The use of OTAs (Online Travel Agencies) is a widespread practice for accommodation owners. However, high commissions, loss of control and restrictive policies often negatively affect the financial results and flexibility of the owners. The VistWay, recognizing a significant gap in the Greek market, is the first platform that applies the Direct Booking philosophy after they change everything is now online bookings. The use of OTAs (Online Travel Agencies) is a popular practice for accommodation owners, but it is often accompanied by high commissions, loss of control and restrictive policies that negatively affect both the financial results and the flexibility of the owners.
The VistWay, understanding the dynamics of OTAs, does not propose a complete departure from them. Instead, it offers an alternative strategy that combines the advantages of OTAs with the power of direct booking, creating a hybrid collaboration model.
This innovative strategy gives hosts the tools to balance between OTAs and Direct Booking, maximizing the benefits and ensuring the sustainability of their investments. The VistWay makes the host dominant in the booking process, while at the same time providing the visitor with a more personalized accommodation experience.
Comparative table of commissions and profits for bookings worth €1,000
| Platform | Supply (%) | Commission (€) | Net Host Profit (€) | Guest Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OTAs (Professional Host) | 15% – 25% | 150 – 250 | 750 – 850 | No, but usually an increased price from the Host. |
| OTAs (Private Host) | 3% | 30 | 970 | Yes, 14+% charge. |
| Other platforms (Alternative) | 0% – 5% | 0 – 50 | 1000-950 | Yes, increased final price by 10% – 20% |
| VistWay | 0.035 to 0.1% (0.35€ -1€/day maximum) | €10.50 – €30 (for 30 days) | 970 – 989,50 (depending on discounts) | No, on the contrary, he can make a reservation at best price of the market. |
Details:Traveler service fees were calculated based on the median charge applied by each platform, as per public information available in their website documentation and terms. Tiered fees are often due to additional advertising and promotional packages provided by OTAs and are structured according to the period and promotional strategies applied.***
Analysis of the Table
- OTAs Platforms (Professional Host):
- Professional hosts on OTAs are charged high commissions (15%-25%), resulting in a net profit 750-850 eurosTo mitigate the impact of these fees, hosts often raise prices to guests. This cost usually translates into 10%-15% extra charge, raising the final amount for the guest and possibly reducing demand, especially for more price-sensitive audiences. While these platforms provide great international exposure and an established booking system, the cost can prove prohibitive for private and professional hosts.
- OTAs Platforms (Private Host):
- Private hosts enjoy lower commissions (3%-5%) from some OTAs, which ensures them a net profit 950-970 euros. However, the overall cost is passed on to the guest through higher prices so that hosts can maintain their profits. This practice can hurt the competitiveness of the accommodation, especially in cases where the guest compares the price with that of other platforms or alternative providers.
- Other Platforms (Alternative)
- Alternative platforms, with commissions ranging from 0%-5%, provide high net profits to hosts, from 950 to 1,000 eurosHowever, the additional cost to visitors, which can reach 10%-20%, may reduce demand, as the end customer is highly price sensitive. In addition, this strategy may also have an impact on reputation of the accommodation, especially when the same accommodation is available on other platforms at lower prices.
- Competitiveness is significantly impacted as guests often compare total charges (including surcharges) across multiple platforms. In such cases, hosts face dilemmas: raise prices and risk losing bookings, or keep prices low and absorb costs.
- Also, the pricing policy Accommodation pricing often adapts to the requirements and constraints of each platform. This dynamic can limit a host’s autonomy, creating an environment where pricing choices are not always aligned with their strategy or business plans.
- Sensitivity to cost and reputation management is critical, especially when owners seek to strengthen their market position, but also to maintain high profitability rates.
- VistWay Direct Booking:
- The VistWay applies a unique approach, with a maximum daily charge 1€/day and the possibility of significant discounts, reducing costs by up to 0.35€/day. In addition, with the special offer 300 days of annual viewing, hosts receive 65 days free, offering exceptional flexibility. This allows owners to temporarily withdraw their properties from the market for maintenance or other needs, without affecting the overall return on investment. The VistWay offers one of the highest net profits, maintaining the 97% or more of revenue for the host, while encouraging competitive pricing without burdening the guest. This approach makes it a highly attractive option for hosts who want transparency, flexibility, and sustainable revenue.
- Additionally, the VistWay stands out from other platforms thanks to direct communication – Direct Booking between owner and guest, offering excellent flexibility and full control to hosts. This feature allows for customization of terms and service from the first moment to the completion of the stay, enhancing the relationship of trust and transparency.
- Advantages of Direct Communication – Direct Booking :
- Customized Service: The host can adjust prices, offer special deals, or accommodate last-minute changes.
- Low Season Status Management: The ability to communicate directly allows for the offering of personalized discounts and special benefits, ensuring that occupancy is maintained during low demand.
- Increasing Trust and Transparency: Direct contact with the host enhances guest safety, creating positive reviews and long-lasting relationships.
- Cost Reduction: The absence of intermediaries allows for more competitive prices, reducing additional fees.
The Advantages of VistWay Direct Booking: The New Perspective for Accommodation Owners
1. Pricing Flexibility and Competitiveness
OR independence from high commissions gives owners the ability to set their prices freely, adapting them to the needs of the market and the specificities of their area. Thus, they can offer more competitive price packages, attracting more visitors. In addition, without being burdened by high OTA fees, they maintain the flexibility to adjust prices according to demand, special offers or seasonality, while maintaining high profit margins.
This freedom in pricing makes their accommodations more attractive, since owners can offer excellent value quality-price, which is a key factor in choosing for guests. At the same time, they have the opportunity to invest part of their profits in improving the experience they provide, thus enhancing satisfaction and positive reviews by visitors, which are critical for the their reputation.
With the pricing flexibility offered by VistWay, hosts strengthen their position against their competitors on OTAs platforms, maintaining full control over their accommodation's financial strategy.
2. Control and Liquidity
Revenue management remains exclusively in the hands of the owners-managers, avoiding payment delays or restrictions imposed by OTAs policies. Hosts have full responsibility and oversight of their finances, which eliminates the risk of withholdings or ambiguities by third-party managers.
OR immediate liquidity This enables them to use their income immediately, strengthening their financial flexibilityThis is particularly important, as they can quickly invest in upgrades to their property, such as improvements to amenities, advertising campaigns, or strategies to enhance the guest experience.
3. Professional Presentation and SEO Optimization
The VistWay provides a fully professional online presence for each property. The content is optimized for SEO, ensuring that the property is easily discoverable in search engines. Owners don't need to waste time creating incomplete views on social media or other platforms.
It is worth noting that promotion through social media faces significant challenges. Posts, while essential, quickly get lost in the stream, as the majority of users don't discover them in time. With the large flow of content, the opportunity for the post to reach potential stakeholders is limited and short.
On the contrary, the VistWay offers an organized presence in the digital world, integrating your accommodation into a display list, where guests can easily find it, anytime. Thanks to the targeted search feature, potential guests find your properties quickly and efficiently, boosting your overall visibility and booking chances.
These features make the VistWay platform a revolutionary choice for hosts and managers of tourist accommodation, offering meaningful solutions in matters of visibility, cost and reservation management.
4. Time Saving
OR organized viewing accommodation through the VistWay is an ideal solution for owners looking to reduce the time they spend managing their accommodation’s online presence. Instead of spending hours creating content that often gets quickly lost in the social media stream, the platform provides comprehensive tools for professional and lasting visibility.
Specifically, the VistWay offers:
- Organized Display Directory: Accommodations remain visible to travelers in a well-structured environment, ensuring that interested parties can easily find them at any time.
- Information Collection: All accommodation information is gathered together, from description and photos to an updated availability calendar.
- Advanced Presentation Tools: The ability to integrate videos, 360° tours (virtual tours) and interface with the official website or the accommodation's booking engine is provided.
- Full Communication Support: It includes all available ways to communicate with hosts, such as email, phone, and even via WhatsApp, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, etc.
This multi-dimensional approach allows hosts to showcase their property with professionalism, without having to worry about social media effectiveness or inconsistent visibility.
Unlike social media posts, which are often lost within minutes due to the increased flow of content, the VistWay ensures the continuous and targeted presence of the accommodation, offering a powerful search mechanism that allows travelers to easily find what they are looking for.
This approach not only saves valuable time for owners, but it also provides them with the opportunity to attract more visitors through a comprehensive and professional presentation.
5. Community and Networking
The VistWay acts as a catalyst for creating a strong community of accommodation owners and travelers, focusing on mutual development and cooperation. The platform is not limited to just displaying accommodations, but forms a network that strengthens relationships between its members, promoting sustainable tourism development.
Specifically, the community of VistWay offers the following advantages:
- Interaction and Support: Owners and travelers share experiences, reviews, and recommendations, creating a sense of trust and mutual benefit.
- Dynamic Group View: The collective presentation of accommodations enhances the overall attractiveness of the platform, making it more powerful and competitive compared to traditional solutions.
- International Reach: Through targeted actions and the emphasis on quality, the platform contributes to the promotion of Greek tourism at an international level, highlighting the unique experiences that Greece offers.
The VistWay redefines the concept of networking in tourism, incorporating innovative tools that support collaboration and interaction. Through the community that is created:
- The Local Economy is Strengthened: As more accommodations become known, the local economy directly benefits from increased tourist traffic.
- Cultural and Gastronomic Elements Highlighted: Community members act as ambassadors of Greek hospitality, enhancing the uniqueness of the country's tourism product.
- Chances of Reservations Increase: OR collective strength of the community enhances the platform's dynamics, attracting more traffic and offering more booking opportunities for each accommodation.
The platform functions not only as a display tool but also as growth lever for participating accommodations. Through community and networking, an environment is created where owners they do not compete but cooperate, offering travelers a comprehensive experience, while simultaneously strengthening the Greek tourist identity.
6. VistWay Direct Booking: Low Cost – High Performance
With just two or three bookings per year, the cost of viewing and using the platform is fully covered. The possibility of discounts (such as for multiple accommodations or longer duration of participation, etc.) makes the platform particularly economical.
The platform VistWay embodies the philosophy “win-win”, ensuring benefits for both accommodation owners and travellers. Fees are simple and completely transparent, with costs set at a maximum 1€/day per accommodationThis approach, combined with special discounts, makes the VistWay Direct Booking an affordable but also extremely efficient option.
Hosts can benefit from:
- Discount Packages: Prices are significantly reduced through offers related to viewing duration, quantity of listings, or early registration.
- Reduced Cost up to €0.35/day: This pricing structure allows owner-managers to reduce their expenses while enjoying an excellent quality of display services.
This pricing model is indicative of the platform's commitment to transparency and added value.
The win-win philosophy ensures that:
- Hosts invest in low cost with high returns, achieving more bookings without hidden fees.
- Travelers benefit from a quality selection of accommodations at competitive prices, without additional charges.
The VistWay Direct Booking , with its low cost and specialized display capabilities, encourages the creation of a mutually beneficial relationship, allowing owners and guests to work harmoniously for an experience that benefits both sides.
A New Era for Greek Tourism
Choosing a platform like VistWay Direct Booking not only benefits the owners, but also the entire tourism industry. By strengthening the direct bookings, travelers gain best prices, while owners retain greater control over their business. At the same time, the community of VistWay creates a collective dynamic that promotes Greek tourism, highlighting cultural, gastronomic and natural experiences at an international level.
Conclusion:
The VistWay Direct Booking offers a professional and innovative way approach for accommodation owners Individuals and professionals. While recognizing the power of OTAs, it provides the necessary tools for boosting direct bookings, balancing cost and efficiency. With professional presentation, low cost and collective networking, the VistWay is the solution that combines the profitability with independence, laying the foundations for a new era in Greek tourism.