Hotel Discovery
Breaking free from broker monopolies through verifiable hotel credentials and direct discovery.
The Problem: Hotel Discovery & Broker Domination
The hotel industry is a striking example of how centralization locks value. Today, nearly all hotel reservations happen through brokering platforms like Booking.com, Expedia, Agoda, or Airbnb. These intermediaries capture a huge share of hotel revenues and quietly raise room costs for travelers.
The Paradox
While users believe they’re saving money, they actually pay more, since hotels must increase their prices to cover broker fees.
Market Reality
If a hotel isn’t listed on broker platforms, it effectively doesn’t exist in the market.
Current Centralized Model
Travelers
Search and book through centralized platforms
Brokers
Control visibility and extract high commissions
Hotels
Pay high commissions for visibility
Hotel Management Systems Today
To manage their properties, hotels rely on Hotel Management Systems (HMS)—either proprietary SaaS or open source solutions. Open source HMS let properties keep control, but discovery is still broker-controlled.
Why Open Source HMS Appeals to Hotels
No Vendor Lock-in
Host software anywhere and maintain full control.
Data Ownership
Hotels retain complete ownership of their data.
Key Open Source Modules
- Property Management System (PMS)
- Booking Engine
- Hotel Website Builder
- Hotel Mobile App Skeleton
Software Add-ons
Channel managers that sync inventory with broker platforms.
Custom Development
Tailored features for specific hotel groups or specialist operators.
Managed Hosting
Running the HMS stack for properties that don’t want to self-host.
The Visibility Problem Remains
These systems work well for hotel operations, but visibility is still dictated by brokers. Even when hotels run their own sites or apps, most new guests still arrive via the broker monopoly.
Enter Verana: Making Hotels Instantly Discoverable
Verana changes the game by removing dependency on centralized brokers.
Create a Hotel Ecosystem in Verana
- Establish rules via an Ecosystem Governance Framework (EGF).
- Create a Trust Registry and define a Hotel Credential Schema in Verana.
Add Verifiable Trust to Open Source HMS Software
Integrate Verana’s Verifiable Trust stack into booking engines, PMS, and mobile apps.
Launch a Verifiable User Agent
- Build a global mobile app or website (the “HMS Provider App”).
- Function as a browser for verifiable hotels.
- Act as a broker competitor—without extracting rents.
Hotels Attach Their Credentials
Trust Layer
VPR, DID Directory, Search API
HMS Providers
Governance & User Agents
Hotels
Verifiable Services
Travelers
Direct Search & Booking
What Everyone Gains
What Hotels Gain
Searchable
In the HMS Provider’s global app.
Bookable Directly
Bypassing brokers completely.
Empowered
Interact with guests through verifiable credentials.
What Guests Gain
Trustworthy Search
Verifiable discovery experience.
Direct Booking
Book directly with hotels via the HMS Provider app.
Privacy-Preserving
Identity verified but never exploited.
The Verifiable Hotel Discovery Journey
Discover & Trust
Search hotels with trust filters.
Verify Results
View verified credentials and governance.
Verify & Book
Check credentials and create reservation.
Direct Booking
Confirmation without intermediaries.
Why This Matters
For Hotels
Regain independence, protect margins, and own the guest relationship.
For Travelers
Lower prices, verified reviews, and transparent offers.
For HMS Providers
Compete with global brokers by offering open, decentralized visibility.
For the Internet
A public-good trust layer that returns value to participants.
Conclusion
The hotel industry doesn’t need to be trapped by centralized brokers. By using Verana’s decentralized trust infrastructure, Hotel Management Systems can transform discovery and bookings.
Instant Visibility
Make hotels visible without intermediaries.
Trustworthy Interactions
Enable credential-based interactions between hotels and guests.
Fair Economic Model
A privacy-preserving approach where value stays with participants.
The Hotel Revolution
With Verana, hotels can finally say: “We own our reservations, our reputation, and our data.”
Ready to Liberate Your Hotel Business?
Join the revolution in decentralized hotel discovery and take back control from centralized brokers.