The cost of relying on OTAs
OTAs bring reach, but every OTA booking comes with the OTA's terms: the guest relationship sits with the OTA, contact details are often masked, and repeat guests may return to the OTA rather than to you.
Why goDirects
Why hotels go direct.
A booking on your own website is a guest you know, a price you set and data you keep. goDirects gives you the tools to win more of them.
Lowest, automatically
Price MatchMatching live
B
Booking.comDeluxe King · Fri 10 Oct · 1 night
AED 1,150
E
ExpediaDeluxe King · same dates
AED 1,120
A
AgodaDeluxe King · same dates
AED 1,098
Your website
Lowest across the next 30 nights
AED 1,049
Floor and max-discount respectedNext check in 14 min
What going direct gives you.
You own the guest
Email, preferences and stay history stay with you.
You set the price
Price Match keeps your direct rate the lowest.
You keep the data
Reports on your own direct channel.
Guests come back
Loyalty and member rates reward direct bookers.
Outcomes
What changes for your hotel.
Own the relationshipGuest details stay with you.
Own the priceYour direct rate kept lowest.
Own the dataReports on your own channel.
Direct booking vs OTA — what changes.
OTAs are good at being found. Your website is where the relationship starts. goDirects is built to make the direct option the obvious one for the guest.
| Booking on an OTA | Booking direct with goDirects | |
|---|---|---|
| Guest contact details | Often masked | Yours |
| Price shown | Set by rate parity and OTA promotions | Kept below the cheapest OTA by Price Match |
| Extras and events | Rooms only | Rooms, add-ons, events and celebrations |
| Loyalty | The OTA's programme | Your programme |
| Pay at property | Depends on the OTA | On the plans you choose |
In detail
Why goDirects, explained.
What makes guests book direct
Guests book direct when the price is at least as good, the website is fast and clear, and there is something extra — member rates, points, flexible payment or add-ons they can't get elsewhere.
Where goDirects fits
goDirects gives hotels the booking engine, pricing tools and guest features to win those bookings — and connects to your channel manager and PMS so the rest of your distribution keeps running.
FAQ
Questions about Why goDirects
What is a direct booking?
A reservation a guest makes on the hotel's own website, phone line or channel, rather than through an online travel agency.
Is booking direct cheaper for guests?
With Price Match turned on, your direct rate is kept below the cheapest OTA within the limits you set, and members can unlock lower rates.
Do I have to leave the OTAs?
No. Most hotels keep OTAs for reach and use goDirects to win back repeat and returning guests.
Why do hotels want more direct bookings?
Direct bookings give the hotel the guest relationship, control of the price and data it can use to bring guests back.
What does goDirects add to my current setup?
A booking engine, pricing tools, events, add-ons, loyalty and connectivity to your channel manager and PMS — in one platform.
Can guests book my hotel through AI?
Yes — through AI assistants via MCP and by phone with Hotaler Voice.