Our Top 5 OTA Picks
Vacation rentals and homestays need a different OTA strategy than hotels. Airbnb leads this segment, but listing on multiple platforms maximizes your occupancy.
Vacation Rentals vs Homestays
While the OTA strategy is similar, these are distinct property types:
- Vacation Rentals: Entire homes, villas, or apartments rented to guests. Owner may not be present. Common in Goa, Lonavala, Alibaug, Manali, Coorg
- Homestays: Rooms within a host's home or attached property. Host interaction is part of the experience. Popular in Kerala, Himachal, Northeast India, Pondicherry
Both property types compete on experience, uniqueness, and personal touch — not on amenities like a hotel would.
1. Airbnb
Why It's #1
Airbnb essentially created the vacation rental and homestay category. It's where experience-seeking travelers go first when looking for non-hotel stays.
- Commission: 3% host fee (guest pays a separate service fee of 14-16%)
- Payment: Airbnb collects, pays out 24 hours after check-in
- Strength: Global brand recognition for alternative stays, strong community, review trust
- Best for: All vacation rentals and homestays, especially unique or experiential properties
Why Airbnb Works Differently
Unlike hotel OTAs, Airbnb charges a much lower host commission (3% vs 15-25%). The platform makes money from guest service fees instead. This makes it the most profitable OTA for hosts.
Airbnb Optimization Tips
- Superhost status: Maintain 4.8+ rating, 90%+ response rate, and low cancellations
- Instant Book: Enable it — Airbnb heavily favors properties with instant booking
- Professional photos: Airbnb offers free professional photography in major cities
- Personal welcome message: Customize your response to each booking — Airbnb guests value personal touch
- Guidebook: Create a local guidebook with restaurant, transport, and activity recommendations
2. MakeMyTrip / Goibibo
Why It Matters
MakeMyTrip launched a dedicated "Homestays & Villas" section to compete with Airbnb. It brings India's largest domestic travel audience to your property.
- Commission: 15-20%
- Payment: Weekly settlement
- Strength: Massive Indian user base, trust factor, holiday package integration
- Best for: Domestic travelers who prefer booking through familiar platforms
When MakeMyTrip Beats Airbnb
- Indian families who don't use Airbnb (older demographics, smaller cities)
- Properties near pilgrimage sites or domestic tourist hotspots
- Holiday weekends when Indian travelers plan quick getaways
3. Booking.com
Why It Works
Booking.com has expanded beyond hotels into apartments, homestays, and vacation homes. Their "Homes & Apartments" filter drives targeted traffic. See our Booking.com listing guide for setup tips.
- Commission: 15-18%
- Payment: Pay at property or monthly invoice
- Strength: International travelers, trusted brand, flexible cancellation policies
- Best for: Properties in areas with international tourist traffic
Booking.com Tips for Homestays
- Select "Homestay" or "Vacation Home" as your property type (not "Hotel")
- Highlight what makes your space unique in the description
- International guests often filter by "Free cancellation" — consider offering it for advance bookings
4. Agoda Homes
Why It's Worth Adding
Agoda Homes is Agoda's dedicated section for non-hotel stays. It brings Asian travelers — a market Airbnb doesn't dominate in India.
- Commission: 15-20%
- Payment: Monthly settlement
- Strength: Asian traveler market, competitive in price-driven searches
- Best for: Properties in Goa, Kerala, Rajasthan, and other destinations popular with Asian tourists
When to Prioritize Agoda Homes
- Your area receives Southeast Asian, Japanese, or Korean travelers
- You want to diversify beyond Airbnb + MakeMyTrip
- Your listing isn't getting enough visibility on Booking.com
5. Cleartrip
Why It's Growing
Cleartrip's homestay section is newer but benefits from Flipkart's user base. It's an easy additional channel with growing domestic traffic.
- Commission: 15-18%
- Payment: Weekly settlement
- Strength: Flipkart integration, domestic weekend getaway market
- Best for: Properties within driving distance of major cities (weekend escape market)
Commission Comparison
| Platform | Host Commission | Guest Fees | Your Net on ₹5,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbnb | 3% | 14-16% (guest pays) | ₹4,850 |
| MakeMyTrip | 15-20% | Included in rate | ₹4,000-4,250 |
| Booking.com | 15-18% | None | ₹4,100-4,250 |
| Agoda Homes | 15-20% | Included in rate | ₹4,000-4,250 |
| Cleartrip | 15-18% | Included in rate | ₹4,100-4,250 |
Listing Setup Essentials
- Property description: Tell a story. What's the experience? Don't just list features
- Photos: Natural light, wide angles, show living spaces, kitchen, outdoor areas, views, and local surroundings
- House rules: Be clear about check-in times, smoking, pets, parties, and noise
- Amenities checklist: Wi-Fi, parking, kitchen, washing machine, AC, hot water — list everything
- Local area guide: Nearby restaurants, grocery stores, ATMs, and attractions
- Pricing: Set different rates for weekdays, weekends, and holidays
Managing Multiple Platforms
The biggest challenge with vacation rentals on multiple OTAs is avoiding double bookings. Solutions:
- iCal sync: Most platforms support iCal calendar sync (free but can be slow to update)
- Channel manager: Tools like Hostaway, Guesty, or Lodgify sync in real-time across all platforms
- Airbnb as primary: Some hosts use Airbnb as their main calendar and block dates manually on other platforms
Legal Requirements in India
Homestays and vacation rentals have specific regulations:
- Registration: Many states require homestay registration (Kerala, Himachal, Goa have specific policies)
- GST: Required if annual revenue exceeds ₹20 lakhs (₹10 lakhs in special category states). See our GST guide
- Guest registration: Form C required for foreign guests within 24 hours. See our GRC & Form C guide
- Fire safety: NOC may be required depending on state and property size
- Local permissions: Check municipal and society/community rules about commercial use of residential property