Marketing for hotels and villas
more direct bookings, fewer commissions
Every booking that comes through an OTA costs 15 to 25% in commission before you have spent a dollar on marketing. We build the direct channel - site, ads, reviews - that earns the same guest for a fraction of that cost.
Where the money leaks today
Most independent hotels and villa operators depend on OTAs for the majority of bookings and pay 15 to 25% commission on every one, while their own site often has no working booking flow at all, just a contact form or a phone number. Guests who do find the direct site frequently leave without booking and are never retargeted. Reviews sit unanswered on the platforms that actually drive the next booking.
What we do
We build or fix the direct booking path first: a fast, multilingual page or widget that lets a guest check dates and pay without emailing anyone, synced to your calendar so there is no double booking. Campaigns target guests already searching for your destination and property type, with retargeting for anyone who viewed but did not complete a booking - usually the single highest-return segment available. Review requests go out after the stay, timed to catch guests while the experience is fresh, with reply templates for the team.
Everything is planned by season: budget, creative and even which channel gets the spend shift depending on whether you are in peak, shoulder or low season, instead of a flat monthly plan that overspends in the quiet months.
What we need from you
Your booking system or channel manager, real photos and video of the property (guest-generated content works well here), your OTA commission rates so we can show the direct-booking saving honestly, and access to your site and ad accounts.
How we measure
We report in direct bookings and revenue, with an explicit comparison to the commission that booking would have cost through an OTA, so the value of the direct channel is visible in money, not just in traffic.
Price and timeline
| Option | Price | What it covers | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launch or audit | from $1,200 | Direct booking flow, campaigns, retargeting setup | 3 to 4 weeks |
| Monthly management | from $1,200 / month | Ongoing campaigns, retargeting, reviews, seasonal planning | monthly, no lock-in |
| Full control, handover to your team | from $3,000 (one-time) + $450 / month for edits | Documented system, access transferred, your team runs it | 4 to 5 weeks to hand over |
Related
See performance marketing and SEO and content for destination search. Related playbooks: marketing in Thailand, marketing for restaurants and cafes, marketing for travel and tour operators. For automated review handling, see review and reputation replies. Real-world reference: a five-language real estate site in Montenegro and a Shopify audit and rebuild for a Thailand brand, both direct-channel builds in tourism-adjacent markets.
Paying too much in OTA commission? Get in touch and we will look at your direct-booking funnel first.
FAQ
How much does hotel or villa marketing cost?
Launch or audit starts from $1,200: a direct-booking page or widget, campaigns and retargeting. Ongoing management starts from $1,200 a month, scaled to your season.
How long until we see direct bookings?
Campaigns launch in 2 to 3 weeks. Direct bookings typically start within the first two weeks of launch; a reliable read on cost per booking versus OTA commission saved takes 4 to 6 weeks.
What ad budget do we need?
A realistic minimum is $800 to $1,500 a month in season for one property or a small portfolio, scaled down or paused off-season rather than spent evenly year-round.
What do you need from us to start?
Your current booking system or channel manager, real photos and, ideally, video of the property, your OTA commission rates for comparison, and access to ad accounts and your site.
How do you report results?
Weekly: direct bookings, revenue, cost per booking, and an explicit comparison to what the same booking would have cost in OTA commission.