In a significant reflection of evolving consumer behavior, the property management platform Hospitable announced a 571% increase in direct bookings among its users in the previous year.

Throughout 2024, these users collectively generated an impressive $28.7 million in direct booking revenue, marking a 440% rise from the prior year.

Among the platform’s 15,000+ users, less than a third possess a dedicated direct booking website; however, this segment alone secured over 40,000 direct reservations in 2024, a substantial increase from the 6,055 bookings recorded in 2023. This growth underscores the extensive potential for hosts and property managers who invest in direct booking channels.

Pierre-Camille Hamana, the CEO and Founder of Hospitable, stated:

“For years, direct bookings were dismissed as overly complex or risky, but that perspective is quickly shifting. An increasing number of hosts are recognizing that relying solely on OTAs (Online Travel Agencies) isn’t a sustainable business approach. By establishing their own direct channels, hosts can boost their revenue while cultivating stronger connections with their guests, controlling their pricing, and shaping their brand rather than merely being another listing on an OTA.”
“The most common misbelief is that direct bookings are more challenging or perilous, but the truth is quite the opposite. With the correct tools, hosts can provide the same, if not superior, security and booking protections as OTAs, all while delivering a more personalized experience that keeps guests returning. The statistics speak for themselves: direct bookings are soaring, and as more hosts embrace this strategy, we’re set to witness a sector where they have greater power, higher profits, and increased control over their success.”

This surge also reflects a broader transition within the short-term rental sector, where property owners are actively seeking methods to bypass OTAs and enhance their profit margins, brand identity, and guest interactions. Moreover, travelers are becoming more deliberate about their booking decisions, drawn to lower fees, tailored experiences, and the ease of direct communication.

As hosts invest in efficient, professional booking websites with secure payment systems and integrated protections, guest confidence in making direct bookings is upwardly trending, indicating a growing trust in host-operated websites as a mainstream option compared to OTAs.

In response to the growing demand for direct bookings, Hospitable has unveiled new tools designed to maximize revenue for hosts. Its recently implemented ‘Abandoned Bookings’ feature identifies and recovers lost reservations by detecting abandoned interactions and sending personalized follow-ups. In just the first week of its introduction, this tool reclaimed over $36,000 in lost direct booking income, demonstrating that direct channels are not only viable but exceedingly lucrative.

Additionally, the company has rolled out a Guest Portal, enabling travelers to seamlessly access booking details, house regulations, check-in procedures, and automated rental agreements, thereby allowing hosts to secure legally binding contracts without tedious manual efforts.