Hotel API, XML or Extranet for Travel Companies
Short answer: an extranet is a website where people book or manage inventory by hand. An API connects two systems so bookings happen automatically. XML is one data format an API can use; many newer APIs use JSON instead. The choice depends on volume and on whether you have developers to build and maintain the connection.
Part of our guide to hotel connectivity for partners.
Side by side
| Extranet or account login | API (XML or JSON) | |
|---|---|---|
| How bookings are made | By a person, on a website | Automatically, system to system |
| Set-up | An account | A development project, testing, and a signed agreement |
| Best for | Low to medium volume, varied requests | High volume, live availability on your own site |
| Maintenance | None on your side | Ongoing, as both systems change |
XML or JSON?
Both describe the same data: hotels, rooms, rates, and bookings. XML is long established in travel distribution; JSON is common in newer web APIs and is lighter to work with. For a buyer, the format matters less than the quality of the availability, the speed of responses, and the clarity of booking conditions.
A sensible path
Book by account
Prove the product fits your clients.
Grow volume
Steady bookings show the integration is worth building.
Connect
Sign the agreement, receive the documentation, build, and test.
Questions
What is the difference between a hotel API and an extranet?
An extranet is a website used by a person; an API connects two systems so that searches and bookings happen automatically.
Is XML the same as an API?
No. XML is a data format. An API can exchange data in XML or in another format such as JSON.
When is an API worth building?
When booking volume is steady and high enough that manual booking costs more time than building and maintaining an integration.
Bedtara offers a direct connection by invitation to partners with a steady booking history. See Partner API.
Hotel booking API explained Static vs dynamic content Search, prebook, book
Book by account first
Open a business account and start booking Vietnam hotels.