Foreign online travel agencies (OTA's), such as Expedia, Hotels.com, Trivago, and Booking.com, are charging Australian travel industry businesses commissions ranging up to 30% for online bookings. According to Dick Smith on Channel 9's "A Current Affair" on September 18th, in 1 year in Port Douglas alone, $180m was sucked off overseas from local accommodation businesses.
Do your online searching, then phone the motel or hotel direct and make your booking on the phone. You may find some pleasant surprises on arrival in appreciation!
