Hotels across Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa are undermining their own direct booking efforts by offering less competitive rates than online travel agencies, according to RateGain’s latest report 2026. The study found that 63 per cent of properties display higher prices on their websites than on OTAs, pushing guests towards third-party channels. “The direct booking journey has become too fragmented,” said Ashish Sikka, Business Head – UNO Platforms, RateGain, highlighting the growing impact of pricing inconsistencies on hotel revenues.
Janice Alyosius is a travel and MICE journalist focusing on business travel, destination marketing, aviation and industry policy. She leads editorial content at MICEtalk and also writes for TravTalk, covering global trends, trade developments and key industry conversations. With regular reporting from tourism forums, conventions and on-ground industry events, her work blends news-led analysis with strong industry voices, offering clear context and relevance for travel trade professionals and decision-makers.