Booking generates as much value as Belgium's entire economy
If OTAs were countries, Booking would sit at the big table. According to a report covered by Preferente, the entire economic ecosystem driven by the platform equals the GDP of Belgium, the eighth-largest economy in Europe.
That number is no joke: we are talking about hundreds of billions of dollars in value generated from direct company revenues, hotel and agency commissions, traveler spend induced by the platform, and indirect employment. Booking is not just an intermediary anymore, it has become an economy of its own.
What does this mean for the industry? When Booking breathes, the entire distribution chain and hotel revenue management shift. Call it dependency or strategic partnership. But this data should make anyone who still sees OTAs as just another channel think twice.
Quick questions
Does Booking really produce as much as Belgium's GDP?
What does this GDP calculation for Booking include?
Why does this matter for hotels?
Was this article useful?
The daily brief
Notitur in your inbox
One sharp travel-industry brief a day. Free.
Editorial content by Notitur. It may contain errors. Verify anything important with the original source.
This article may mention third-party products, companies or services for informational purposes. Notitur does not endorse them and is not responsible for them or for what they offer. Editorial content curated by the Notitur team.