Our story
Over the past 15 years, big booking websites like Booking.com, Airbnb and Expedia have changed the way we all travel.
They’re convenient, and millions of us trust them. But that convenience comes at a cost that most travellers never see.
Much of what you pay never reaches the place you stay.
Commissions are taken from every booking – and much of that money leaves the towns, villages and coastlines we love to visit. It’s money that could have paid local cleaners, tradespeople, food producers and suppliers.
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£1.1bn
earned by Booking.com in 2024 from UK accommodation – by its own accounts
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£885m
of that leaves the UK. Only about £215m is spent back here
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£2bn
a year, estimated, paid by UK hotels, B&Bs and holiday lets to overseas booking platforms
From Booking.com Limited’s 2024 accounts at Companies House, and Mooch estimates. See how we worked it out →
