The Direct Booking Journal
Field notes on owning your booking channel.
Playbooks, benchmarks, and hard-won tactics for shifting revenue off the OTAs and onto a channel you own.
More from the journal
- 026 minOTA & FeesJune 24, 2026
Airbnb & Vrbo Host Fees Explained (2026)
What operators actually pay across the major platforms in 2026, and how those fees compound at portfolio scale.
- 037 minGuest DataJune 10, 2026
How to Own Your Guest Database (Instead of Renting It From Airbnb)
Your guest list is the most valuable asset in your business. Here is how to actually take control of it.
- 047 minPlaybookMay 28, 2026
Direct Booking Website vs Channel Manager Builder: What Actually Converts
The website builder bundled with your PMS is convenient, but convenience and conversion are not the same thing.
- 056 minMarketingMay 14, 2026
Win-Back Email Campaigns That Bring Guests Back Direct
The highest-ROI marketing in short-term rental is emailing the guests who already loved their stay.