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In a dramatic sign of changing consumer habits, property management platform Hospitable announced that direct bookings surged 571% among its customers last year.
Over the course of 2024, Hospitable users generated an impressive $28.7 million in direct booking revenue globally — a 440% increase from the previous year.
Of the platform’s 15,000+ users, less than a third have a direct booking website — yet this group alone secured over 40,000 direct reservations in 2024, a massive leap from just 6,055 in 2023. This growth highlights the huge potential for hosts and property managers investing in direct channels.
Pierre-Camille Hamana, CEO and Founder of Hospitable, said: "For years, direct bookings were written off as too complicated or too risky, but that mindset is changing fast. More and more hosts are realizing that relying solely on OTAs isn’t a sustainable way to run a business. When they build their own direct channels, they’re not just increasing their revenue, they’re creating stronger connections with their guests, taking control of their pricing, and shaping their own brand rather than being just another listing on an OTA. .
“The biggest misconception is that direct bookings are harder or riskier, but the reality is quite the opposite. With the right tools, hosts can offer the same, if not better, security and booking protections as OTAs, while delivering a more personalized experience that keeps guests coming back. The numbers don’t lie: direct bookings are surging, and as more hosts take that leap, we’re going to see an industry where they have more power, more profits, and more control over their success."
It also reflects a wider shift taking place across the short-term rental industry, where property owners are increasingly looking for ways to bypass online travel agencies (OTAs) and gain greater control of their profits, branding, and guest relationships.
At the same time, travelers are becoming more intentional about their booking choices, drawn to lower fees, personalized experiences, and the convenience of direct communication. As hosts invest in professional, frictionless booking websites with secure payment options and built-in protections, guest confidence in booking directly is rising — signaling a growing trust in host-owned websites as a mainstream alternative to OTAs.
Recognizing the momentum behind direct bookings, Hospitable has introduced new tools to help hosts maximize revenue. Its recently launched ‘Abandoned Bookings’ tool identifies and recovers lost reservations by detecting abandoned bookings and sending personalized follow-ups. In its first week alone, the feature reclaimed over $36,000 in lost direct booking revenue — further proving that direct channels aren’t just viable, but highly profitable.
The company also introduced a Guest Portal, allowing travelers to easily access booking details, house rules, and check-in instructions, as well as automated rental agreements to help hosts secure legally binding contracts without the manual hassle.
