The verdict in three sentences
A hotel that relies 100% on OTAs like Booking hands over 15-18% commission on every night. In Zanzibar in 2026, a site with a direct booking engine and deposit payment costs between 800 and 2,500 USD (roughly 800,000-2,000,000 FCFA), with hosting around 60 USD/month. It pays off from the 40th direct reservation captured instead of going through a platform.
The cost of each feature in 2026
A high-performing hotel site turns visitors into commission-free direct bookings. Here is the module breakdown in Zanzibar (2026 order of magnitude).
| Feature | Price (USD) | Timeline | OTA commission avoided | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Showcase + room gallery | 800 - 1,000 | 12-15 days | - | basic multilingual |
| Direct booking engine | +350 - 550 | +7 days | 15-18% / night | real-time calendar |
| Deposit payment (mobile/card) | +150 - 250 | +4 days | 100% of direct | automatic receipt |
| Multilingual EN/FR/others | +120 - 200 | +4 days | + intl clientele | hreflang SEO |
| Channel manager (OTA sync) | +200 - 350 | +6 days | avoids overbooking | real-time sync |
| Packages + upsell | +100 - 180 | +3 days | basket +20% | spa, transfer |
Zanzibar vs Saly: the 2026 comparison
Here is a comparison between Zanzibar (USD) and Saly (FCFA) for an equivalent hotel site.
| Package | Zanzibar (USD) | Saly (FCFA) | Content | Break-even |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essential | 800 | 800,000 | Showcase + gallery + contact | ~50 direct nights |
| Growth | 1,500 | 1,300,000 | + booking engine + deposit | ~40 direct nights |
| Premium | 2,500 | 2,000,000 | + channel manager + packages | ~35 direct nights |
| Hosting/month | 60 | 40,000 | Domain + maintenance + SSL | monthly |
Mini case study
Amina, who runs a 24-room hotel in Zanzibar, does 300 nights/month at 50 USD, of which 80% via Booking (18% commission). She pays 300 x 0.8 x 50 x 18% = 2,160 USD/month in commissions. She invests 1,500 USD in the Growth package. By shifting just 30% of OTA bookings to direct, she saves 0.3 x 2,160 = 648 USD/month in commission. The site is repaid in under 3 months, and every month after is a net saving.
FAQ
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What does a hotel website cost in Zanzibar in 2026?
From 800 USD for a showcase with a gallery to 2,500 USD for a site with a booking engine, deposit, channel manager and packages. Hosting around 60 USD/month.
Does the site really eliminate Booking commission?
On every direct reservation, yes: you save the 15-18% OTA commission. The goal is to gradually shift 30 to 50% of volume to direct.
What is a channel manager?
It is the tool that syncs your availability between your site and the OTAs in real time to avoid overbooking. It costs 200 to 350 USD to integrate.
Can I request a deposit at booking?
Yes, via mobile money or card. The deposit secures the reservation and reduces last-minute cancellations.
Is a multilingual site useful in Zanzibar?
Yes, EN/FR at minimum to capture European and international clientele. Multilingual with hreflang also improves Google ranking.
Let's talk about your project. We'll calculate how much OTA commission your hotel can save with a direct booking engine. 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.
