OTAs win by default, not because they're better — they're familiar, trusted, and already have a guest's payment details saved.
A guest who's booked through an OTA before will default back to it unless your own site gives them a specific, visible reason not to.
Without a stated reason to book direct — best price guarantee, free amenity, flexible cancellation — there's no incentive to leave a platform they already trust.
An unfamiliar, unbranded, or clunky-feeling booking widget reads as riskier than a recognised OTA checkout, even when it functions identically.
OTAs display reviews prominently at the point of decision. If your own site doesn't show reviews with equal visibility, it loses that trust signal at the exact moment it matters.
Find out if your site gives guests a reason to book direct.
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