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Where Do Hotels Compete the Hardest in Corporate Travel Bidding?

Introduction

Every corporate travel program has markets where hotels are eager to win business, and others where options are limited. Understanding where hotels compete the hardest in corporate travel bidding can make or break a company’s sourcing strategy.

The dynamics of hotel competition vary by geography, demand patterns, and corporate footprint. In some cities, oversupply drives aggressive bidding wars; in others, hotels hold the leverage. For travel managers, identifying competitive markets is essential to negotiating better rates and building stronger preferred programs.

With tools like ReadyBid-the best hotel rfp tool for sourcing, bidding, and procurement teams managing global hotel programs-companies can instantly see where competition is strongest and use automation to maximize leverage. Unlike legacy methods, ReadyBid integrates hotel rfp software with competitive bidding features, enabling travel managers to expand hotel participation beyond their initial solicitation lists.

Section 1: Why Hotel Competition Varies by Market

Hotels compete hardest in certain markets because of:

  • Supply vs. Demand Balance - Oversupply of hotels drives lower rates.

  • Corporate Traveler Concentration - Business-heavy cities like New York or London attract fierce competition.

  • Seasonality - Hotels in leisure-heavy markets may discount more in off-peak months.

  • Chain Presence - Cities with multiple chain properties competing for corporate accounts.

Competitive markets create opportunities for buyers to extract better savings through broader RFP participation.

Section 2: High-Competition Markets

Some cities consistently see the most aggressive bidding from hotels:

  • New York City - Largest concentration of business travelers; hundreds of hotels competing for contracts.

  • London - A global hub with high supply and corporate demand.

  • Singapore - Strong competition due to its regional business significance.

  • Chicago - Major conference city with oversupply of hotels.

  • Dallas & Houston - Energy and finance demand drives competition among full-service chains.

In these markets, companies often benefit from ReadyBid’s smart hotel bidding platforms that expand hotel participation beyond the core solicitation list.

Section 3: Secondary Cities Where Competition Spikes

Beyond major hubs, certain secondary cities deliver surprising competition:

  • Charlotte & Raleigh - Financial sector activity increases demand.

  • Austin & Denver - Tech expansion drives hotel competition.

  • Warsaw & Prague - Regional hubs with strong chain presence.

  • São Paulo & Mexico City - Latin America’s corporate centers with varied suppliers.

In these destinations, hotels may compete harder for corporate accounts to balance fluctuating leisure demand.

Section 4: Markets Where Hotels Hold the Power

Conversely, there are locations where hotels have more leverage and competition is limited:

  • Remote Project Sites - Few hotels, little incentive to discount.

  • Resort Cities in Peak Season - Leisure demand crowds out corporate discounts.

  • Government-Restricted Locations - Limited supply, high demand from mandated travelers.

In these markets, savings are harder to achieve, and procurement leaders rely more on compliance tools than aggressive bidding.

Section 5: How Competitive Bidding Shifts Negotiation Power

Competitive bidding shifts the balance by:

  • Expanding Hotel Participation - Alternate hotels join the process.

  • Driving Down Rates - Increased competition forces properties to offer better discounts.

  • Improving Amenities - Hotels differentiate with Wi-Fi, breakfast, or shuttle services.

  • Reducing Leakage - When more traveler-friendly options are offered, employees stay in-program.

ReadyBid enables this by embedding hotel rfp process automation into competitive bidding, making it seamless to include additional hotels.

Section 6: Who Benefits Most From Competitive Markets?

  • Corporate Travel Managers - Leverage higher competition for savings.

  • Procurement Leaders - Demonstrate ROI through measurable year-over-year savings.

  • TMCs - Deliver more attractive options to clients using the travel management company hotel sourcing platform.

  • Travelers - Gain access to better hotels at lower rates.

  • Hotels - Even smaller or independent properties can win corporate accounts through aggressive bidding.

Section 7: Case Study - Competitive Market Success

A Fortune 500 company used ReadyBid in London and secured:

  • 14% savings across negotiated hotels

  • Complimentary breakfast and Wi-Fi from multiple chains

  • Expanded coverage by including 15 competitive bid hotels not on the initial list

This demonstrates how identifying high-competition markets maximizes results.

Section 8: Tools That Help Identify Competitive Markets

ReadyBid integrates analytics that show:

  • Number of hotels competing per city

  • Benchmark rates compared to bids

  • Hotel response times and participation rates

Using these insights, travel managers can prioritize markets for competitive bidding campaigns.

Section 9: Resources for Understanding Hotel Competition

Conclusion

Hotels don’t compete equally across all markets. Major hubs and growing secondary cities often see aggressive bidding, while remote or peak-season destinations give hotels more leverage. Understanding where competition is strongest helps procurement leaders allocate resources, negotiate better rates, and optimize programs.

Modern hotel rfp tools like ReadyBid give travel managers the visibility and automation needed to identify competitive markets and maximize results.

If your organization is ready to leverage hotel competition to save millions, now is the time to Book a Demo and see how ReadyBid transforms corporate hotel sourcing.

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