Hotel CEOs Won’t Back Down When It Comes to Pushing Direct Bookings

Are hotels' direct booking efforts really working? That was the question on many analysts' minds during the first quarter earnings calls hosted by major U.S. hotel companies. While Hilton and Marriott have been leading the charge to push for more direct bookings in an effort to take away market share from online travel agencies (OTAs) like Expedia and Booking.com, they've been joined in recent weeks by their fellow hotel competitors, including Hyatt, Wyndham, and Choice, to name a few. Judging by their collective statements, it's clear hotel CEOs aren't going to stop their campaigns for more direct bookings any time soon, even if they're quietly making arrangements to offer those exclusive lower rates to travel agents. Or even if the OTAs themselves are hoping to strike deals with them to offer those preferred lower rates, too. Here's what the hotel CEOs had to say, put into context with comments they've made previously about booking direct. Hilton: Direct Bookings Are Workin