Barcelona, 12 June 2025: Leading Online Travel Agents (OTA’s) are controlling hotel visibility on Google Search, while secondary OTAs are undercutting rates to attract bookings, confirms the

In the latest monthly report delving into hotel pricing online, analyzes OTA market visibility — both in paid placements and organic results — and how this correlates with pricing behavior across global markets.

The May WPM illustrates how Booking Holdings and Expedia Group account for nearly all visibility, with Booking leading in both paid and organic spaces. In contrast, smaller OTAs compete mainly on price, showing higher Lose rates (where their hotel pricing is lower), especially in markets where they hold regional influence - for example MakeMyTrip in India and in Argentina.

Although visibility is clearly concentrated in the hands of the major OTAs, internal dynamics within each group reveal differing trends. Booking.com continues to lead in both paid and organic spaces, however its presence in paid placements has slightly declined. Expedia, on the other hand, has increased its investment in sponsored visibility, narrowing the gap between the two.

“We’re not just seeing a concentration of visibility — we’re also seeing strategic adjustments within the leading groups,” says Jordi Serra, CEO at 123Compare.me. “As Booking and Expedia consolidate their online presence, the pressure on pricing increasingly shifts to other players. That’s where hotels need to stay alert: visibility and undercutting don’t always come from the same source.”

Claudia Rodríguez, Business Unit Director at Sekuenz, reflects on the strategic value of the WPM:: “The WPM doesn’t just provide data — it helps us understand what’s happening in the market and make more precise strategic decisions. The fact that direct hotel prices are more frequently undercut in paid placements than in organic results clearly shows where the most aggressive battles for conversion are taking place. This should directly inform how hotels allocate their digital marketing budgets.”

She also points out the importance of monitoring shifts in OTA strategy: “Booking has slightly reduced its investment in paid placements, while Expedia has increased it. These movements should prompt revenue and distribution teams to reconsider how visibility costs and direct sales are being impacted.”

The data reveals clear contrasts in OTA behaviors in different regions worldwide, demonstrating more localised visibility and pricing strategies to capture the consumer.

In Europe, Booking continues to lead in paid placements with relatively stable pricing, except in Switzerland (see notes below) , where regulatory action has prompted noticeably more aggressive pricing. Price competition intensifies across Asia. In India, Booking undercuts more frequently than Expedia, while regional players like MakeMyTrip secure strong organic visibility within their home market.

In North America, Expedia holds steady in both visibility and pricing in the U.S., where the market shows greater maturity and strategic balance. Sudden shifts are proving much less common, and parity levels are generally more stable. Booking dominates visibility across most countries in Latin America and while Expedia is less present, it shifts its focus to more aggressive pricing — especially in markets like Argentina.

Down in South Africa, Booking combines dominant online presence with a high frequency of undercutting. Australia, by contrast, displays a more balanced landscape where both major OTAs share visibility and adopt moderate pricing strategies.

The World Parity Monitor is a trusted industry tool used by hoteliers to monitor OTA pricing behavior and visibility performance across online distribution channels — helping brands and independent hotels optimize direct booking strategies and minimize revenue loss due to undercutting.

Read the full May 2025 WPM report here:

Most recently, Shawna served as Director of Destination Marketing and Member Engagement at Tourism Squamish. In this role, she led initiatives focused on increasing hotel occupancy, elevating the destination’s visibility, and enhancing the visitor experience.

A strategic thinker and collaborative leader, Shawna is known for translating stakeholder input into effective and results-driven strategies. Her experience working with destinations, clients, and communities, along with her Master’s in Tourism Management from Royal Roads University, positions her to make an immediate and meaningful impact on our industry.

"I'm delighted to have Shawna joining our team," shares Paul Hawes, BCHA President & CEO. "Shawna brings over two decades of incredible experience in the tourism and hospitality sectors - her leadership will be invaluable. I know her contributions will greatly benefit our hotel members and stakeholders, and I can't wait to see the great things we'll achieve together." 

Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Shawna as she begins this important role. She can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. starting June 16.

QUEBEC CITY, June 10, 2025 /CNW/ - Germain Hotels has announced the appointment of Marie Pier Germain and Hugo Germain as co-presidents of the family business, effective immediately, as the company continues its rapid expansion.

Founded by Christiane and Jean-Yves Germain, Germain Hotels has established itself as a flagship of the Canadian hotel industry. This leadership transition reflects the continuity of a strong family vision and a shared commitment to ensuring the long-term sustainability of what has been built over the past 36 years. 

With a new generation at the helm, Germain Hotels is embarking on the next chapter in its evolution, staying true to its roots while boldly looking toward the future. The new leadership team aims to continue expanding the hotel's network across Canada and beyond, fostering innovation, and maintaining a focus on authenticity and sustainable development, all rooted in a human-centred approach to hospitality and a constant desire for excellence.

Marie Pier and Hugo have been with Germain Hotels for over 20 years. Both have actively contributed to its growth across Canada, gradually taking on leadership roles over the years. Today, they maintain the co-presidency model, a guarantee of complementarity and a structure that reflects the essential collaboration among teams, an element at the heart of the organization's culture.

The founders highlight the exceptional work of the new co-presidents

"I have had the privilege of working closely with Hugo since he joined the company. He was the very first General Manager of the Alt banner and, from the very beginning, embodied the innovative spirit that is a cornerstone of our brand. With his energy, he possesses a rare ability to bring a vision to life with rigour and creativity, which gives me full confidence in the future." Christiane Germain, Co-Founder, Germain Hotels

"I have seen Marie Pier successfully lead complex projects such as the opening of our first hotel in Calgary in 2006, and later, the major transformation of Le Germain Hotel Montreal in 2018. On each occasion, she demonstrated remarkable strategic intelligence and an exceptional eye for detail." Jean-Yves Germain, Co-Founder, Germain Hotels

The new leaders share their thoughts

"It is a true privilege to continue the work of our parents while writing the next chapters. We do so with respect and ambition, surrounded by an exceptional team working in every region of the country." Marie Pier Germain, Co-President, Germain Hotels

"We grew up with this company and have poured our hearts into it. Today, we are ready to take charge in our own way while remaining true to the values that have made Germain Hotels so strong. Our goal remains the same: to ensure that every guest enjoys an unforgettable experience when they stay with us." Hugo Germain, Co-President, Germain Hotels

Together, they added: "We want to continue strengthening our roots in Canada so that Germain Hotels becomes the preferred choice and benchmark for Canadian travellers. With our solid foundations and the incredible talent and unwavering commitment of our teams, there is nothing stopping us, even as we set our sights to expand beyond our borders!"

Vancouver, B.C. – June 9, 2025 – Fairmont Waterfront is thrilled to announce the return of its Garden Dinner Series – a highly anticipated rooftop dining experience that celebrates seasonal cuisine, premium B.C. wine pairings, and live local music, all set against the breathtaking backdrop of Vancouver’s harbour and North Shore Mountains.

Launching June 19, 2025, with additional evenings on July 24 and August 21, each garden dinner offers a thoughtfully curated multi-course and locally inspired menu from Executive Chef Harris Sakalis, alongside bespoke wine pairings from some of British Columbia’s most celebrated local wineries.

The series will also feature insights from Fairmont Waterfront’s longstanding collaborators, including Chief Beekeeper Julia Common, and Dave Wayward of Wayward Distillery, who has partnered with the hotel for several years to craft its signature honey-based gin.

The three-part dining series promises a fresh and distinct experience each time, with every event showcasing a unique local wine partner and live music from three B.C. artists.

This year’s wine partners are united by their commitment to sustainability, mirroring the practices upheld by Fairmont Waterfront, and will include (June 19), (July 24) and (August 21). For the first time, each wine partner will offer a special selection of their vintage library wines, providing guests with a unique opportunity to try some of the wineries’ most coveted pours.

Each menu offers a unique celebration of local produce, showcasing seasonal catches like B.C. spot prawns and halibut, alongside regionally sourced meat and fresh garden vegetables. Ingredients from the hotel’s rooftop garden will be woven into each carefully curated menu, making the evening truly distinctive to Fairmont Waterfront. 

Guests will also be given the opportunity to try honey harvested from the rooftop hives through feature dishes and signature gin-based cocktails.

“We’re incredibly excited to bring back the Garden Dinner Series for another season,” said Mike Pagnacco, Director of Food & Beverage at Fairmont Waterfront. “There’s something truly special about dining in the middle of our rooftop garden – surrounded by fresh herbs, buzzing bees, and live local music – while enjoying a menu that celebrates the best of what B.C. has to offer. It’s a uniquely Vancouver experience that connects guests to the land, the food, and the people behind it all.”

Accommodations for dietary requirements and free-spirited options will be available to ensure an inclusive dining experience for all.

The Garden Dinner Series is a ticketed event with limited seating to preserve an intimate and immersive atmosphere. Set amidst the hotel’s rooftop garden – home to herbs, vegetables, edible flowers, and resident honeybees – the series connects guests to the land, the seasons, and the community in one unforgettable evening.

Book your spot here: Garden Dinner Series - Fairmont Waterfront.