GetYourGuide is one of the world's largest experience marketplaces, with a presence in over 170 countries. For operators in destinations like Colombia, Peru, Thailand or Indonesia, it's often the first channel they turn to for visibility.
But depending on GetYourGuide as a primary channel has a cost beyond the commission percentage: you never know who your customers are and you're trapped in a cycle where you always need to pay the intermediary.
Quick comparison: GetYourGuide vs Outvia
| GetYourGuide | Outvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Commission per booking | 20–30% | 0% |
| Direct customer contact | No | Yes |
| Price control | Limited | Full |
| Advance payment | Yes (managed by GYG) | Yes (managed by you via Stripe) |
| WhatsApp confirmations | No | Yes |
| Multilingual QR codes | No | Yes |
| Model | Intermediary marketplace | Direct sales tool |
Commissions: what it really costs you
Colombia example — Guided trek $45 USD/person, group of 10. With 20 trips/month: between $1,800 and $2,700 USD/month — per year between $21,600 and $32,400 USD.
Thailand example — Jungle tour $55 USD/person, group of 12. With 25 trips/month: between $3,300 and $4,950 USD/month — per year between $39,600 and $59,400 USD.
With Outvia, you pay a fixed monthly subscription. The rest is yours.
Customer control
GetYourGuide: the customer belongs to the platform. You can't contact them outside the system.
With Outvia: you have their name, email and WhatsApp from the first moment.
Why GetYourGuide dominates in these regions
It captures the European or North American tourist before they arrive at the destination. That's their real value proposition. The problem is that this access has a permanent cost.
WhatsApp as a communication channel
GetYourGuide doesn't integrate WhatsApp. All communication goes through their internal system.
Outvia sends confirmations directly via WhatsApp. If there's a last-minute change, you contact the group in seconds.
Multilingual QR codes: capturing the tourist already in your area
Outvia includes multilingual QR codes to place in hotels or at your meeting point. The tourist scans and books directly, without going through any marketplace.
The strategy that works: using both in parallel
- GetYourGuide → to attract tourists who don't yet know you
- Outvia → so that same tourist books directly next time
Conclusion
GetYourGuide is a gateway to the international tourist. But if you're still paying 20–30% of each booking without having built your own sales channel, every month that passes is money that could have stayed in your operation.
Frequently asked questions
Do the examples apply even if I don't operate in those destinations? Yes. The problem is the same in any tourist destination.
Does GetYourGuide penalize you if you also sell independently? Contracts vary. Some include price parity clauses. Review your specific contract.
How much does Outvia cost? Fixed monthly subscription, without per-booking commissions. outvia.app.
Do you offer guided activities and want to sell without paying commissions? Request access to Outvia.