Hotel Booking and Guest Management on the Ethereum Blockchain
Preamble
The hotel booking (OTA/GDS) and software industry (CM/PMS) is fragmented with no fewer than five different groups working for commission between travelers and hotels.
Problems include:
- High commission payments;
- Onerous legal agreements;
- Fragmented computer systems; and
- Data and Payment bottlenecks.
This results in:
- Complex system integrations;
- Dreadful user experiences (guests and operators),
- Reconciliation and auditing nightmares (costs, fees, commissions); and
- Lack of transparency for multi-property owners.
Below is a visual representation (Figure 1) of the various paths through which data flows:
Proposed Ecosystem
Use of blockchain technology can improve the flow of data, integrating identity and payment. This will dramatically reduce reconciliation and auditing tasks, lower commission costs, allow for improved API integrations, and reduce inventory over-booking.
Since BookLocal will act as a property management system, channel manager, and payment processor for the hotel and provide metasearch capabilities for the traveler, much of the current ecosystem can be bypassed. As such, figure 2 represents our vision after full implementation.
Proof of Concept Implementation
Below video shows a proof of concept of the core hotel functions:
- Book Room
- Check Status/Assign Room
- Check-In
- Check-Out/Settlement
From a technical standpoint, this version uses ERC721 to define non-fungible tokens and our proposed ERC809 to interface with renting functions.
Want to try it?
Sign up to participate at the EthMemphis Hackathon to explore blockchain solutions in the following industries:
- Supply Chain
- Travel, Hospitality, & Tourism
- Healthcare
- Education
- Legal
Follow us on Twitter: @booklocal_in
