notitur.com August 24, 2026

Distribution

Direct booking

A direct booking is one the guest makes through the hotel's own channels, with no middleman. It saves the OTA commission and gives the hotel the guest data to build loyalty. Winning direct is one of the industry's biggest commercial goals.

Example A hotel launches a website only rate so guests book direct instead of on Booking.

Related terms

Distribution

Booking engine

A booking engine is the tool that lets guests book directly on the hotel's own website. It shows...

 Distribution

OTA

An online travel agency is a channel that sells accommodation and travel online in exchange for a commission....

 Distribution

Rate parity

Rate parity is the commitment to offer the same public price across all channels. Many OTAs require it by...

 Distribution

Agency model

In the agency model, the guest pays at the hotel and the hotel later settles the commission with the OTA. The...

Articles that mention this term

FAQ

What is a direct booking in the hotel industry?
A direct booking is a reservation made through the hotel's own channels, such as its website, phone, or email, without an intermediary like an OTA.
How does direct booking work for a hotel?
The hotel promotes its direct channels with perks like lower rates or free upgrades, and when a guest books directly, the hotel avoids paying a commission (typically 15% to 25%) and captures the guest's email for loyalty programs.
Why does direct booking matter versus using an OTA?
It matters because it increases the hotel's profit per booking by saving the OTA commission and gives the hotel direct access to guest data, which can be used to encourage repeat visits and reduce reliance on third-party platforms.

Explore the glossary

More terms with the letter DSee all terms

Notitur is an independent digest. It is not the official site of any brand mentioned. Content is editorial and produced with AI assistance and editorial review, and may contain errors. Verify anything important with the original source. This is not financial, legal or investment advice. Some links or blocks may be sponsored or affiliate. Trademarks belong to their owners. You can unsubscribe at any time with one click, and you can request access or deletion of your data at notitur.com/contact.

⚙ Admin