First, what is an OTA? Any Online Travel Agency website like trip advisor, booking.com, VRBO, HomeAway, and AirBnb to name a few.
Owner direct sites are either a website created by the owner or a website that allows open communications between the vacationer and the owner like houfy.com
There are advantages for both the vacationer and the owner to
work directly with each other through an owner owned or owner direct website.
Booking owner direct allows:
immediate communications
information sharing via phone, text and email
No extra administrative fees
Using an OTA does not allow for any communication outside of the OTA or for you to share phone numbers or emails for direct communication. This prevents the owner from getting your information and dealing with you directly, cutting out the OTA.
Maybe you have some questions for the owner, or need more information before you book. The OTAs don’t want this.
What about your payment being safe? This is a valid question. Most owners either have reservation software that allow them to accept credit card payments, or they belong to a website like houfy that allows owners to accept credit card payments by linking square to their account. Your credit cards are covered by your credit card company to guard you against fraud if you dispute the charges.
Book Direct with us through HOUFY. Skip the administrative fees that other websites charge. DON’T PAY MORE THAN YOU HAVE TO FOR YOUR VACATION