When planning your vacation, one of the most important and exciting decisions you will make is where to stay! With the rise of online booking platforms available (aka online travel agents, OTAs, metasearch engines, and aggregators), it may seem like booking your vacation rental through a third party is the easiest and most convenient option. But, not if you’re smart!
If you’re still stuck on OTAs, aggregators, and metasearch engines, let us first explain. These refer to any listing sites or third-party sites where you, as a guest, are not dealing directly with a local host or on-site property manager. These platforms are simply an online marketplace to bring guests and vacation rental properties together, for example, Airbnb, Vrbo and HomeAway, TripAdvisor, Expedia, and Booking.com.
While these sites can be a helpful resource when planning your travels, there are several significant benefits to avoiding OTAs and booking directly with a local and professional vacation rental manager. Here are 7 reasons why booking direct and local is the smart way to go, wherever you roam!