Large Models Enter OTA Territory? Doubao Says Hotel Recommendations 'Charge by Deal' Could Challenge 'Commission + Ads' Model

ByteDance’s AI assistant Doubao is reportedly making inroads into the online travel agency (OTA) sector, suggesting a new pricing model for hotel recommendations based on successful bookings, known as 'pay-per-deal' or 'charge by transaction'. This approach could challenge the conventional OTA revenue model that depends on commissions from hotels and advertising fees. The report, published by Cailianshe, indicates that large language models are increasingly being applied to commercial verticals like travel, potentially reshaping how consumers book hotels and how platforms monetize their services. However, specific details about the implementation and partnerships were not disclosed in the original text.