What Is an Online Travel Agency?

An Online Travel Agency (OTA) is a web-based platform that allows users to book flights, hotels, car rentals, and vacation packages independently. Popular OTAs include Expedia, Booking.com, and Priceline, offering consumers an alternative to booking directly with airlines or hotels. These platforms aggregate fares from multiple providers, allowing travelers to compare prices and find deals based on their preferences.

While OTAs are convenient for leisure travelers, corporate travel programs typically use managed travel services instead of OTAs to ensure policy compliance, negotiated rates, and traveler support. Unlike global travel agencies, OTAs do not offer customized reporting, duty of care services, or expense management tools, making them less ideal for business travel management.