Online travel agency (OTA)

An online travel agency, or OTA, is a marketplace where travellers search, compare and book accommodation from many providers in one place. The property lists its inventory and rates, the OTA markets it to a large audience, and when a guest books, the OTA takes a commission (typically a percentage of the booking value). OTAs bring reach and demand that a small business could not generate on its own, but that reach costs margin and puts a third party between the property and the guest relationship. Most operators aim for a balance: use OTAs to fill gaps and reach new guests, while steering repeat and high-value guests toward commission-free direct booking. For campgrounds, OTAs and specialist pitch-booking platforms are a growing source of demand, which makes reliable synchronisation through a channel manager important to avoid double-selling the same pitch.