Rely less on Booking.com and Agoda: how to get more direct bookings

HostBooking · Updated Oct 8, 2026 · 6 min read

Booking.com and Agoda bring new guests, but they take a commission on every booking and keep the guest’s contact details. To win more direct bookings, a homestay needs its own booking website, a reason to book direct (a better price, perks for returning guests) and a booking link wherever guests find you.

Don’t quit the OTAs, balance them

OTAs are a good way for strangers to discover you. The problem is when returning guests also come back through them: you pay commission again on someone who is already your guest. A sensible goal: new guests from the OTAs, returning guests book direct.

5 ways to get more direct bookings

1. Have your own booking website with live availability and QR deposits, so booking direct is as easy as booking on an OTA. See build a homestay website.
2. Give guests a reason to book direct: a slightly better price, extra hours, a welcome drink. Membership tiers give returning guests a discount automatically.
3. Put your link everywhere: Google Maps, your Facebook page, Zalo OA, your Instagram bio, TikTok.
4. A small card in the room with a QR code to your booking page: "Book direct next time for a better price".
5. Reply fast on Zalo: a Zalo chat button on your page lets guests ask with one tap.

Measure the results

On the HostBooking Reports page, the Booking sources section shows how many bookings came from your website and how many you entered from OTAs or phone calls. Track your direct booking share each month to see what works.

Read your OTA contract carefully for rate parity terms before you list different prices on different channels.