Are you paying too much for your guests? Looking for ways to reduce OTA fees?
This episode will help you stop over-relying on OTAs and start boosting profits.

If I had a scone for every time a B&B owner sighed about OTA fees, I’d be running a bakery, not a blog.

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Let’s be honest—OTAs (Online Travel Agencies) like Booking.com and Expedia feel like that friend who helps you out… but always forgets their wallet. They bring guests, sure—but at what cost?

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Today, we’re going to break down the truth about booking direct vs OTAs, and how to strike the perfect balance. If you’ve ever wondered “Should I cut ties with OTAs altogether?” or “Is direct booking even worth the hassle?”—this one’s for you.

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Stick around till the end, because I’m going to share a dead-simple way to double your direct bookings without spending a single penny more on ads.

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Before we get into it—tune in to the Bed, Breakfast & Business Podcast for even more guest-winning tips!

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🎯 OTA Pros: They’re Not All Bad

Let’s give credit where it’s due. OTAs are like a buffet—lots of options, wide reach, and everyone can find something. If you’re a new B&B, or you’re trying to fill low season rooms, OTAs can be lifesavers.

Perks of OTAs:

• Huge visibility (millions of eyeballs!)

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• Easy to set up and manage

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• International reach

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• Built-in trust for first-time guests

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💡 Did you know that some B&Bs get up to 80% of their bookings through OTAs. Not ideal—but common.

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Are you leaning too heavily on them?

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If more than 50% of your bookings are OTA-driven, it might be time to rebalance.

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💸 The OTA “Cost” You Don’t See

Yes, there’s the obvious: 15%–25% commission per booking. That stings. But the hidden cost? You’re giving away the guest relationship.

You don’t own the email.

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You can’t upsell them.

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You can’t build loyalty.

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One B&B owner told me she felt like she was “I” her own guests. Ouch!

📣 Tip from the “Build Your B&B: From Dream to Doors Open” course:
“Build systems that bring guests back without paying a fee twice.”

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That means collecting data ethically—email addresses, preferences, travel dates—and inviting them to book direct next time.

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🧲 The Power of Booking Direct

Direct bookings = higher profit per stay. It’s that simple.

But let’s not pretend it’s free. You have to work for those bookings.

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That means:

• A mobile-friendly website

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• A clear value proposition

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• Competitive pricing

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• Trust (testimonials, reviews, beautiful photos)

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And yes—booking software that doesn’t look like it was built in 1999.

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Is your website your hardest-working employee or the one who sneaks out early?

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⚖️ Finding Your Perfect Mix

You don’t have to pick sides. You need a smart mix.

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Here’s a good starting formula:

🟢 40–60% OTA bookings

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🟢 40–60% direct bookings

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Think of OTAs as your marketing team. Use them to get discovered. Then, your job is to convert that guest into a direct-booking regular.

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Here’s how:

• Leave a thank-you card with a discount code for their next stay

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• Offer special perks (early check-in, free breakfast upgrade) only for direct bookings

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• Build an email list and send helpful, non-salesy updates

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If you are looking for templates, you can find them in the “Build Your B&B: From Dream to Doors Open” course.

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🧠 Pro Tip to Double Direct Bookings (No Ad Spend!)

Remember that teaser from earlier?

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Here it is:

Add a “Book Direct & Save” banner to your Wi-Fi login screen.

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It’s genius. Every guest connects to Wi-Fi. You’ve got their attention. Boom—turn them into a future direct bookers.

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No ads. No spam. Just strategic timing.

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👏 You’re welcome.

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Running a B&B? It’s not just tea and toast.
It’s plungers, pastries… and planning.

Download “Your B&B Starter Blueprint” and start with your eyes wide open.

You can find a link in the show notes.

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What’s your OTA vs. direct booking split right now?
Let us know in the comments.

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Your Key Takeaways

 

In Conclusion

You don’t have to break up with Booking.com. Just stop letting them drive your entire guest list.

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With the right systems in place, you’ll create loyal guests, make more money per booking, and spend less time worrying about cancellations and fees.

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Want help building those systems? Our Build Your B&B: From Dream to Doors Open course walks you through it all—from tech tools to email templates.

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 If you like this episode, you might want to check out What Are The Best Ways To Get More Guests Through Travel Agencies. Episode 55. You can find it on the Beds, breakfast and business website.

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📬 Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode.
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☕ If this was helpful, buy us a coffee—we run on caffeine and kind words.