What Is the Difference Between an OTO and an OTA?

OTO vs. OTA

The Channel Partnership program now extends to Outbound Tour Operators (OTOs) and Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) that offer targeted exposure to hundreds of millions of tourists while they are planning their travel and looking for things to do in their destination.

Here’s a breakdown of the differences between the two:

OTO

OTOs (Outbound Tour Operators) provide B2B services for travel agents that book events on behalf of their clients, for example, large tour groups or international travelers.

OTA

OTAs (Online Travel Agencies) are consumer-facing marketplaces where travelers discover and book events directly, typically consisting of tourist attractions, tours and, increasingly, events.

This vertical captures the demand from people who are visiting your city and looking to plan memorable experiences, an audience referred to as inbound travelers.