The OTA Problem
Online Travel Agencies like Booking.com and Expedia charge hotels 15-25% commission on every booking. For a hotel doing €1M annually through OTAs, that is €150K-€250K in commissions.
Shifting even 20% of those bookings to direct channels saves €30K-€50K per year. Local SEO is the most cost-effective way to make that shift.
Google Business Profile for Hotels
**Complete every field:** Hotels that complete 100% of their GBP profile receive 7x more clicks. Include room types, amenities, check-in/out times, and accessibility features.
**Photos are everything:** Upload at least 50 high-quality photos covering rooms, bathrooms, lobby, restaurant, views, and exterior.
**Respond to every review:** Hotels average 200+ reviews. Responding to all of them signals active management and improves ranking.
**Use Google Posts weekly:** Share seasonal packages, events, renovations, or local partnerships.
Website Optimization for Direct Bookings
Your hotel website must make direct booking easier than OTAs. A fast booking engine, best-rate guarantee, exclusive perks, and a mobile experience that rivals major platforms.
Create dedicated landing pages for key terms: "[Hotel Name] rooms and rates," "[City] boutique hotel with pool," "[City] hotel near [landmark]."
Review Strategy for Hotels
Implement systematic review requests at checkout—via email, text, or QR code at reception. Hotels that ask see a 3-4x increase in review volume.
Train front desk staff to mention reviews during positive interactions. Natural, genuine, effective.
How BPB Helps
We specialize in hotel digital marketing with our RESERVE hospitality operating system. GBP optimization, direct booking website design, and review automation—helping hotels reclaim revenue from OTAs.