Direct contact is when holidaymakers deal with you directly rather than going through an online travel agent (OTA) like Airbnb. Bookings come directly to you which has a number of benefits for both holiday homeowners and guests.
1. Save on fees
Direct bookings cut out the middleman, so you keep more of your revenue.
2. Build your brand
Guests remember your rental’s name, your website, and your hospitality. This strengthens your reputation and can turn one-time guests into repeat customers.
3. More control
You set your own booking policies (cancellations, deposits, payment terms). You control the guest experience from start to finish.
4. You avoid sudden platform rule changes or account suspensions.
5.Guest relationships
When you book directly, you collect guest information (like email and phone numbers), which you usually don’t get.
That allows you to:
6. Diversification & stability
Relying solely on OTA's is risky. If they change algorithms or suspend your account, your income can drop overnight. Having a direct booking channel protects you from over-dependence.
7. Competitive edge
Guests often appreciate lower prices (since there are no platform fees) or the perks you can add directly (welcome gifts, flexible check-in, personalized offers).
In short: Direct bookings increase your profit margins, give you more control, and help you build a sustainable STR business.
You are in control of every aspect of the booking. Not only can you decide exactly how you run your holiday home, you can also provide a more personal service with your interactions with potential holidaymakers.
Any holidaymaker can request your details to speak with you directly. Holidaymakers can provide email addresses or phone numbers if you wish to contact them back. We consider you to be the best person to discuss matters with prospective holidaymakers.
We do not interfere with payments between holidaymakers and homeowners. Holidaymakers book directly with you, so you receive deposits and balances when they are paid
We do not currently operate an online booking platform. Holidaymakers must book directly with you, this may be your own online platform. We have done this because we want holidaymakers and home owners to benefit from direct bookings. No high fees for holidaymakers, and complete control for owners.