Direct vs channel bookings: Why 2026 could be the year to push your own site

Why direct bookings matter more than ever

Direct bookings offer several advantages that become increasingly valuable as your hosting business matures.

Lower commission costs

Platform commissions typically range from 15% to 20% per booking. When guests book directly, you can reduce these fees significantly. Travelnest Direct, for example, charges just a 5% commission (including payment processing), meaning for a property generating £30,000 in annual revenue, you could save an extra £3,000 to £4,500 compared to traditional channels.

Stronger guest relationships

When someone books directly, you own that relationship from the start. You can communicate without platform restrictions, encourage repeat bookings through follow-up contact, and build the kind of loyalty that turns first-time guests into regular visitors.

Integrated management

Modern direct booking solutions sync automatically with your calendar across all channels, preventing double bookings. With Travelnest Direct, bookings appear in your dashboard alongside your Airbnb and Booking.com reservations, so you manage everything from one place.

Built-in credibility

Today's direct booking pages can automatically display your reviews from major platforms. Travelnest Direct, for instance, pulls in your reviews from Airbnb and Booking.com and combines them into one overall star rating, giving new guests the social proof they need to feel confident booking with you directly.

The challenges you'll face

Direct bookings require more effort than simply listing on established platforms, but the right tools can minimise this burden.

Driving traffic

Your booking page doesn't benefit from millions of users already browsing for accommodation. You need to actively share your link through social media, email outreach, and word of mouth. The good news is that with tools like Travelnest, your booking page is created automatically for all validated properties, giving you a professional URL to share through platforms you already use.

Building trust

First-time visitors may feel more comfortable booking through a recognised platform. This is where having your existing platform reviews displayed on your direct booking page helps enormously. When guests can see your track record, they're more likely to book confidently.

Managing bookings and payments

You need secure payment processing and reliable booking confirmation systems. Travelnest Direct handles this automatically, charging guests within 48 hours of booking and sending confirmations without manual intervention on your part.

Practical strategies to increase direct bookings

Share strategically on social media

Add your direct booking link to your Instagram bio, Facebook posts, or Twitter profile. If you already promote your property on social media, this is one of the easiest ways to start generating direct bookings.

Use messaging platforms

WhatsApp and SMS offer quick ways to share your booking link with family, friends, and previous guests who've expressed interest in returning. This direct approach is particularly effective for people who already know your property.

Follow up with past guests

Every guest who has stayed at your property is a potential repeat customer. When you contact them after their stay (perhaps to request a review), include your direct booking link. Guests who had a positive experience often prefer booking directly next time, especially if they know they'll save on fees.

Offer incentives

Give guests a compelling reason to book directly. Travelnest Direct includes a discount feature that lets you create promotional codes or shareable links with percentage-based or fixed-amount discounts. These can be time-limited for special promotions or ongoing to reward loyal guests.

When you create a discount through Travelnest, you can share it in two ways: copy the code for guests to enter at checkout, or generate a shareable link that automatically applies the discount when clicked. Even offering to share part of your commission savings (a 5-10% discount) still leaves you significantly better off financially than a platform booking at 15-20% commission.

Partner with local businesses

Build relationships with local restaurants, activity providers, and attractions. They can recommend your property to visitors, and you can do the same for them. Wedding venues and corporate event spaces often need accommodation recommendations for their clients. Having a professional booking page makes it easy for partners to send potential guests directly to you.

Add to your existing materials

Include your direct booking URL in email signatures, printed materials at local attractions, business cards, or any other promotional channels you already use. If you have a separate website for your rental business, adding your direct booking link there creates a seamless path from interest to reservation.

Finding the right balance

The goal isn't to eliminate platform bookings entirely. For most hosts, a balanced approach works best. Platforms provide valuable exposure, especially during slower seasons or when you're starting out. However, as you build a reputation, gradually shifting more bookings to your direct channel increases profitability.

Many successful hosts aim for a mix between platform and direct bookings, using platforms primarily for filling gaps whilst building their direct channel over time. With Travelnest managing all your channels plus direct bookings from one dashboard, this balanced approach becomes much easier to maintain.

Why timing matters in 2026

Several trends make 2026 particularly opportune for focusing on direct bookings. Platform commission rates continue rising, squeezing host margins. More travellers are becoming comfortable booking outside major platforms, particularly for repeat stays and recommendations from trusted sources.

The technology available to independent hosts has improved dramatically. Professional booking infrastructure that was once only accessible to large operators is now standard. Features like automatic calendar syncing, secure payment processing, mobile-optimised pages, and review integration come built-in with systems like Travelnest Direct.

As platform competition for visibility intensifies, hosts often find their listings harder to promote without paying for additional features. Building your direct booking channel gives you an asset you control, insulated from algorithm changes and policy shifts.

Getting started with direct bookings

If you're already using Travelnest to manage your property across multiple channels, your direct booking page is automatically created for all validated properties. Your page includes everything guests need: a live calendar showing real-time availability, your complete photo gallery, an interactive map, secure payment processing, and your reviews from Airbnb and Booking.com. The page is fully mobile-optimised and updates automatically whenever you change information in your account.

For hosts not yet using a property management system with direct booking functionality, it's worth exploring options like Travelnest Direct. Look for solutions that offer automatic updates, calendar syncing, payment processing, and review integration without requiring technical expertise or website development.

Moving forward

Growing your direct bookings won't happen overnight, but the investment pays dividends over time. Start with manageable steps: set up your direct booking page, share it with a few previous guests or post it on social media, and track what happens.

As you gain confidence, expand your efforts with discount campaigns, more active social media promotion, or partnerships with local businesses. If you're using Travelnest, the promotional discount tools make it simple to create time-limited offers or reward loyal guests. View this as a long-term strategy rather than a quick fix.

With platform commissions unlikely to decrease and more guests comfortable with direct bookings, hosts who develop this channel now will be better positioned for sustainable success. The infrastructure is available and accessible - professional booking pages with integrated calendars, secure payments, and review displays are no longer only for large operators.

The real opportunity lies in actively promoting your direct booking option. Whether you're starting from scratch or already have the tools in place, the steps you take today to build this channel could make 2026 your breakthrough year for reducing commission costs and building stronger guest relationships.