Commission-Free Direct Bookings: How Much Can a Campsite Save?
Going commission-free on direct bookings means a campsite keeps the full value of every reservation made through its own website, instead of handing a percentage to an online travel agent (OTA). For a typical UK site, that can add up to several thousand pounds a year — usually far more than the booking software costs.
What does commission-free actually mean?
It means no per-booking cut on reservations guests make directly with you. You still pay for the software, but that fee is fixed and predictable. Taking 10 or 100 more direct bookings does not increase what you pay — unlike commission, which grows with every booking.
How much can a campsite save?
The saving depends on how many direct bookings you take and their value. As an illustration, at around 12% OTA commission:
- A smaller site taking 300 direct bookings a year at £180 each could keep roughly £6,000 that would otherwise go in commission.
- A busier site taking 800 direct bookings at £220 each could keep well over £20,000.
Even a modest site usually saves several times the cost of the software. You can try the live demo to see direct booking in action.
Where do the savings actually come from?
Two places: repeat guests who would otherwise rebook through an OTA out of habit, and new enquiries you can now capture online instead of losing. Every booking that comes through your own site rather than an OTA is commission you keep. You can see how direct booking is built in.
Is the saving worth more than the software?
For most sites, comfortably. A flat software fee is a known, fixed cost, while commission is open-ended and rises with your success. Once your direct bookings cover the fee — often within a handful of reservations — everything saved after that stays with your business.
Frequently asked questions
How much can a campsite save with commission-free bookings?
It depends on booking volume and value, but at typical OTA commission a site taking a few hundred direct bookings a year can keep several thousand pounds annually — usually several times the cost of the software.
What does commission-free direct booking mean?
It means you pay no per-booking commission on reservations made directly through your own website. You pay a fixed software fee instead, so taking more bookings does not increase your costs.
Do commission-free bookings pay for the booking software?
For most sites, yes, and quickly. Because a flat fee is fixed while commission grows with every booking, the savings on direct bookings typically cover the software cost within a handful of reservations.
Should I stop using OTAs to save on commission?
Not entirely. OTAs are still valuable for reaching new customers. The aim is to use them for discovery, then capture repeat and direct bookings commission-free through your own system.
