Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: Guest Folio • Room Division • B2C (Business to Consumer)

OTA (Online Travel Agency)

Term from Hotel Management industry explained for recruiters

An OTA (Online Travel Agency) is a website or platform where people can book travel services like hotel rooms, flights, and vacation packages. Popular examples include Expedia, Booking.com, and Hotels.com. In the hotel industry, OTAs are important booking channels that help properties reach more customers, but they also charge commission fees for their services. Understanding how OTAs work is crucial for hotel management roles because they significantly impact a property's revenue and online presence.

Examples in Resumes

Managed relationships with OTA partners including Expedia and Booking.com to increase hotel bookings by 45%

Optimized Online Travel Agency listings and content to improve visibility and booking rates

Developed pricing strategies across multiple OTAs to maximize room revenue

Typical job title: "OTA Channel Managers"

Also try searching for:

Revenue Manager Distribution Channel Manager E-commerce Manager Online Distribution Manager Hotel Sales Manager Digital Sales Manager

Where to Find OTA Channel Managers

Industry Forums

Professional Networks

Job Boards

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you develop a strategy to optimize revenue across different OTA channels?

Expected Answer: A strong answer should discuss rate parity, commission structures, channel mix analysis, and ways to balance direct bookings with OTA dependence. They should mention experience with managing relationships with major OTAs and understanding market dynamics.

Q: How do you handle rate parity issues across different OTAs?

Expected Answer: The candidate should explain how to maintain consistent pricing across channels while maximizing profit, considering contract obligations, and managing special offers or promotions strategically.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What metrics do you use to evaluate OTA performance?

Expected Answer: Should mention tracking booking volume, average daily rate (ADR), commission costs, conversion rates, and return on investment for each OTA channel.

Q: How do you optimize hotel listings on OTAs?

Expected Answer: Should discuss content quality, photo management, property descriptions, amenity updates, and understanding how to improve search rankings within OTA platforms.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What are the main OTAs in the market and how do they differ?

Expected Answer: Should be able to name major platforms like Expedia, Booking.com, and explain basic differences in commission structures, target markets, and booking policies.

Q: How do you update rates and availability across multiple OTAs?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate understanding of channel managers, rate updating processes, and basic inventory management across different platforms.