Reduce OTA commission
Online Travel Agents (OTA’s) – such as booking.com, expedia, etc. – dominate the digital landscape for travel.
Online Travel Agents (OTA’s) – such as booking.com, expedia, etc. – dominate the digital landscape for travel.
More than half of all travellers will use an OTA to plan their travel requirements, and so OTA’s are a key distribution channel for most travel businesses. However, whilst OTA’s can undoubtedly help to reach new customers, if left unmanaged they can take advantage of your brand and this can often be accompanied by a hefty commission bill.
Reducing your dependence on OTA’s is possible, but it requires a coordinated approach across many facets of your business (sales, legal, marketing & revenue management). In many cases OTA’s can be your friend, as they have the ability to drive volume, and they can reach markets in which you are not well represented. So, they can be your strategic partner in countries you’re not already marketing yourselves in. In the majority of cases however, the OTA’s target your brand name and aim to convert your customers to booking with them.
Not only do you increase your distribution costs, you lose control of your brand.
Identify digital marketing strategies to encourage customers to book direct
Protect your brand via Online Advertising
Monitor brand attacks from OTA’s and advise search engines where OTA’s do not comply with regulations
Advise on which OTA’s are aligned with your brand
Advertise your direct rates & availability on Metasearch websites such as Google Hotel Finder, TripAdvisor and Kayak.
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