notnervousaboutchange

Orbitz, Expedia: Stockholm Syndrome Meets the Web

I love the idea that OTAS are some kind of reputable body representing the interests of the many hotels throughout the World. The reality is different, when you actually go and visit hotels you find distressed general managers playing Booking.com et al, as though it were a public auction house - it becomes more important to know how your property appears in relation to others in your category rather than the special qualities of what is in your offering. And let's not forget the hoteliers best friend Trip Advisor, a site so dedicated to supporting hotels that it won't ever link to your property, forcing its visitors to go through one of the same bunch of booking portals.

So, let's distinguish between an OTAS industry that is really only interested in generating affiliate revenues and forged special agreements and kickbacks tied to online advertising on hotel brand names, and the majority of hotels that are locked into this cycle until someone proposes something better.