Top OTAs for Hotels and Tourist Accommodation
Based on Redforts statistics, these are some of the leading hotel booking channels for hotels, hostels, serviced apartments and tourist accommodation businesses. OTAs (Online Travel Agencies) play a key role in increasing hotel reservations, improving online hotel distribution and boosting visibility across the main hotel booking websites.
| ⭐ Booking.com | ⭐ Expedia |
| ⭐ Airbnb | ⭐ Hotelbeds |
| ⭐ Agoda | ⭐ Hostelworld (hostels) |
Common mistake: relying on only one or two hotel booking channels
One of the most common mistakes in a hotel distribution strategy is assuming that being present on one or two hotel reservation platforms is enough. In reality, this can significantly reduce your online visibility and limit both direct hotel bookings and OTA reservations.
It is highly recommended to analyse whether your competitors are present on these hotel OTAs and accommodation booking platforms by carrying out active searches across the main travel websites. In addition, applying a pricing strategy by OTA channel can help offset commissions (*) and maximise hotel profitability.
To simplify operations, using a hotel channel manager allows you to automate availability, rates and inventory updates across multiple OTAs while reducing overbooking risks.
5 reasons not to limit your online hotel distribution
1. Diversify your hotel booking channels
Depending on a single OTA or booking platform represents a major risk. If your ranking decreases or your account is restricted, your online hotel reservations may be seriously affected. Expanding your presence across multiple hotel booking websites helps reduce this dependency.
2. Increase your online visibility
Many travellers search exclusively through specific OTAs and travel booking platforms. If your property is not listed there, potential guests may never discover your accommodation and will likely book with competitors instead.
3. Increase occupancy and hotel reservations
Expanding your presence across several online booking channels increases your reach and generates more opportunities to receive hotel reservations. This strategy is particularly effective for improving occupancy during low season, reducing the impact of low demand and maintaining stronger year-round hotel performance.
4. Improve ADR and RevPAR
Greater visibility across multiple OTAs helps attract different customer segments, including guests willing to pay higher rates. This makes it possible to increase room prices, improve ADR (Average Daily Rate) and maximise RevPAR (Revenue Per Available Room), especially during periods of high demand.
5. Benefit from the billboard effect
Many travellers first discover a hotel on an OTA and later visit the property's official website to make a direct reservation. Without visibility on major hotel booking platforms, valuable direct booking opportunities and qualified traffic may be lost.
Commission costs will exist regardless
It makes little difference whether commission is paid to one booking channel or another for a reservation.
A hotel distribution strategy that increases bookings
Managing a hotel or tourist accommodation property on a daily basis can be demanding. However, implementing a strong online hotel distribution strategy across multiple OTAs is an investment that can deliver long-term results, increase hotel occupancy, generate more hotel bookings and improve overall profitability.
(*) We recommend reviewing the regulations currently in force in your country.