What best describes the function of a booking engine for hotels?

The function of a booking engine for hotels primarily revolves around facilitating online reservations. A booking engine is an online tool that enables guests to search for available accommodations, compare options, and make reservations directly through a hotel’s website or third-party platforms. This streamlined process enhances the guest experience by permitting quick and easy booking, allowing for real-time room availability checks and instant confirmation of reservations.

In the hospitality industry, a booking engine plays a crucial role in maximizing occupancy rates and generating revenue. By simplifying the booking process, it encourages potential guests to complete their reservations without the need for external assistance, reducing the workload on hotel staff and minimizing the chances of human error.

The other options do have their own importance in hotel operations but do not accurately describe the primary function of a booking engine. Managing guest feedback, selling hotel merchandise, and designing hotel websites are all valuable components of the overall guest experience and operational efficiency, but they do not directly relate to the core purpose of a booking engine.