Hotel-tech glossary

API

Application Programming Interface. The contract by which two software systems exchange data.

An API (Application Programming Interface) is the formal mechanism by which one software system requests data or actions from another. In the hotel-tech context, API quality is the deciding factor in integration depth: a deep modern REST API exposes reservations, guest profiles, rates, and inventory with bidirectional updates and webhook callbacks. Legacy systems offering only periodic XML exports are integration-incapable for modern workflows.

Related terms

Webhook

A callback URL that one system pings when an event occurs in another system.

PMS

Property Management System. The core software that runs hotel operations and reservations.

Channel Manager

Software that syncs rates and inventory across multiple OTAs from one place.

Part of the hotel-tech glossary. Maintained by Maciej Dudziak, founder of Guestivo.