Glossary · Distribution

Direct booking

Direct booking · definition
  • A direct booking is a reservation made with the host directly — via your own website or repeat-guest contact — with no OTA commission taken.
  • Category: Distribution

The appeal and the catch

No commission sounds like free money, but direct bookings require your own marketing, payment processing, damage protection and legal terms — things OTAs bundle. Most independent hosts get the majority of demand from OTAs and treat direct as a bonus channel for repeat guests.

A realistic strategy

Deliver great stays through OTAs first; invite past guests to book direct next time. Chasing direct traffic before occupancy is solved optimises the wrong end of the funnel.

StaysOTA (online travel agency)
StaysRate parity

Part of the Stays short-term rental glossary.

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