Home Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) Top Online Travel Agencies to Partner with and Supercharge Bookings

Top Online Travel Agencies to Partner with and Supercharge Bookings

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18 min.

“Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.”

Dalai Lama

The travel and tourism industry is one of those that continually bring innovation into the niche. New trends, such as travel technology, keep shifting the tide and changing the face of the industry as we know it.

As the industry evolves, increasing bookings and marginal profits becomes more challenging. The struggle is real, but there’s also an excellent solution – partnering with online travel agencies (OTAs).

What Is an Online Travel Agent (OTA)?

An online travel agent is a third-party website that sells travel-related services offered by their partners, such as hotels, hostels, airlines, car rental companies, event organizers, and more. It’s a website where people can search for and compare various services and make bookings without an actual travel agent.

While large hotels like Hilton don’t need an agent to help them increase bookings, smaller or independent properties can benefit from an OTA’s online visibility and reach.

Many OTAs also offer paid advertising to their partners to help their websites appear above organic results. Metasearch engines like TripAdvisor use this kind of PPC model as well.

Metasearch engines are comparison sites that focus mainly on customer reviews, helping travelers compare various OTAs, airlines, and other travel providers before booking.

How Does the Commission Model Work with Online Travel Agents?

When someone books a room, flight, or other services through an OTA, that service provider pays a certain percentage of the booking’s total value to the OTA. The providers pay the commission after the checkout.

Commission rates vary by location, property type, amenities, and other factors. For instance, big brands usually pay less in commission than independents, as their name helps them negotiate lower fees.

To help you pick the right OTA for your business, we made this comprehensive list of the top online travel agencies worldwide. Its infographic-like style will give you a clear overview of the OTAs’ key aspects and benefits. Let’s dive in.

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Top Global Online Travel Agencies

There are too many global OTAs to list them all here, but these stand out due to exceptional quality, wide reach, credibility, trust, and first-class support.

1.     Booking.com

Founded as bookings.nl, merged with Bookings Online, and later acquired by Booking Holdings (formerly Priceline Group), Booking.com has become the go-to booking website for all things travel. It’s one of the largest global OTAs that sells tons of activities, tours, vehicle rentals, rooms, and airfare.

It dominates the industry, along with Expedia. According to HotelTechReport, Booking Holdings and Expedia control 95% of the online travel market.

Founded: 1996

Headquarters: Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Operating in: 120,000+ destinations in 220+ countries

Listings: 28+ million, including 6.2+ million accommodation units

Commission: 10-15% (15% global average)

Best for: Any accommodation type (hotels, hostels, motels, B&Bs, apartments, vacation homes, cottages, cabins, villas, resorts, boats, luxury tents, etc.), airlines, and companies offering airport taxis, car rentals, and experiences

2.     Expedia

Owned by Expedia Group, Expedia.com offers hotel rooms, vacation rentals, airfare, cruises, car rentals, and activities. It also offers package deals that can include flights, stays, and/or cars.

By partnering with Expedia, travel providers can tap into Expedia Group’s network of over 200 booking websites, including Travelocity, Orbitz, Hotels.com, Wotif, and CarRentals.com.

Founded: 1996

Headquarters: Seattle, Washington, USA

Operating in: 220+ countries

Listings: 1.8+ million vacation rentals, 590,000+ hotels, 35,000+ activities, 500+ airlines, 175+ car rental companies

Commission: 10-30% (10-15% for big brands; 15-30% for independents)

Best for: Any accommodation type, airlines, car rental companies, cruise lines, and tour operators

3.     Viator

Just like its parent company, TripAdvisor, Viator isn’t an OTA. It partners with OTAs offering travel activities, tours, and attraction tickets, and lets them create a TripAdvisor listing to grow sales.

It offers top-notch experiences, including VIP tours, which is why it’s prized in the industry as one of the best metasearch engines.

Founded: 1997

Headquarters: Needham, Massachusetts, USA

Operating in: 48+ countries

Listings: 345,000 activities, tours, and attraction tickets

Commission: 8%

Best for: Travel companies offering experiences

4.     Hotelbeds

With over 60,000 travel distributors in over 140 markets, Hotelbeds is one of the top B2B travel agents. It has been growing exponentially after acquiring Tourico Holidays and GTA in 2017.

This Spanish OTA offers hotel stays, car hires, flight tickets, attraction tickets, airport transfers, and activities.

Founded: 2001

Headquarters: Palma de Mallorca, Spain

Operating in: 185+ countries

Listings: 180,000+ hotels, 24,000+ transfer routes, 18,000+ activities and tickets, 500+ car rental suppliers, 40+ airlines

Commission: 20-30% (23% average)

Best for: Hotels of any size, companies offering travel experiences, airlines, and car rental companies

5.     Hostelworld

Although it specializes in hostels, Hostelworld also promotes hotels and B&Bs. Additionally, it offers airport transfers, car rentals, flight tickets, tours, and activities.

Showcasing over 13 million guest reviews, it aims to help travelers, particularly millennials, find the best deals and experience various cities like locals. It’s especially popular among backpackers.

Founded: 1999

Headquarters: Dublin, Ireland

Operating in: 178+ countries

Listings: 36,000+

Commission: 10-25% (15% average)

Best for: Hostels and tour operators

6.     Airbnb

Founded in 2008, Airbnb has expanded to offer millions of unique accommodations worldwide.

They revolutionized the way we travel, turning any home into a potential hotel or From single rooms to castles, Airbnb connects travelers with local hosts, offering experiences that go beyond traditional hotels.

Founded: 2008

Headquarters: San Francisco, United States of America

Operating in: 220+ countries and regions

Listings: 5.6+ million listings worldwide

Commission: Hosts typically pay a 3% commission; guests pay a service fee of under 14.2%

Best for: Unique accommodations (private rooms, apartments, houses, unique stays like treehouses and igloos), experiences, long-term stays, and locals wanting to host travelers.

7.     TUI AG

TUI AG, standing for Touristik Union International, is a leading tourism conglomerate, offering a broad spectrum of services from charter flights, hotels and resorts, to cruises and package holidays.

Founded in 1968, TUI has grown to dominate the tourism industry, particularly in Europe, with its comprehensive offerings that cater to every aspect of travelers’ needs, making it a one-stop shop for holiday planning.

Founded: 1968

Headquarters: Hanover, Germany

Operating in: 180+ countries

Listings: Offers around 1,600 travel agencies, 150 aircraft, over 400 hotels and resorts, 16 cruise liners, and many incoming agencies in all major holiday destinations around the globe.

Commission: Varies based on the service

Best for: Package holidays, cruises, hotel and resort stays, airline services, and travel experiences for families, couples, and solo travelers looking for seamless holiday planning and execution.

8.     China Tourism Group Duty Free Corp Ltd

Founded as part of the China National Travel Service (HK) Group Corporation, it specializes in providing tax-free shopping experiences, primarily catering to tourists and travelers.

China Tourism Group Duty Free Corp Ltd, commonly referred to as CTG Duty Free, is a state-owned enterprise and the world’s largest duty-free retailer. With its expansive network of outlets, CTG Duty Free plays a pivotal role in China’s tourism and retail sectors, offering a wide range of products from luxury goods to local specialties.

Founded: 1928.

Headquarters: Shanghai, China

Operating in: Mainly in China, with locations at airports, city centers, and tourist destinations.

Listings: Operates hundreds of duty-free shops across China, including some of the world’s largest duty-free malls in Hainan.

Commission: Not applicable in the traditional sense as it operates on a retail model rather than a commission-based model.

Best for: Tourists and international travelers looking for luxury goods, cosmetics, fashion, electronics, and local Chinese products at duty-free prices.

9.     Jet2 PLC

Jet2 PLC is a prominent British low-cost airline offering scheduled and charter flights. Established in 2002, Jet2 has quickly ascended as a favorite among travelers seeking affordable yet reliable travel options within Europe. 

With a strong emphasis on customer service, Jet2 PLC has expanded its reach to include holiday packages through Jet2holidays, providing comprehensive travel solutions that encompass flights, accommodations, and transfers.

Founded: 1983 (rebranded to Jet2.com in 2002)

Headquarters: Leeds, England, United Kingdom

Operating in: Mainly in Europe, serving over 70 destinations

Listings: Operates a fleet of over 100 aircraft

Commission: Not applicable.

Best for: Budget-conscious travelers looking for flights within Europe and holidaymakers seeking package deals that offer value for money without compromising on quality.

10.   Rewe Group

REWE Group is a leading German diversified retail and tourism conglomerate, with operations spanning across Europe. 

Established in 1927, REWE has grown from a cooperative buying group to one of Europe’s largest retailers with an extensive portfolio that includes supermarkets, DIY stores, and a significant presence in the travel and tourism industry through its subsidiary, DER Touristik. 

This diverse presence enables REWE to offer a wide range of products and services, from grocery shopping to vacation planning, catering to the varied needs of consumers.

Founded: 1927

Headquarters: Cologne, Germany

Operating in: Primarily in Europe, with stores and operations in several countries across the continent.

Listings: Operates thousands of supermarkets, discount stores, and travel agencies, along with hotels and holiday destinations under DER Touristik.

Commission: Varies based on the service and product offerings.

Best for: Grocery shoppers, DIY enthusiasts, and travelers looking for comprehensive travel services, including holiday packages, hotel bookings, and tours, particularly in Europe.

The winner: Booking.com

Booking.com takes care of entire vacations seamlessly, which is why most travelers prefer it. It’s excellent for all accommodation properties and other travel providers, and its commission rates are generally lower than the other OTAs’.

Top Online Travel Agencies in APAC

The Asia-Pacific region boasts of various OTAs with top-quality services and low commission rates.

1.     Agoda

Owned by Agoda Company, a subsidiary of Booking Holdings, Agoda is a major player in APAC with growing connections in Europe and the US.

It offers hotel accommodation, vacation rentals, apartments, villas, and bungalows. It also provides flights, airport transfers, car hire, and activities, but those rely on metasearch to find the right OTAs for such services.

Founded: 1998

Headquarters: Singapore

Operating in: 65+ countries

Listings: 2.5+ million

Commission: 15%

Best for: Hotels, especially in Asia

2.     Trip.com

Trip.com is the largest OTA in China that went through many acquisitions over the years. Expedia owned it at one point before Trip.com Group (formerly CTrip) acquired it in 2017.

This Chinese OTA specializes in hotels but also provides fights, car rentals, train tickets, activities, tours, and attraction tickets.

Founded: 1999

Headquarters: Shanghai, China

Operating in: 200+ countries

Listings: 1.2+ million hotels, of which 700,000+ are international

Commission: 4% average (up to 19%)

Best for: Hotels

3.     MakeMyTrip

MakeMyTrip is a large OTA in India that provides hotel rooms, flight tickets, train tickets, bus tickets, and holiday packages.

It leverages AI, machine learning, and big data, enabling it to increase its partners’ bookings. It has been one of the most innovative OTAs in India from its humble beginnings.

Founded: 2000

Headquarters: Gurugram, India

Operating in: 180+ countries

Listings: 460,000+

Commission: 15.5% average

Best for: Hotels

4.     Klook Travel

Klook Travel is a smaller APAC player than the previous three, but it’s a relatively new company.

Still, it has grown into a popular OTA in China, offering a wealth of travel experiences, transportation options, and hotel bookings. We believe it’ll play with the big guys in the near future. It certainly has what it takes.

Founded: 2014

Headquarters: Hong Kong, China

Operating in: 400+ destinations in 28+ countries

Listings: 40,000+ accommodation units, 100,000+ activities

Commission: 15-25%

Best for: Hotels and tour operators

5.     Veltra

Veltra is a tour operator company that deserves a spot on this list because of its extraordinary offers. It partners with tour operators that offer fun things to do around the globe, including cultural events, sightseeing tours, spa getaways, and many other activities.

Founded: 1991

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan

Operating in: 78+ countries

Listings: 13,000+ tours and 6,000+ activities

Commission: 8-10%

Best for: Tour operators

The winner: Trip.com

Trip.com wins this race because of its wide reach, a plethora of different offers, and some of the lowest commission rates for participating partners.

Top Online Travel Agencies in Latin America

There are fewer OTAs in the LATAM market than in the rest of the world, and most of them have a narrower reach. These are the most popular.

1.     Despegar

Despegar is the largest OTA in Latin America that serves the entire region and then some. It has been growing in popularity in recent years, so we might see it expand to more markets. Expedia owns a portion of its shares, so it’s sure to keep growing.

It specializes in hotels and flights but also provides vacation rentals, car rentals, activities, and packages.

Founded: 1999

Headquarters: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Operating in: 50+ countries

Listings: 500+ airlines, 520,000+ accommodation options, including 150,000+ hotels

Commission: 19% average

Best for: Hotels and airlines

2.     BestDay.com

Offering its services to countries in America, Asia, and Europe, BestDay.com is becoming more popular worldwide, especially since Despegar acquired it recently.

It’s the largest OTA in Mexico that also offers bookings for hotels, flights, car rentals, tours, activities, and vacation packages. Additionally, it provides airport transfers at the convenience of its travelers.

Founded: 1984

Headquarters: Cancún, Mexico

Operating in: 50+ countries

Listings: 230,000+ hotels, 70+ airlines

Commission: N/A

Best for: Hotels

3.     PriceTravel

PriceTravel specializes in hotel and flight bookings and offers packages and tours as well. It provides bookings of some of the top destinations in Mexico, the US, the Dominican Republic, and the Caribbean.

We especially love it because it promotes social responsibility and human and environmental well-being.

Founded: 2000

Headquarters: Cancún, Mexico

Operating in: 30+ countries

Listings: 249,000+ hotels and 500+ airlines

Commission: N/A

Best for: Hotels and airlines

4.     Tiquetes Baratos

Tiquetes Baratos (lit. cheap tickets) is owned by PriceTravel and has the same connections. It’s primarily a flight OTA and provides hotel bookings, airport transfers, car rentals, package deals, bus tickets, cruises, and tours.

Apart from excellent offers at competitive prices, it stands out because of its personalized services, which include weekly emails with prominent recommendations.

Founded: 2009

Headquarters: Bogotá, Colombia

Operating in: 30+ countries

Listings: 249,000+ hotels and 500+ airlines

Commission: N/A

Best for: Airlines and hotels

5.     Almundo

Almundo may not be as big as Despegar, but it’s just as popular in Argentina and the rest of LATAM. CVC Corp.’s Avantrip acquired it recently, which seems quite promising for Almundo’s future growth.

Almundo is an OTA with some of the lowest commission rates, and it offers bookings for hotels, flights, car rentals, packages, activities, and even travel insurance.

Founded: 1992

Headquarters: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Operating in: 18+ countries

Listings: 100,000+ hotels

Commission: 2-7%

Best for: Hotels

The winner: Despegar

All of these OTAs specialize in hotels and flights and offer additional travel services, but Despegar is the obvious winner. It may have higher commission rates, but its high-quality services and wide reach make the fees worth paying.

Top Online Travel Agencies in Europe

The European market doesn’t have a shortage of high-quality OTAs. Apart from Booking.com, Hostelworld, and Hotelbeds, there are plenty more that you could consider for a partner. Here are some of the best.

1.     Atrápalo

Atrápalo, or Catch It, is a widely-favored OTA that offers airfare, hotels, car rentals, train tickets, event tickets, cruises, and packages.

It was always focused on European travelers, but it recently started expanding into Latin America. It provides its partners with Atrápalo Extranet, a feature-rich platform with tools for boosting their ranking and improving profitability.

Founded: 2000

Headquarters: Barcelona, Spain

Operating in: 13+ countries

Listings: N/A

Commission: N/A

Best for: Hotels

2.     On the Beach

On the Beach is a metasearch platform that helps travelers find hotels, flight tickets, and airport transfers provided by OTAs.

We decided to include it here because It’s massively popular in the UK, especially among Britons looking to book a package holiday.

Founded: 2004

Headquarters: Manchester, England, the UK

Operating in: N/A

Listings: N/A

Commission: N/A

Best for: Hotels and airlines

3.     eDreams

eDreams is one of the largest OTAs in Europe. It’s part of eDreams ODIGEO Group that operates in more than 46 countries worldwide.

It provides hotels, airfare, flight + hotel packages, vacation rentals, activities, car rentals, and airport transfers.

Founded: 1999

Headquarters: Barcelona, Spain

Operating in: 40+ countries

Listings: 1.1+ million accommodation units, 665+ airlines

Commission: 20% average

Best for: Hotels and airlines

4.     Skyscanner

Acquired by Trip.com Group in 2017, UK-based Skyscanner is a metasearch platform that offers services from over 1,200 travel providers.

Dedicated to simplifying travel, it offers only the most essential services – flight tickets, hotels, and car rentals. It’s focused on sustainable travel and makes bookings a breeze.

Founded: 2003

Headquarters: Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

Operating in: 50+ countries

Listings: 1.8+ million hotels

Commission: N/A

Best for: Hotels and airlines

5.     Kiwi.com

According to Deloitte, Kiwi.com is the fifth fastest-growing tech company in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. It’s one of the most innovative metasearch engines that offers flights, hotels, trains, and car rentals.

Thanks to partnerships with Booking.com and Rentalcars.com, it offers travel providers excellent opportunities to improve sales.

Founded: 2012

Headquarters: Brno, Czech Republic

Operating in: N/A

Listings: N/A

Commission: 3%

Best for: Airlines

The winner: eDreams

Most of these OTAs haven’t disclosed their commission rates, countries of operation, and the number of listings. Still, we believe eDreams might be the best to partner with, as it’s part of the world-renowned eDreams ODIGEO Group, which offers numerous benefits.

Top Online Travel Agencies in the US

Apart from Expedia, the US travel market is rich with many other high-quality online travel agencies. Most of those below are part of Expedia Group.

1.     Getaroom

Founded by Dave Litman and Bob Diener, the former CEO and President at Hotels.com, respectively, Getaroom is a big player in the US that’s great for finding special deals.

It’s a unique OTA that offers hotel bookings, but with a twist. While people can book rooms without an agent, they can also call a toll-free number to get discounts or other best-value offers.

Founded: 2009

Headquarters: Dallas, Texas

Operating in: 50+ countries

Listings: 130,000+ hotels

Commission: N/A

Best for: Hotels and independent boutique properties

2.     Travelocity

Ever since Travelocity was acquired by Expedia Group in 2015, it has become a household name globally. Avid travelers keep flocking to it for cheap hotel deals and other discounted offers.

Travelocity specializes in hotels and all-inclusive resorts, but its services also include flights, cars, vacation packages, cruises, and various experiences.

Founded: 1996

Headquarters: Dallas, Texas

Operating in: 70+ countries

Listings: 50,000+ hotels, 700+ airlines, and 50+ car rental suppliers

Commission: 15% average

Best for: Hotels and resorts

3.     Hotels.com

Also part of Expedia Group, Hotels.com focuses on deals on hotels and vacation rentals. Its partners are major hotel chains, self-catering properties, and independent hotels.

It also provides car rentals, airfare, and vacation packages.

Founded: 1991

Headquarters: Dallas, Texas

Operating in: 200+ countries

Listings: 325,000+ hotels in 19,000+ locations

Commission: 8%

Best for: Hotels

4.     Hotwire

Yet another Expedia Group company, Hotwire, has partnered with Hotels.com and offers the same deals – flights, hotels, cars, and vacation packages.

The site is a bit quirky in that it uses opaque pricing, meaning it hides hotel names. Travelers can see the names only after they make a booking. As Hotwire states on the website, it does so to help customers “score 4-star hotels at 2-star prices.”

Founded: 2000

Headquarters: San Francisco, California

Operating in: 200+ countries

Listings: N/A

Commission: 15% average

Best for: Four-star hotels and resorts

5.     Orbitz

Owned by Orbitz Worldwide, a subsidiary of Expedia Group, Orbitz is yet another big OTA in the US travel market, especially in North America. It offers hotel deals, airfare, vacation rentals, car rentals, packages, activities, and cruises.

Orbitz also serves as a metasearch engine. Its Vacation Value Finder feature helps travelers secure the best deals from other OTAs.

Founded: 2001

Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois

Operating in: 70+ countries

Listings: 500,000+ hotels, 455+ airlines, 25+ car rental suppliers, and 18+ cruise lines

Commission: 15% average

Best for: Airlines and hotels

The winner: Travelocity

It’s hard to single out just one of all these massive OTAs, especially since most are Expedia Group companies. All of them provide first-class services to both their partners and customers.

However, Travelocity stands out because it’s more intuitive and provides travelers with useful content for booking the best adventures. That also helps its participating travel providers increase sales. Hotels.com offers the lowest commission rates, so it may be the first choice for many hotels.

Which OTAs Will You Partner with?

After reading about all of these exceptional online travel agencies, choosing one may seem even more challenging than before. That’s why we highly recommend you bookmark this page and read through all of it again while spending time checking out what each of the agencies offers to its partners.

The best part? You don’t have to pick only one. You can promote your services on as many sites as you want, as long as you can afford all the commissions. The same goes for picking a travel host agency.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to any of those OTAs for more information, especially if there is information missing from this list, such as certain agencies’ commission rates. You can discover them only by contacting the OTAs. Each of them will gladly share that information and discuss all the possibilities of partnering with them.

If you need help with increasing your booking profits, feel free to get in touch with our team. Our cutting-edge technology that leverages AI, machine learning, and big data uses price-prediction algorithms that can unlock a whole new world of hidden revenue opportunities.

Contact us anytime for more information or to request a demo.

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