The Power of Direct Bookings: How R$ 584,251 in Ads Generated Over R$ 10.5 Million in Sales and More Than R$ 50 Million in Hotel Revenue
Numbers That Tell More Than a Story — They Redefine the Future of Hospitality
From January to July, we invested R$ 584,251 in online ads for our Brazilian clients. The result: R$ 10,539,988 in direct booking engine sales, an impressive 18x ROAS (Return on Ad Spend).
But here’s the deeper story: those R$ 10.5 million represent only about 20% of the hotels’ total revenue. When we project the complete picture, the impact surpasses R$ 50 million in revenue across our portfolio in Brazil.
These are not just marketing statistics. They are proof that with the right strategy, Brazilian hotels can break OTA dependency and achieve sustainable, profitable growth.
OTA Dependency vs. Direct Sales
Across Latin America, independent hotels face the same challenge: heavy reliance on OTAs (Online Travel Agencies). Studies show that many hotels get 60% to 70% of their bookings through OTAs, paying commissions of 15% to 25% per reservation.
By contrast, in Unity-managed hotels, 20% of total revenue already comes through direct booking engines. While that may sound modest, it is a strong contrast to industry averages and represents a major shift toward commercial independence.
What Does an 18x ROAS Mean in Practice?
Let’s put it in perspective:
In e-commerce, a “healthy” ROAS is typically between 3x and 6x.
In travel and hospitality, many hotels work with 5x to 8x as a benchmark.
Achieving 18x ROAS means that for every R$ 1 invested, R$ 18 returned in direct revenue — and this calculation doesn’t include the additional sales generated through WhatsApp, phone calls, Instagram, or walk-ins.
How We Achieved This in Brazil
Our results are not based on chance — they come from method and discipline:
Data-driven media planning: every campaign is designed from market analysis, seasonality, and guest behavior.
Advanced segmentation: reaching the right guest at the right moment.
Continuous optimization: campaigns are managed daily, never left on autopilot.
Commercial alignment: marketing and operations act as one.
Direct booking focus: all strategies drive guests to the hotel’s official website, not to OTAs.
This is why Unity’s numbers in Brazil outperform industry averages.
Impact on Profitability
When we say R$ 10.5 million in booking engine sales, that means no OTA commission. Considering average commissions of 20%, this represents an estimated R$ 2 million saved in fees in just seven months.
This is the true impact: not just gross revenue, but higher margins and healthier profitability for hotels.
Why This Matters for Hoteliers, Investors, and Entrepreneurs
For Brazilian hoteliers, it proves that independence from OTAs is possible.
For investors, it shows that the Brazilian hospitality market, when well-managed, is scalable and profitable.
For entrepreneurs, it’s inspiration: with vision and method, hospitality in emerging markets can achieve results beyond expectations.
The Future of Hospitality in Brazil
This case from Brazil is just the beginning. If direct booking engines already account for 20% of total hotel revenue, our mission is to increase that share to 30%, 40%, and beyond.
We are building a hospitality model that is profitable, independent, and future-ready — in Brazil and worldwide.
From R$ 584,251 invested to more than R$ 50 million in total hotel revenue, this case shows what’s possible when marketing and operations work together.
At Unity Hospitality, we don’t measure success in clicks. We measure it in bookings, in revenue, and in independence for our hotel partners.
Because at the end of the day, this is not just about ads. It’s about Brazilian hoteliers achieving profitability, investors finding value, and guests choosing authentic hospitality experiences.