Top 20 Online Travel Agencies

Top 20 Online Travel Agencies: In-Depth Insights for Travelers and Industry Leaders

As the global travel industry evolves, Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) remain pivotal in shaping how consumers plan and book their journeys. With a projected market size of $1.2 trillion by 2027, OTAs are leveraging technology, strategic partnerships, and consumer insights to dominate the travel ecosystem. As a seasoned market research head, I’ve curated a detailed analysis of the top 20 OTAs, offering readers an in-depth look at each company’s origins, operations, and unique value propositions. Each profile includes seven key sections: company name, founders, founded year, headquarters, product categories, a concise yet insightful description, and key features that set them apart. This guide is designed to inform travel industry stakeholders, hoteliers, and savvy travelers alike.

1. Booking.com

• Founders: Geert-Jan Bruinsma, Bas Lemmens, Marijn Muijser, Arthur Kosten
• Founded Year: 1996
• Headquarters: Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Product Categories: Hotels, vacation rentals, flights, car rentals, airport transfers, activities
• Description: A flagship brand of Booking Holdings, Booking.com is the world’s leading OTA, commanding over 560 million monthly visits in 2024. Starting as a small Dutch startup, it has grown into a global powerhouse, offering accommodations in 220+ countries. Its user-friendly platform and extensive inventory make it a go-to for travelers seeking seamless booking experiences. Booking.com’s focus on transparency, competitive pricing, and localized services ensures it remains a market leader, catering to both leisure and business travelers with innovative tools like AI-driven recommendations.
• Key Features:
  • Over 28 million listings, including niche accommodations like glamping and hostels.
  • Price Match Guarantee ensures competitive rates.
  • Multilingual support in 40+ languages.
  • Genius loyalty program offers discounts and perks.
  • AI-powered trip planner for personalized itineraries.
  • Flexible cancellation policies on most bookings.

2. Expedia

• Founders: Rich Barton, Lloyd Frink
• Founded Year: 1996
• Headquarters: Seattle, Washington, USA
• Product Categories: Hotels, flights, car rentals, vacation packages, cruises, activities
• Description: Expedia, part of Expedia Group, is a U.S.-based OTA giant with a robust portfolio of travel services. Known for its comprehensive booking platform, Expedia serves millions globally, offering everything from budget stays to luxury cruises. In 2025, under CEO Ariane Gorin, Expedia introduced “Romie,” an AI travel assistant, enhancing user experience. Its loyalty program and partnerships with major brands bolster its market position, making it a preferred choice for North American and international travelers seeking all-in-one travel solutions.
• Key Features:
  • One Key loyalty program integrates rewards across Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo.
  • Romie AI assistant for real-time travel support.
  • Over 500,000 properties and 500+ airlines.
  • Travel Shops for influencer-driven recommendations.
  • Price tracking for flights and hotels.
  • Bundle-and-save vacation packages.

3. Airbnb

• Founders: Brian Chesky, Joe Gebbia, Nathan Blecharczyk
• Founded Year: 2008
• Headquarters: San Francisco, California, USA
• Product Categories: Vacation rentals, experiences, long-term stays, hotels
• Description: Airbnb redefined travel by popularizing peer-to-peer accommodations, offering unique stays in over 100,000 cities. With a 2023 market cap of $91.1 billion, it’s a global leader in alternative lodging. Beyond short-term rentals, Airbnb’s Experiences platform connects travelers with local hosts for authentic activities. CEO Brian Chesky’s 2025 vision emphasizes expanding into long-term rentals and new categories, positioning Airbnb as a lifestyle brand. Its community-driven model and focus on unique stays make it a favorite for millennials and Gen Z travelers.
• Key Features:
  • Over 7 million listings, including treehouses and yurts.
  • Airbnb Experiences for curated local activities.
  • Superhost program ensures high-quality stays.
  • Flexible search with “I’m Flexible” feature.
  • Guest Favorites filter for top-rated properties.
  • Enhanced cleaning protocols for safety.
  • Split Stays for multi-destination bookings.

4. Trip.com Group

• Founders: James Liang, Neil Shen, Min Fan, Qi Ji
• Founded Year: 1999
• Headquarters: Shanghai, China
• Product Categories: Hotels, flights, trains, car rentals, tours, corporate travel
• Description: Trip.com Group, formerly Ctrip, is China’s leading OTA, with a 2023 market cap of $23.2 billion. Operating brands like Trip.com, Skyscanner, and Qunar, it serves over 400 million users, primarily in Asia. Its 2025 strategy focuses on European expansion and long-haul travel. Trip.com’s integration of AI and live-streaming for destination promotion sets it apart, catering to tech-savvy Chinese travelers and global audiences seeking comprehensive travel solutions.
• Key Features:
  • Access to 1.2 million hotels and 2 million flights.
  • Real-time train ticketing for China and Europe.
  • Live-streaming platform for destination marketing.
  • AI-driven customer support in 20+ languages.
  • Corporate travel tools with expense tracking.
  • Low-price guarantee for bookings.

5. Agoda

• Founders: Michael Kenny, Robert Rosenstein
• Founded Year: 2005
• Headquarters: Singapore
• Product Categories: Hotels, vacation rentals, flights, activities, airport transfers
• Description: A Booking Holdings subsidiary, Agoda is a dominant OTA in the Asia-Pacific, offering over 2.5 million properties. Known for competitive pricing and a strong regional focus, Agoda caters to budget-conscious travelers and luxury seekers alike. Its 2025 enhancements include improved mobile booking and AI-driven personalization. Agoda’s partnerships with local brands and loyalty programs make it a top choice for travelers exploring Asia and beyond, with a growing presence in Europe and the U.S.
• Key Features:
  • Best Price Guarantee with price matching.
  • Over 2.5 million properties, focused on APAC.
  • AgodaCash loyalty program for discounts.
  • AI-driven recommendations for budget stays.
  • Mobile app with exclusive deals.
  • Easy cancellation for most bookings.

6. Hotels.com

• Founders: David Litman, Robert Diener
• Founded Year: 1991
• Headquarters: Dallas, Texas, USA
• Product Categories: Hotels, vacation rentals
• Description: Part of Expedia Group, Hotels.com pioneered online hotel bookings with its toll-free number model in the 1990s. Today, it offers over 360,000 properties in 19,000+ locations, focusing on Western markets. Its Hotels.com Rewards program, where users earn free nights, drives repeat bookings. In 2025, Hotels.com leverages Expedia’s AI tools and cross-platform loyalty to enhance user experience, making it a reliable choice for travelers seeking straightforward hotel bookings with added perks.
• Key Features:
  • Hotels.com Rewards: Stay 10 nights, get 1 free.
  • Over 360,000 properties globally.
  • Price Guarantee for competitive rates.
  • Integration with Expedia’s One Key program.
  • User-friendly mobile app.
  • 24/7 customer support.

7. Tripadvisor

• Founders: Stephen Kaufer, Langley Steinert
• Founded Year: 2000
• Headquarters: Needham, Massachusetts, USA
• Product Categories: Hotels, flights, restaurants, activities, vacation rentals
• Description: Tripadvisor is renowned for its 1 billion+ user reviews, making it a trusted platform for travel planning. Beyond reviews, it functions as an OTA, offering bookings for hotels, flights, and activities. Its 2024 data shows 463 million monthly visitors, with a strong U.S. and European presence. Tripadvisor’s focus on transparency and community-driven insights helps travelers make informed decisions, while its tools for property owners enhance visibility for listed businesses.
• Key Features:
  • 1 billion+ reviews and ratings.
  • Tripadvisor Plus subscription for exclusive deals.
  • Comparison tool for hotels and flights.
  • Traveler’s Choice Awards for top properties.
  • Tools for businesses to manage listings.
  • Mobile app with offline access.

8. MakeMyTrip

• Founders: Deep Kalra
• Founded Year: 2000
• Headquarters: Gurugram, India
• Product Categories: Hotels, flights, buses, trains, holiday packages, activities
• Description: MakeMyTrip is India’s leading OTA, capturing 20% of the country’s online travel market. Serving over 50 million users, it offers a wide range of travel services, focusing on domestic and outbound travel. Its acquisition by Trip.com Group in 2020 boosted its global reach. MakeMyTrip’s use of AI and machine learning for personalized offers, combined with regional expertise, makes it indispensable for Indian travelers and South Asian markets.
• Key Features:
  • Over 100,000 hotels in India and abroad.
  • myBiz for corporate travel management.
  • AI-driven price alerts and recommendations.
  • Multi-modal transport bookings (bus, train, flight).
  • Zero cancellation fees on select bookings.
  • 24/7 support in multiple Indian languages.

9. Traveloka

• Founders: Ferry Unardi, Derianto Kusuma, Albert Zhang
• Founded Year: 2012
• Headquarters: Jakarta, Indonesia
• Product Categories: Hotels, flights, activities, car rentals, lifestyle services
• Description: Traveloka is Southeast Asia’s largest OTA, serving 100+ million users across Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam. Specializing in regional travel, it offers a vast inventory of budget and luxury accommodations. Its lifestyle services, like event tickets and vouchers, diversify its offerings. Traveloka’s mobile-first approach and partnerships with local providers make it a go-to platform for Asian travelers, with plans to expand globally in 2025.
• Key Features:
  • Over 400,000 properties in Southeast Asia.
  • EasyPay for installment-based bookings.
  • Lifestyle services like spa and dining vouchers.
  • Price alerts for flights and hotels.
  • Multilingual support for regional languages.
  • Secure payment gateway with local options.

10. Despegar

• Founders: Roberto Souviron, Martín Rastellino
• Founded Year: 1999
• Headquarters: Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Product Categories: Hotels, flights, vacation packages, car rentals, cruises
• Description: Despegar, also known as Decolar in Brazil, is Latin America’s leading OTA, operating in 20 countries. With a focus on regional travel, it serves 29 million customers, offering tailored solutions for South American markets. Its 2025 initiatives include AI-driven personalization and expanded B2B services. Despegar’s strong local presence and partnerships with global brands make it a key player in the region’s growing travel sector.
• Key Features:
  • Over 270,000 hotels in Latin America.
  • Flexible payment plans in local currencies.
  • AI-powered travel recommendations.
  • B2B platform for travel agents.
  • Mobile app with real-time updates.
  • 24/7 customer support in Spanish and Portuguese.

11. Hotwire

• Founders: Karl Peterson (under Expedia Group)
• Founded Year: 2000
• Headquarters: San Francisco, California, USA
• Product Categories: Hotels, flights, car rentals, vacation packages
• Description: A subsidiary of Expedia Group, Hotwire specializes in discounted travel through its “Hot Rate” model, where users book without knowing the provider until after purchase. Popular in North America, it’s expanding into Europe in 2025. Hotwire’s focus on last-minute deals and opaque pricing appeals to budget-conscious travelers, offering significant savings on hotels and flights with a streamlined booking process.
• Key Features:
  • Hot Rate for up to 60% off bookings.
  • Bundle deals for flights and hotels.
  • Price tracking for real-time savings.
  • Mobile app for quick bookings.
  • 24/7 customer support.
  • Growing international presence.

12. Lastminute.com

• Founders: Martha Lane Fox, Brent Hoberman
• Founded Year: 1998
• Headquarters: Chiasso, Switzerland
• Product Categories: Hotels, flights, holiday packages, car rentals, activities
• Description: Lastminute.com is a European OTA specializing in spontaneous travel, offering last-minute deals on flights, hotels, and packages. With 200,000+ daily users, it’s ideal for filling short-notice vacancies. Its niche focus on quirky hotels and secret rooms appeals to adventurous travelers. In 2025, Lastminute.com is enhancing its mobile platform and expanding into new markets, maintaining its edge in the fast-paced European travel sector.
• Key Features:
  • Last-minute deals with up to 50% off.
  • Secret rooms for unique stays.
  • Holiday packages with meals and entertainment.
  • Mobile-first booking experience.
  • Flexible cancellation options.
  • Strong European market focus.

13. eDreams Odigeo

• Founders: Javier Pérez-Tenessa
• Founded Year: 1999
• Headquarters: Barcelona, Spain
• Product Categories: Flights, hotels, car rentals, vacation packages
• Description: eDreams Odigeo is Europe’s largest OTA, operating brands like eDreams, Opodo, and GO Voyages. Serving 18 million customers, it focuses on flights and multi-product bookings. Its subscription-based Prime model offers exclusive discounts, driving loyalty. In 2025, eDreams is investing in AI and blockchain for secure, personalized bookings, making it a top choice for European travelers seeking value and convenience.
• Key Features:
  • Prime subscription for exclusive discounts.
  • Over 60,000 flight routes.
  • AI-driven price predictions.
  • Multi-brand platform for diverse markets.
  • Secure blockchain-based payments.
  • 24/7 multilingual support.

14. HRS

• Founders: Robert Ragge
• Founded Year: 1972
• Headquarters: Cologne, Germany
• Product Categories: Hotels, corporate travel, group bookings
• Description: HRS, originally a traditional travel agency, is now a leading B2B OTA specializing in corporate travel. Serving over 35,000 companies, it offers tailored hotel solutions for business travelers. Its 2025 focus includes sustainability and AI-driven booking tools. HRS’s extensive European inventory and bespoke services make it a preferred partner for global firms seeking efficient, compliant travel management.
• Key Features:
  • Over 300,000 hotels for corporate bookings.
  • Green Stay Initiative for sustainable travel.
  • AI-powered booking optimization.
  • Group booking tools for events.
  • Compliance with corporate travel policies.
  • 24/7 global support.

15. Hostelworld

• Founders: Ray Nolan
• Founded Year: 1999
• Headquarters: Dublin, Ireland
• Product Categories: Hostels, budget hotels, bed and breakfasts
• Description: Hostelworld is the world’s leading OTA for hostel accommodations, connecting social travelers with 36,000+ properties in 180 countries. Its platform emphasizes community, offering tools like in-hostel events and group chats. In 2025, Hostelworld is enhancing its mobile app with AR features for virtual hostel tours. Its focus on budget travel and social experiences makes it a favorite among backpackers and young travelers.
• Key Features:
  • Over 36,000 hostels worldwide.
  • Social features like traveler group chats.
  • AR virtual tours for hostels.
  • Free cancellation on most bookings.
  • 20+ languages supported.
  • Hostelworld Roamies for group trips.

16. Priceline

• Founders: Jay Walker
• Founded Year: 1997
• Headquarters: Norwalk, Connecticut, USA
• Product Categories: Hotels, flights, car rentals, vacation packages, cruises
• Description: Priceline, part of Booking Holdings, is famous for its “Name Your Own Price” model, though it now focuses on Express Deals for discounted bookings. Serving North American travelers, it offers competitive rates on 600,000+ properties. In 2025, Priceline is enhancing its VIP Rewards program and AI-driven deal finder, making it a strong contender for budget-conscious travelers seeking flexibility and savings.
• Key Features:
  • Express Deals for up to 60% off.
  • VIP Rewards program for loyal customers.
  • Over 600,000 properties globally.
  • AI-driven deal finder tool.
  • Bundle bookings for additional savings.

17. Cleartrip

• Founders: Stuart Crighton, Hrush Bhatt, Matthew Spacie
• Founded Year: 2006
• Headquarters: Mumbai, India
• Product Categories: Hotels, flights, trains, holiday packages
• Description: Cleartrip, owned by Flipkart, is a fast-growing Indian OTA known for its clean interface and quick booking process. Serving 15 million users, it focuses on domestic travel, offering competitive rates on flights and hotels. Its 2025 innovations include AI-driven price predictions and expanded regional partnerships, making it a strong player in India’s $77 billion OTA market.
• Key Features:
  • Over 50,000 hotels in India.
  • AI-driven price prediction tool.
  • QuickBook for one-tap reservations.
  • Train ticketing for Indian Railways.
  • Zero convenience fees on select bookings.
  • Multilingual support in Hindi and English.

18. TravelPerk

• Founders: Avi Meir, Javier Suarez, Ron Levin
• Founded Year: 2015
• Headquarters: Barcelona, Spain
• Product Categories: Flights, hotels, trains, car rentals, corporate travel
• Description: TravelPerk is a modern OTA focused on corporate travel, serving thousands of businesses globally. Its platform streamlines bookings, expense tracking, and policy compliance, offering a seamless experience for employees and managers. In 2025, TravelPerk’s carbon offset options and AI-driven analytics are driving adoption among eco-conscious firms. Its transparent pricing and 24/7 support make it a top choice for SMEs and large enterprises.
• Key Features:
  • Automated expense reconciliation.
  • Carbon offset for sustainable travel.
  • AI-driven travel analytics.
  • 24/7 support with 1-minute response.
  • Transparent pricing with no hidden fees.
  • Integration with HR and finance tools.

19. Ixigo

• Founders: Aloke Bajpai, Rajnish Kumar
• Founded Year: 2007
• Headquarters: Gurugram, India
• Product Categories: Flights, trains, buses, hotels, holiday packages
• Description: Ixigo is a tech-driven Indian OTA, leveraging AI and machine learning to serve 200 million users. Known for its train booking feature, it dominates India’s rail travel segment. Its 2025 focus includes voice-based bookings and expanded international offerings. Ixigo’s user-friendly app and real-time updates make it a preferred platform for young, tech-savvy Indian travelers planning budget-friendly trips.
• Key Features:
  • Real-time train status and ticketing.
  • AI-powered trip planner.
  • Voice-based booking feature.
  • Over 80,000 hotels in India.
  • Price alerts for flights and trains.
  • Multi-language support.

20. Hotelbeds

• Founders: Not publicly disclosed (founded as TUI Travel subsidiary)
• Founded Year: 2001
• Headquarters: Palma de Mallorca, Spain
• Product Categories: Hotels, transfers, activities, B2B travel services
• Description: Hotelbeds, now part of HBX Group, is a leading B2B OTA, connecting 60,000+ travel agents and tour operators with 180,000 hotels. Its focus on wholesale distribution and technology solutions makes it a backbone of the global travel industry. In 2025, Hotelbeds is enhancing its API for seamless integrations and sustainable travel options, serving as a critical partner for businesses seeking global reach.
• Key Features:
  • Over 180,000 hotels in 190 countries.
  • Advanced API for B2B integrations.
  • Sustainable travel options for partners.
  • Group and MICE booking tools.
  • 24/7 support for B2B clients.
  • Extensive transfer and activity inventory.

Conclusion

The OTA landscape in 2025 is dynamic, driven by AI, sustainability, and regional expertise. From global giants like Booking.com and Expedia to regional leaders like MakeMyTrip and Despegar, these 20 OTAs cater to diverse traveler needs, offering innovative features and expansive inventories. For hoteliers, partnering with these platforms can unlock new markets, while travelers benefit from competitive pricing and personalized experiences. As the travel industry grows, these OTAs will continue to shape its future, blending technology with human-centric services.