The Fundamentals of Hotel Distribution (Coursera)

Offered by ESSEC Business School,
The Fundamentals of Hotel Distribution (Coursera)

In today’s hotel sector an increasingly complex network of traditional and web based channels have to be managed to insure hotel success. Key questions include: how should you distribute over the web? What should you include on your brand.com website so people book through it? How can you maximise the potential of online travel agents (OTAs)? With the distribution environment both highly complex and constantly evolving, this course will give you comprehensive foundation of current industry practices to help jumpstart your career in this fascinating domain.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see Coursera's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

Course 1 of 4 in the Hotel Management: Distribution, Revenue and Demand Management Specialization.

Syllabus

WEEK 1
Setting the scene
The hotel business has evolved from its early days to today. Through this evolution, it has become increasingly specialized. This module introduces the business models, strategies for growth, levels of competition and biggest changes and challenges hotels have to face today.

WEEK 2
A deep dive into hotel distribution
After a rapid introduction of key pieces of terminology and technology, this module will examine in details the components of online distribution today, and focus on how to make the most of an increasingly complex distribution system.

WEEK 3
Direct distribution: the key to hotel success
Distributing directly, thus building an effective and efficient website, is an essential success factor. Through this module, you will have a deep understanding of the web development process but also understand the cost of driving traffic, and the importance of using indirect distribution and online marketing techniques.

WEEK 4
How to manage your OTA
In this final module you will attack the critical issue of how to work better with Online Travel Agents. Learning best practices from OTA managers themselves, you will make sure that you are exploiting these valuable and fast growing points of sale to their maximum potential.

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Mastering the Art of Cross-Functional Collaboration (Coursera) Coursera
University of Colorado Boulder

Mastering the Art of Cross-Functional Collaboration (Coursera)

Every element of this course is focused on preparing you to understand yourself and how you lead. Your clarity comes from your heart, your intuition, and your mind. At the end of the day, the way you lead has to come from who you are. It will be up to you to figure this out for yourself.

Jun 26th 2026
2 Weeks
Project Execution: Running the Project (Coursera) Coursera
Google

Project Execution: Running the Project (Coursera)

This is the fourth course in the Google Project Management Certificate program. This course will delve into the execution and closing phases of the project life cycle. You will learn what aspects of a project to track and how to track them. You will also learn how to effectively manage and communicate changes, dependencies, and risks. As you explore quality management, you will learn how to measure customer satisfaction and implement continuous improvement and process improvement techniques. Next, you will examine how to prioritize data, how to use data to inform your decision-making, and how to effectively present that data.

Jun 24th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Financial Markets (Coursera) Coursera
Yale University

Financial Markets (Coursera)

An overview of the ideas, methods, and institutions that permit human society to manage risks and foster enterprise. Emphasis on financially-savvy leadership skills. Description of practices today and analysis of prospects for the future. Introduction to risk management and behavioral finance principles to understand the real-world functioning of securities, insurance, and banking industries. The ultimate goal of this course is using such industries effectively and towards a better society.

Jun 22nd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Project Management Essentials (Coursera) Coursera
Howard University

Project Management Essentials (Coursera)

This introductory course provides a comprehensive overview of project management principles, methodologies, and best practice. The Project Management Essentials course is designed for professionals at various career stages, from beginners to those seeking a refresher. The course equips learners with a foundational understanding of the key elements of project management.

Jun 26th 2026
4 Weeks
Design Thinking for Innovation (Coursera) Coursera
University of Virginia

Design Thinking for Innovation (Coursera)

Today innovation is everyone's business. Whether you are a manager in a global corporation, an entrepreneur starting up, in a government role, or a teacher in an elementary school, everyone is expected to get lean – to do better with less. And that is why we all need design thinking. At every level in every kind of organization, design thinking provides the tools you need to become an innovative thinker and uncover creative opportunities that are there – you're just not seeing them yet.

Jun 22nd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Becoming a Sports Agent (Coursera) Coursera
Case Western Reserve University

Becoming a Sports Agent (Coursera)

An immersive experience in the world of sports that will take students through the four stages of a professional athlete's career. Utilizing lectures, guest speakers, reading assignments and hypothetical walkthroughs, students will learn how the best sports agents manage clients at each of these four stages. This course will provide each student with the skills necessary to guide an athlete through the difficult decisions that can make or lose the athlete millions of dollars, as well as affect their public image and career.

Jun 22nd 2026
5-12 Weeks
International Business I (Coursera) Coursera
University of New Mexico

International Business I (Coursera)

We live in a world of intensifying global relationships, one in which international business has become the key determinant of economic development and prosperity. This course, Global Business Environment, Part I, introduces students to a fundamental understanding of the socioeconomic political, cultural, and linguistic environment in which international businesses operate.

Jun 22nd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Foundations of Hotel Budgeting and Forecasting (Coursera) Coursera
Starweaver

Foundations of Hotel Budgeting and Forecasting (Coursera)

The "Foundations of Hotel Budgeting and Forecasting" course is designed to equip learners with the essential skills and knowledge needed to excel in the dynamic hospitality industry. As the industry continues to evolve, effective budgeting and forecasting have become imperative for hotel management. This course offers a comprehensive understanding of fundamental concepts, practices, and tools in hotel budgeting and forecasting, making it an ideal choice for various target learners.

Jun 22nd 2026
4 Weeks