Our Top 5 OTA Picks
These are the platforms we recommend for resorts, beach properties, hill stations, wellness retreats, and heritage properties. Your 5th pick depends on which international travelers visit your destination.
What Makes Leisure Properties Different
Resorts and leisure properties have unique distribution challenges compared to city hotels:
- Seasonal demand: Sharp peaks (holidays, festivals, winter/summer) and deep off-seasons
- Longer stays: Average 2-4 nights vs 1-2 for city hotels
- Package-driven: Guests want meal plans, activities, and experiences bundled
- Advance bookings: Travelers plan leisure trips weeks or months ahead
- Visual decision-making: Photos and reviews matter more than location convenience
1. MakeMyTrip / Goibibo
Why It's #1 for Leisure
Indian families plan holidays on MakeMyTrip. Period. Their holiday packages section, "MyBiz" for group trips, and deep domestic reach make it essential.
- Commission: 15-25%
- Strength: Holiday packages, domestic leisure travelers, festival season traffic
- Best features for resorts: Meal plan integration, package deals, "Long Weekend Getaways" promotions
Resort-Specific Tips
- List MAP and AP plans — leisure travelers prefer all-inclusive packages
- Participate in seasonal campaigns ("Monsoon Deals", "Summer Escapes")
- Use MLOS (Minimum Length of Stay) during peak weekends to maximize revenue
2. Booking.com
Why It Matters for Resorts
Booking.com attracts international leisure travelers who discover Indian destinations. Their "Resorts" category filter sends targeted traffic to your listing. See our Booking.com listing guide for setup tips.
- Commission: 15-20%
- Strength: International travelers, "pay at property" model, strong review ecosystem
- Best for: Goa, Kerala, Rajasthan, Himachal — destinations with international appeal
Resort-Specific Tips
- Enable "Free cancellation" for bookings made 7+ days in advance — international travelers need this flexibility
- Highlight spa, pool, and activity amenities prominently
- Use their "Property Page Boost" during your low season to fill rooms
3. Agoda
Why It Works for Leisure
Agoda's strength in Asia-Pacific means it sends significant traffic to Indian resort destinations, especially from Southeast Asian, Japanese, and Korean travelers.
- Commission: 15-22%
- Strength: Asian traveler market, aggressive discounting model
- Best for: Beach resorts (Goa, Andaman), wellness retreats (Kerala, Rishikesh)
When Agoda Shines
- Your destination has direct flights from Bangkok, Singapore, or Kuala Lumpur
- You're in a wellness or yoga retreat (hugely popular with Asian travelers)
- Your competition isn't actively using Agoda (opportunity to rank higher)
4. Cleartrip
Why It's Growing for Leisure
Cleartrip's "Activities" and "Holiday Packages" sections bring a different type of domestic traveler — often younger, tech-savvy, looking for experiences.
- Commission: 15-20%
- Strength: Flipkart integration (SuperCoins), growing holiday packages
- Best for: Weekend getaways, experience-driven leisure travelers
Resort-Specific Tips
- List experience packages (adventure, spa, cultural) alongside room-only rates
- Weekend deals perform well — Cleartrip users plan short getaways
- Flipkart sale events (Big Billion Days) drive hotel booking spikes
5. International Pick (Based on Your Market)
| Your Destination Type | Recommended OTA | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Beach resorts (Goa, Kerala, Andaman) | Expedia | Strong with Western leisure travelers, package deals |
| Spiritual/Wellness (Rishikesh, Varanasi) | Expedia | Wellness tourism is booming among Western travelers |
| Heritage (Rajasthan, Hampi) | Ctrip (Trip.com) | Chinese group tours frequently visit heritage destinations |
| Mountain/Adventure (Himachal, Uttarakhand) | Traveloka | Southeast Asian travelers love hill stations |
| Primarily domestic leisure | EaseMyTrip | Budget-conscious Indian families, no convenience fee |
Seasonal Pricing Strategy on OTAs
Resorts need dynamic pricing more than any other property type:
| Season | OTA Strategy | Pricing Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Peak (Oct-Mar, festivals) | Reduce discounts, set MLOS 2-3 nights | Rack rate or slight premium |
| Shoulder (Apr-May, Sep) | Run targeted promotions, early bird offers | 10-20% below peak |
| Off-season (Jun-Aug monsoon) | Heavy OTA promotions, flash sales, mobile-only deals | 30-50% below peak |
Photo Strategy for Resorts
Leisure travelers make emotional decisions. Your photos need to sell the experience:
- Hero shot: Pool/beach/mountain view at golden hour — this is your listing thumbnail
- Room with a view: Show the balcony/window view, not just the bed
- Dining experience: Plated food at your restaurant with ambiance visible
- Activities: Guests enjoying the spa, pool, adventure activities
- Aerial/wide shots: Show the full property and surroundings
- Local flavor: Nearby attractions, cultural elements, nature
Aim for 30-40 photos minimum. Properties with 30+ photos get 25% more bookings on average.