What is OTA?
Online Travel Agency: a platform (like Booking.com, Airbnb, or Expedia) that acts as an intermediary between travelers and accommodation providers, taking a commission on each booking in exchange for visibility and distribution.
My perspective
In practice
OTAs bring reach and visibility, but at a cost: commissions typically range from 15-25% per booking. A healthy distribution strategy balances OTA presence for discovery with a strong direct booking channel to maximize revenue and own the guest relationship.