Is it Better To Book a Hotel Online or Offline.

Hospitality and Travel Industry was one of the first Industries to initiate Internet Technology in their domain thus leading to widespread growth in the Sector. From GoogleMaps & Reviews, Travel was revolutionised with the help of the Internet.  Such was the growth, that new Hotels opened and inventory of hospitality Industry grew by 10 times in the past decade if not more across cities and tourist destinations.

Online Bookings also grew manifolds because travellers were getting huge discounted rates by the Online Travel Agents and so customers preferred booking through online because of the discounted rates. The main travel clientele of India specially in Budget & Corporate Travellers are Domestic Travellers who are very price sensitive and same is one of the major factors for them choosing a Hotel or even an Airline for that matter.

However things have changed in 2025 as online travel agents have withdrawn all their promotions and are taking commissions because they also want to become profitable after investing millions on promotions. This had lead to decrease in the Online Travel Agents Market Share in 2025 with direct bookings for Indian Hoteliers increasing rapidly. Online Travel Agents like MakeMyTrip, GoIbibo, Expedia, Via, Agoda, Booking.com, Hotels.com, Cleartrip, Yatra etc have all witnessed sharp decline in online bookings considering to last year. 

PK Group of Hotels & Apartments like other chain Hotels in India, promises there traveler best direct rates online as well as offline to encourage travellers to book directly and the high brunt of commissions is not paid by the Hotelier or the Customers. Middlemen generally act as a disadvantage because rates over long term are higher only and this is what Hotels have understood and are making sure that customers are also encourage to understand the same.

Some of the other advantages for customers to book direct is a guaranteed reservation and loyalty points for the future travels. Several Hotels like PK Group offers Membership Programs which have further discounts on Food & Beverages, Laundry, Liquor, Fitness & Spa Centre and other Incidental Charges. 

Hotel Industry have always fought there battles well and now this silent battle against Online Travel Agents has been fought by all Hotels whether Big or small to ensure commissions reduce as some Travel Agents are charging as much as 20-30% on the gross amount.  Hotel Industry has had a good start in 2025 as direct bookings have increased across cities and tourist destinations across India but now with decreased market share, Online Travel Agents have realised and with there monopolistic powers are trying to ensure there market share is controlled.