During yesterday’s Distribution Roundtable at WYSTC 2016 held in Belgarde, Serbia, more than 35 delegates discussed the current relationship between OTAs and accommodation providers.
Following an introduction to the current state of play, the ongoing distribution issues were openly discussed in the context of the Sydney Declaration (2013).
The issues include rate parity, commission, brand ownership aand the increasing market concentration of OTAs.
The general consent was that most of the issue areas in the Declaration are on-going and that the Declaration is addressing those issues.
The comments and suggestions of the Roundtable will now be carefully reviewed and incorporated into an updated draft that will be circulated amongst all WYSE members and parties involved – including OTAs.
A follow-up discussion will be scheduled for the STAY WYSE Hostel Business Conference in Amsterdam 3-4 February, 2016.