The verdict in three sentences
Every night sold through an OTA costs you 15 to 25 % commission. A direct booking engine on your site, with a 30 % mobile money deposit, removes that commission and confirms instantly. Budget 20 000 to 60 000 FCFA/month to lift direct bookings by about 20 %.
OTA versus direct booking
OTAs bring visibility but charge heavily. A direct engine rebalances by capturing the guest on your own channel.
| Metric | Via OTA | Direct booking |
|---|---|---|
| Commission | 15-25 % | 0 % |
| Deposit | Variable | 30 % mobile money |
| Confirmation | Delayed | Instant |
| Real-time calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Dynamic pricing | Limited | Full |
| Direct booking share | Baseline | +20 % |
The direct engine math
The engine handles the calendar, dynamic pricing and the deposit. The monthly cost is quickly covered by the commission avoided.
| Item | 2026 order of magnitude |
|---|---|
| OTA commission avoided | 15-25 % per night |
| Mobile money deposit | 30 % of the stay |
| Mobile money fees | 1.0-1.5 % collected |
| Engine cost | 20 000-60 000 FCFA/month |
| Direct share gain | +20 % |
| Guest confirmation | Instant |
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Mini case study
Ibrahim runs a 30-room hotel in Saly, average price 35 000 FCFA/night, 400 nights/month. By shifting 20 % of nights from the OTA (20 % commission) to direct, he handles 80 nights commission-free: 80 × 35 000 × 20 % = 560 000 FCFA saved per month. The 50 000 FCFA/month engine pays for itself more than ten times over.
FAQ
Does the engine replace OTAs? No, it complements them by capturing guests who prefer to book directly. The goal is to lift the direct share by about 20 %.
Why a 30 % deposit? It secures the booking and reduces late cancellations while staying acceptable. The balance is paid on arrival.
Is the calendar synced? Yes, in real time to avoid overselling across channels. Dynamic pricing adjusts rates to demand.
How much does the engine cost? Between 20 000 and 60 000 FCFA/month depending on room count and options. It pays back within a few direct nights.
Let's talk about your project. We set up your direct booking engine with mobile money deposit and a real-time calendar. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
