of Listing Your Hotel on Despegar

1. Access to Latin America’s Growing Travel Market

Latin America’s travel market is booming, with more travelers planning trips and using OTAs to simplify the process. Despegar ensures your property is visible to this growing audience.

2. Increased Bookings and Revenue

Despegar drives bookings year-round, especially during off-peak seasons. By participating in the platform’s promotions and offering competitive rates, hotels can boost occupancy rates and revenue.

3. Flexible Payment Solutions for Guests

Despegar allows travelers to pay in installments—a key feature for many Latin American markets. This flexibility increases the likelihood of bookings, especially for high-value stays.

4. Enhanced Brand Visibility

By listing on Despegar, hotels increase their presence among travelers who may not have otherwise discovered them. This exposure can translate into more direct bookings in the long term.

How to List Your Hotel on Despegar

Getting your hotel listed on Despegar is simple, but creating an optimized listing requires strategy. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Register as a Partner & Despegar Login

Visit Despegar’s website and navigate to the “Partners” section. Complete the registration form with your property’s details. Then, log in to Despegar.

Step 2: Create an Engaging Listing

Your listing is your first impression. Include:

• High-Quality Photos: Showcase your rooms, amenities, and unique features.
• Comprehensive Descriptions: Highlight your property’s location, services, and attractions nearby.
• Accurate Information: Ensure pricing, policies, and availability are always up-to-date.

Step 3: Set Strategic Pricing

Despegar is a competitive marketplace. Offer rates that are attractive while aligning with your revenue management goals. Consider discounts during off-peak periods to increase bookings.

Step 4: Optimize Your Listing

Use Despegar’s tools to analyze the performance of your listing. Make adjustments to photos, descriptions, and pricing as needed to stay competitive.

Step 5: Engage with Travelers

Respond to inquiries promptly and manage guest reviews professionally. Positive engagement boosts your credibility and visibility.

Optimizing Your Presence on Despegar

Once your hotel is listed, optimization is key to standing out. Here’s how to make your property shine:

1. Showcase Unique Selling Points (USPs)

Highlight what makes your property special. Whether it’s a scenic view, eco-friendly practices, or luxurious amenities, make these features clear in your listing.

2. Participate in Promotions

Despegar often runs special promotions, such as flash sales or discounts tied to seasonal events. Participating in these campaigns can significantly boost your bookings.

3. Encourage Reviews

Guest reviews are critical for building trust and attracting more travelers. Encourage satisfied guests to leave positive feedback on the platform.

4. Use Analytics to Refine Your Strategy

Despegar provides insights into traveler behavior, booking patterns, and market trends. Use this data to optimize pricing, improve your listing, and tailor your offerings.

Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

1. Maintaining Competitive Pricing

In a crowded marketplace, price often determines booking decisions. Use Despegar’s analytics to monitor competitors and adjust rates dynamically.

2. Handling Guest Expectations

Transparency is key. Clearly state your policies and avoid overpromising. This ensures satisfied guests and positive reviews.

3. Managing Availability

Keep your calendar updated to prevent overbookings or confusion. Integrating a channel manager can streamline this process.

Pro Tips for Hotels on Despegar

Invest in High-Quality Visuals

Listings with professional photos perform significantly better. Showcase well-lit, inviting images of your rooms, common areas, and amenities. An AI moderation tool can ensure that all your images meet brand standards, saving loads of time each day.

Offer Exclusive Perks

Attract attention by offering perks like free breakfast, early check-ins, or discounts for extended stays.

Respond Quickly

Fast response times improve guest satisfaction and can lead to better reviews and rankings on the platform.

Leverage Promotions

Regularly participate in Despegar’s marketing opportunities to maintain visibility and drive bookings.

The Future of Despegar for Hotels

Despegar continues to evolve, incorporating new features like AI-driven traveler recommendations and personalized booking options. As the platform grows, hotels that maintain an active and optimized presence will enjoy even greater benefits.

By staying ahead of trends and leveraging the tools Despegar offers, hotels can capitalize on the platform’s success while building their brand in one of the world’s most dynamic travel markets.

Increasing Despegar Listing Conversions

For hotels looking to increase visitors from South America, Despegar provides a unique and powerful platform. From increased visibility and bookings to data-driven insights and marketing support, the benefits are clear.

OCUS can help you increase the conversion rate of your Despegar listings by:

• Providing On-Demand Photoshoots: Access a global network of 35,000+ professional photographers for high-quality, captivating images.
• Optimizing Visuals at Scale: Use AI-driven enhancement to improve lighting, colors, and composition, ensuring every photo looks its best across Despegar and all your other OTA platforms.
• Automating Image Moderation: Protect your brand with real-time content moderation, ensuring all visuals meet Despegar’s quality standards.
• Delivering a Performance Score: Quantify and improve the ROI of your images with advanced analytics that drive bookings.

OCUS’s solutions can increase conversion rates by 30%.