Elektra Cloud Hotel System, launched as a jointly developed software in collaboration with Microsoft, offers great convenience to hotels regarding reservations. We spoke with Kemal Oral, Head of Talya Bilişim Technology Development Group, about the Elektra Cloud Hotel System, Turkey’s first online reservation system connected directly to hotels.
What are the main features of Elektra Cloud Hotel System and what does it mean for hotels?
Elektra Cloud Hotel System automatically retrieves hotel price and availability data and simultaneously offers them for sale on all major websites worldwide, including the hotel’s own website. Reservations made through these sites are also automatically transferred back to the hotel’s system. Thus, the hotel can offer all its available capacity to all channels globally at the same time.
Developed by Talya, the producer of Elektra—the most widely used hotel automation system in Turkey with over 2,000 hotels—the Elektra Cloud Hotel System connects directly to all Elektra hotels in Turkey and opens them for online sales.
How was Elektra Cloud Hotel System developed?
It is the result of nearly 20 years of Talya’s technological expertise in the tourism sector, combined with the experience of industry professionals and successful cooperation. Elektra Cloud Hotel System is a joint brand of Talya and Microsoft, with Microsoft fully collaborating on development, hosting, and global promotion. Talya received two TÜBİTAK R&D project supports over the last five years for this development. The system was prepared with support from many internationally recognized experts and consultants.
Why is such a system needed? Why is the online reservation rate low in Turkey?
This is mainly due to the current infrastructure in Turkey. Hotels are still sold offline on both domestic and foreign websites, meaning room prices and availability must be manually entered via the website management panel. These sites cannot see real-time room availability at the hotel; they only sell based on pre-allocated quotas. As a result, real-time opportunities are missed and only a small portion of actual capacity is offered online. Hotels often divide this small capacity among several online sites. Consequently, Turkey’s online reservation rate is much lower than in developed countries.
What solutions have been developed in Europe and the USA for online reservations?
Hotels in Europe and the USA have long established live connections between hotel websites and sales systems via their chains. Independent hotels use integration companies called Channel Managers to manage all sales channels online from a centralized system.
Can you explain the security system of Elektra Cloud Hotel System?
Hosted on Microsoft-backed world-class, highly secure servers, Elektra Cloud Hotel System is among the safest systems worldwide despite its low cost.
What is the cost of Elektra Cloud Hotel System for hotels?
Being cloud-based, there are no license fees—only a subscription fee. Unlike other software, there is no need to invest in operating systems or servers. There are no extra commissions or fixed fees per reservation beyond the monthly subscription. It is a technology investment, and no revenue is taken from the hotel’s sales.
Do hotels pay commissions per reservation to agencies or other portals?
Yes, hotels pay commissions to other websites or online agencies according to their agreements, but this is unrelated to Elektra Cloud Hotel System, which takes no share from these payments.
Can hotels receive online reservations directly on their own website through Elektra Cloud Hotel System?
Yes. If a hotel does not have a website, it can use Elektra Cloud Hotel System’s online interface as its own. This site operates in 20 languages and 40 currencies, with a prestigious, professional design customizable via an advanced content management system.
Can hotels take commission-free reservations on their own website via Elektra Cloud Hotel System?
Yes. They can collect payment online by credit card or block the payment to be collected at the hotel.
How does the system help hotels become known on social media?
Elektra Cloud Hotel System integrates with Facebook and Twitter. The hotel’s Facebook page becomes a reservation form. It is accessible via Google Maps. Updates made in the hotel’s system—such as new campaigns, added photos, or likes—automatically appear on the hotel’s and followers’ pages.
Does Elektra Cloud Hotel System enable CRM for hotels?
Yes. Hotels strengthen and maintain online communication with guests. Given the importance of CRM and networking for success today, this is a significant development. Guests can use mobile devices not only to book reservations but also to access services, fill surveys, or book SPA and tennis court sessions. The key feature is leveraging social media and mobile devices for hotel sales, promotion, and marketing.
How does Elektra Cloud Hotel System affect the use of other online systems?
It is not an alternative to Expedia, Booking, or HRS. On the contrary, it automatically transfers room and price information to these platforms, helping hotels work more efficiently and sell more rooms simultaneously across all portals.
What innovations does it provide for agencies?
Agencies benefit from real-time, accurate data flow like other online reservation systems. Elektra Cloud Hotel System offers XML data transfer to all agency systems. Hotels can share data and receive online bookings by providing user codes and passwords to preferred agencies.
How is payment received?
Hotels need only enter virtual POS user information from their banks to receive online payments. Elektra Cloud Hotel System integrates with all banks in Turkey. For hotels that do not want virtual POS, Talya develops special payment systems with Denizbank, enabling credit card payments with very low commission rates credited directly to bank accounts.
Expert opinion from Salih Cene, World Skal Development Director and system architect:
As a hotel manager, I see this technology as overdue for Turkey. This system has long been used in Europe and especially the USA. It does not threaten travel agencies or their operations; rather, it eases their work. I don’t foresee competition or conflict with agencies but expect coordinated cooperation. Some initial challenges may arise with foreign tour operators preparing packages for Turkey, but they face similar issues in Europe and are taking measures. Similar precautions could be taken in Turkey as well.
Widespread use of this system will make implementation easier, and its additional benefits may encourage adoption by more hotels. The system provides real-time 24-hour access to services, unlike older manual methods that required communication and caused delays.
Ultimately, this system will bring economic development and financial advantages to hotels.
