At the core of Ripe’s mission is our drive to empower destinations to realize and retain the full value of the travel demand they generate. This impact is realized most clearly when lodging reservations are made on your In-Market Travel Agency (ITA) Platform, which avoids the high costs of third-party platforms and intermediaries. By eliminating these fees, more money stays with travelers, local lodging partners, small businesses, and community stakeholders—ultimately ensuring tourism directly supports economic growth and sustainability.
The following is an analysis of $500,000 in lodging revenue and the associated fees incurred through various booking platforms.
Fee Analysis
| Hotel Booking Fees | Ripe | OTAs |
|---|---|---|
| Traveler fee rate | 0% | 0% |
| Traveler fees on $500,000 | $0 | $0 |
| Supplier fee rate | 0% | Up to 20% |
| Supplier fees on $500,000 | $0 | $100,000 |
| Total fee friction | $0 | $100,000 |
| Vacation Home Booking Fees | Ripe | Airbnb | VRBO |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traveler fee rate | 5% | Up to 16% | Up to 15% |
| Traveler fees on $500,000 | $25,000 | $80,000 | $75,000 |
| Supplier fee rate | 0% | 3% | 5% |
| Supplier fees on $500,000 | $0 | $15,000 | $25,000 |
| Total fee friction | $25,000 | $95,000 | $100,000 |
Beyond these significant savings, Ripe’s Service & Support Fee also funds live traveler support from real humans, seven days a week. That’s a level of care simply not available from OTAs and STR platforms.
Low fees for travelers, no fees for suppliers, and a better experience for all. That’s the power of Ripe’s ITA.
