{"id":2121,"date":"2026-09-04T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-04T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/destinalytics.com\/?p=2121"},"modified":"2026-08-31T17:41:00","modified_gmt":"2026-08-31T15:41:00","slug":"why-ota-dependence-is-a-strategic-risk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/destinalytics.com\/en\/why-ota-dependence-is-a-strategic-risk\/","title":{"rendered":"Why OTA Dependence Is a Strategic Risk"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When I talk to owners of hospitality properties, I often notice great enthusiasm for the \u201cfully booked\u201d status. But as an economist, my first question is always different: how much of that revenue actually stays in your pocket?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1<\/span>The Hidden Cost of OTA Dependence: Beyond the Commission<\/a><\/span><\/div>
2<\/span>3 Strategies to Increase Direct Bookings (Now)<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

We know that Booking and Expedia keep commissions between 15% and 30%.<\/strong> Add visibility programs like Genius or Preferred and margins get even thinner. But the commission is just the tip of the iceberg.<\/strong> There are invisible costs, often ignored, that undermine the long-term economic sustainability of your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Hidden Cost of OTA Dependence:<\/strong> Beyond the Commission<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Imagine building a beautiful villa on land that doesn\u2019t belong to you. If the landowner decides to change the rules or evict you, you lose everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Basing your business only on OTAs (Online Travel Agencies<\/em>) means exactly this: building on someone else\u2019s land. Accepting an intermediated booking carries a very high CAC<\/strong> (Customer Acquisition Cost).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A property generating \u20ac100,000 in revenue through OTAs, with an average commission of 18%, pays \u20ac18,000 a year to third parties. Resources that could be reinvested in the property, the staff, or owned marketing.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

However, the strategic damage goes beyond the immediate money and comes down to three fundamental losses:<\/p>\n\n\n\n