No, it’s not North Korea and Kim Jong-un at the trigger but upstart Thai-based OTA Traveliko who has launched an online platform with 10% commission.

Traveliko has created a high-value USP by not only dropping OTA commissions which typically run anywhere from 15-25% of booking revenue to a palatable ten per cent, but are also giving back with 20% of commission revenue donated towards sustainable charity organizations.

The start up is collaboration, led by hotelier Yann Gouriou who is Chief Operations Officer.

Hotel groups have signed on include Centara Hotels and Resorts, Dusit International, Absolute Hotel Services and Red Planet, with more in the pipeline.

An increasing number of hotel owners are becoming frustrated by the high cost of OTA commissions which international chains have somehow succumbed to. Bottom lines are shrinking and this is no doubt the start of a pivot, as commission rates are likely to start coming under greater pressure of competition.

For this war, missiles aren’t really needed, just Wi-Fi and a valid credit card. And yes, no nukes.

Bill Barnett is the Founder and Managing Director of C9 Hotelworks, who are a leading consulting firm specializing in hotels, tourism and property development in Asia Pacific. C9 assists developers, private equity and financial institutions, and investors in providing market research, feasibility studies, hotel operator negotiations, asset management and transaction/due diligence support.

From their base of operations in Thailand the group is considered a leading regional player in market intelligence, and publish regular industry updates.

For more information contact www.c9hotelworks.com