Why You Should Stop Booking Hotels Through Booking.com

When you travel, supporting local businesses should matter. Unfortunately, platforms like Booking.com have become so dominant that small, independent hotels and guesthouses struggle to compete. In 2025 alone, Booking Holdings spent an astonishing $8.2 billion on marketing, much of it on Google and other online advertising. This massive spending helps them dominate search results, often pushing the actual hotels and guesthouses further down the page.

And here's something many travelers don't realize: Booking.com charges accommodation owners a commission on reservations. That's money that could otherwise stay with the people running these businesses, paying local employees, maintaining their properties, and supporting their communities. Booking directly with the owner can often get you a better price while allowing more of your money to stay local.

My advice is simple: use Booking.com to find accommodation, but book directly with the property. Search for the hotel's website, contact the owner through email or WhatsApp, and ask for their best direct booking rate. Compare the terms before paying. You might save money, and more importantly, you'll support the people who actually provide your accommodation instead of helping a multinational corporation grow even more powerful.

Support local businesses. Book directly. Keep tourism money in local communities.

Source: Booking Holdings, 2025 Annual Report (Form 10-K). The company reported $8.186 billion in marketing expenses across its brands, including Booking.com.