In today’s OTA-dominated market, hotels face a persistent challenge: how to convert more guests on their direct channel. While OTAs offer convenience, they also cut into revenue and limit a hotel’s ability to build lasting relationships with travelers. To compete, hotels need to deliver something more: personalized experiences and tangible perks that make booking direct the obvious choice.

At The Hotels Network (THN), we have always believed that personalization is the most powerful driver of direct bookings. That is why our platform continuously evolves, equipping hotels with innovative features that make their direct channel stand out. The latest conversion driver? A unique perk designed to delight international travelers and boost conversions: free eSIM mobile data for every direct booking.

What is the eSIM perk?

Guests booking directly on a hotel’s website instantly receive 1GB of free mobile data. Travelers can connect to local networks without swapping SIM cards or worrying about roaming charges. They simply download the digital SIM, activate, and start browsing.
For hoteliers, this perk is seamless. There are no hidden costs and no operational burden for staff. The eSIM benefit is included with all THN Personalization plans, meaning all THN client hotels can offer guests real, immediate value.

Why it matters for hotels

Adding free eSIM data as a direct booking perk gives hotels a powerful competitive advantage:

• Stand out from OTAs: Offering a unique perk on the hotel website that goes beyond common booking perks to make the direct channel the preferred choice.
• Delight international guests: Travelers gain instant connectivity, reducing stress upon arrival and enhancing their stay from the start.
• Boost direct conversions: A tangible, easy-to-understand benefit provides guests with one more reason to book directly.
• Zero effort, no hidden costs: Hotels do not need to manage logistics. THN takes care of it all.
  

By layering eSIM into their personalization strategies, hotels are not only capturing more direct bookings but also strengthening loyalty by showing guests that every detail of their journey has been considered.

How hotel brands are already using eSIM

When international visitors land on the hotel website, they are immediately greeted with a welcome Layer introducing the eSIM perk. The message clearly highlights the value of booking direct by showcasing the offer of 1GB of free mobile data. By communicating the perk upfront, the hotel captures guest attention right away, creates a strong point of differentiation from OTAs, and gives travelers a practical reason to book on the direct channel.

Welcome Layer greeting hotel website visitors with the eSIM perk

The eSIM perk can also be introduced through a subtle Smart Note that blends seamlessly with the website’s design. The message emphasizes the hassle-free nature of the offer by highlighting instant activation with no SIM cards or roaming charges. With a clear and inviting call-to-action guiding visitors to “Plan my stay,” the hotel smoothly integrates the perk into the booking journey while keeping the focus on conversion.

Smart Note communicating eSIM as a hassle-free perk

The perk can also be featured in an Exit Message, triggered when a visitor is about to leave the website. Strategically timed, the message reminds potential guests of the value of booking direct and reinforces the ease and immediacy of the perk. At the same time, it includes the option to save the search via email, allowing the hotel to capture valuable first-party data and continue nurturing the relationship with the visitor, ultimately driving conversions even beyond the initial session.

Exit message promoting eSIM with Saved Search

Part of a bigger picture

The launch of the eSIM perk is more than just a new feature. It is a signal of THN’s ongoing commitment to innovation. From advanced targeting to dynamic campaigns and now perks like eSIM, THN clients can trust that their direct channel strategy will always stay ahead of the curve. The eSIM perk is just the latest way we are helping hoteliers drive more conversions, increase revenue, and create meaningful connections with their guests.