Keep More, Stress Less: A Smarter Way to Boost Direct Bookings
Ditch the OTA commission fees—win guest loyalty and keep more of what you earn.
OTAs are convenient, sure—but they can eat up to 30% of your revenue. That’s a steep price to pay for bookings you could earn directly.
When you optimize for direct bookings, you don’t just protect your profit—you strengthen the guest experience from the very first click.
Let’s talk about how to make direct bookings feel effortless for guests and good for your business.
In This Edition:
✅ Why guests rely on OTAs (and how to counter it)
✅ Smart strategies to grow direct bookings
✅ Simple personalization tactics that build loyalty
✅ Easy tech wins to make your site work harder
✅ What real guest engagement looks like
💳 Why Do Guests Choose OTAs?
Guests love convenience. OTAs make it easy to compare listings, check reviews, and book fast. But your website can do all that—and offer more.
Here’s what guests look for (and how to match or beat it):
Side-by-side comparisons – Highlight room types, perks, and photos
Exclusive perks – Offer direct-only discounts, seasonal specials, or welcome gifts
Credibility – Feature guest reviews, video testimonials, or photo submissions
Customization – Build stay packages with upgrades like local tours or breakfast credits
Loyalty rewards – Give returning guests better rates, late checkout, or room upgrades
Mobile-friendly booking – Make the process simple and fast with fewer clicks
Global-friendly options – Add translation and flexible payments for international guests
When you cover those bases, booking direct becomes the obvious choice.
🚀 How to Drive More Direct Bookings
Let’s get practical. These four moves can help you shift more guests from OTAs to booking direct.
1. Make Your Website Work for You
Your booking process should be smooth, clear, and mobile-optimized. Guests shouldn't have to dig for details or wait for slow-loading pages.
Quick wins:
Simplify navigation
Use strong calls to action
Keep the number of booking steps low
Include photos and short videos that help guests imagine their stay
2. Use Smart Tech Without Overthinking It
You don’t need a huge tech stack—just tools that make the experience better:
Chatbots handle FAQs and booking support instantly
Virtual tours build trust and reduce hesitation
Dynamic pricing tools help you stay competitive without daily updates
3. Personalize the Experience
Small touches build loyalty:
Offer optional upgrades like wine packages, early check-in, or pet welcome kits
Send tailored follow-up emails based on guest interests or stay history
Use guest names, trip types, and preferences to make each message feel personal
4. Engage Where Guests Already Hang Out
You don’t need to be everywhere—but you do need to be visible.
Post behind-the-scenes stories and local tips on social media
Feature guests (with their permission) in posts or newsletters
Ask for reviews and respond with gratitude—even when it’s constructive
Make email marketing less “sales” and more helpful, thoughtful, or story-driven
🧹 Smarter Scheduling = Smoother Stays
Managing multiple properties? Then you know how messy scheduling can get with too many checklists and too few systems.
Automated task scheduling helps you:
Trigger cleanings and inspections around check-ins and check-outs
Assign jobs by property type (deck checks for cabins, elevator tests for condos)
Schedule tasks only when needed (hot tub maintenance only for homes with hot tubs)
Personalize prep based on upgrades like pool heating or welcome add-ons
When your operations run smoothly, guests notice—and your team stays focused.
🤓 Prompt of the Week:
Write an Article That Attracts More Bookings
A quick and easy way to get helpful content written for your blog or website—with the help of AI.
💡 What This Prompt Will Help You Do
Write a guest-focused article for your website or blog to boost your visibility, improve SEO, and attract more direct bookings.
1. Use an AI:
ChatGPT by OpenAI: chat.openai.com
Gemini: gemini.google.com
Claude: claude.ai
Or your favorite AI tool.
2. Copy-and-Paste AI Prompt
Fill in the [brackets] with your own details for the best results.
Prompt:
Write a blog article for a [your property type -vacation rental / boutique hotel / glamping site] that helps potential guests discover [Primary Topic or Keyword]. The target audience is [couples, families, remote workers, pet owners, etc.] planning a trip to [City, Region, or Destination].The article should:
Start with a warm, welcoming intro that makes readers feel excited about visiting
Include well-structured sections with H2 headers
Offer helpful local tips, hidden gems, or recommendations
Reflect the personality of the property [charming, adventurous, family-friendly, etc.]
End with a [set the tone - formal, casual, encouraging] wrap-up that inspires readers to start planning.
Please also include:
A catchy, guest-focused blog title
A 150-character meta description for search engines
Use a natural, friendly tone—like a local host sharing helpful advice with a future guest who just asked what they should see or do. Keep it around [word count] words.
🔄 What to Expect After Using This Prompt
You’ll walk away with a well-written, guest-friendly blog post that reflects your property's personality and provides real value to potential guests. It’s designed to boost your visibility online, build trust with travelers, and guide them toward booking directly with you—saving you commission fees and creating a stronger connection from the start.
Final Thoughts ⭐
Here’s the thing—OTAs might be loud, but you’ve got something they don’t: heart, personality, and a place worth remembering. Guests want more than a transaction—they want connection. And direct bookings give you the chance to start that relationship from the first click.
You don’t need to do it all at once. Start with a better booking page, toss in a guest-only perk, and maybe—just maybe—show off that welcome basket you’re secretly proud of.
And hey, if you’re ever stuck or just want to bounce an idea around, I’m right here. Just hit reply—yes, this email. It really does go to me.
Catch you in the inbox,
Kay
Founder, Smart Pineapple
Connect with me on LinkedIn - Facebook - Website - Online Community
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