Online travel agencies, or OTAs, connect travelers with the best of the travel industry. They’re popular among price-conscious travelers and bargain hunters who can compare options in one place.
In addition to offering a wide range of booking choices, they also provide access to regional market data and tools that can be costly to obtain independently.
Benefits
Online travel agencies (OTAs) are a “one-stop shop” for all things travel, allowing consumers to compare prices and book everything they need for their trip in one place. An OTA may arrange accommodation, tours, transportation and trips on its own or with third parties, or offer package deals (e.g., hotel + flight + car rental). It can also be the merchant of record for a booking, in which case it collects payment and is responsible for withholding and remitting taxes on the net rate.
There are many reasons why an OTA is popular with travelers, including the breadth of choices and the ability to price-compare offerings side by side. Moreover, OTAs are less likely to play price games that are sometimes used by airlines, hotels, and car rental companies. Those include quoting an initial low price then adding mandatory fees and taxes, which is something that irritates customers.
Another benefit of an OTA is that it can speed up the entire booking process. Instead of calling an agency and waiting to speak with someone, potential guests can simply fill out a form on the website and receive confirmation of their booking within minutes. In addition, an OTA can offer personalized add-ons for a more customized experience, such as hotel upgrades or discounted spa services.
Partnering with an OTA allows your property to reach a broad audience and generate more reservations. In fact, according to Phocuswright, OTAs account for 64% of online bookings of hotels & lodgings. However, you need to carefully manage your listings and pricing with an OTA to maximize the benefits. In addition, if you don’t have the right online booking system for your hotel, you’ll find it difficult to keep up with the competition and attract more guests. A hotel booking system will help you streamline the reservation process and boost customer satisfaction. You can learn more about how to develop a top-notch hotel booking system by downloading our free eBook.
Advantages
OTAs are an excellent way for travelers to compare prices and purchase travel services online. They are a one-stop shop for flights, hotels, short term rentals, cars and vacation packages. They also host reviews of various destinations and tours, making them an invaluable resource for potential visitors.
The convenience of using an OTA is obvious: it saves time by allowing users to research and book products from multiple sources in a single place. They can use filters to narrow down their options based on specific criteria and save money by bundling airfare, hotel and transportation into a package deal. OTAs also offer 24/7 customer support, which can be helpful in case of an emergency while traveling abroad.
Large OTAs have connections that they can leverage to negotiate discounts or waive fees for their customers. This is something that DIY travelers may not be able to take advantage of. For example, I’ve heard of many travelers who have been able to get their airline tickets refunded when they booked through an OTA, but not when they booked directly.
In addition to providing an easy-to-use platform for consumers, OTAs often have sophisticated data analytics and artificial intelligence capabilities that allow them to better understand consumer behavior and predict what types of products they might want. They can then use this information to customize their offerings and provide competitive pricing.
For tour & activity operators, partnering with an OTA can be a great way to reach a larger audience and drive sales. However, listing on an OTA can also decrease the number of direct bookings and subject businesses to their booking cancellation policies. This is known as the “billboard effect.” To maximize revenue, a business should focus on optimizing their own website and direct marketing strategies. This way, they can avoid the pitfalls of a reliant partnership with an OTA. online travel agency