What should a guesthouse know about platforms and grading in South Africa?
In August 2024 Booking.com agreed to remove price-parity terms from its South African accommodation contracts, so a guesthouse may price lower on its own website. Commission is set in each property's own agreement, and TGCSA branding has to come down if grading lapses. Each point links to its source.
By Horn Dev. Background, not legal advice. Last checked 24 Oct 2026. How we check our pages.
What applies, and where it comes from.
Every point quotes its source and shows when we last checked it. If a source has changed, the source wins, and we want to know.
Price parity is gone
Booking.com agreed with the Competition Commission to remove wide and narrow price-parity terms from all contracts with South African accommodation providers, which means a guesthouse may price lower on its own site.
The source says: In August 2024 Booking.com settled with South Africa's Competition Commission and agreed to remove wide and narrow price-parity terms from all contracts with accommodation providers in South Africa and from criteria for its incentive programmes.
Source: Business Report (IOL), 14 August 2024 · BusinessDay, 13 August 2024 · checked 24 Oct 2026
Know your own commission
Commission varies by country and property type and is stated in your agreement. Guides cite a global average around 15% within a 10 to 25% range, but check your own extranet.
The source says: Industry guides cite a global average Booking.com commission of around 15% within a 10 to 25% range; the rate varies by country and property type and is stated in the property's own agreement.
Source: Guesty: How much does Booking.com charge hosts? · checked 24 Oct 2026
Show grading only while graded
TGCSA grading is an annual membership with a certificate displayed at reception. If it is not renewed, TGCSA-branded material, including websites, must be removed.
The source says: TGCSA grading is an annual membership subject to membership fees, a certificate must be displayed in reception, and if the grading is not renewed all TGCSA marketing collateral, including websites, must be removed.
Source: Tourism Grading Council of South Africa: Get graded · checked 24 Oct 2026
What to put in front of customers.
- Your own direct rate and a reason to book direct
- TGCSA stars only while your grading is current
- A clear enquiry route, such as WhatsApp or a request form
Check with
- Your Booking.com agreement and extranet, for your actual terms
- The Tourism Grading Council of South Africa
Asked most often.
Is it now allowed to charge less on my own website than on Booking.com?
Booking.com agreed in August 2024 to remove price-parity terms from its South African accommodation contracts, which is what used to prevent it. Check your own contract, because terms can differ between agreements.
Where do I find my real Booking.com commission?
In your own agreement and the commission details in your extranet. A general average does not tell you what you pay.
What happens to my website if my TGCSA grading lapses?
TGCSA says that if you do not renew you must remove its marketing collateral, and that includes websites. Take the stars and logo down when the grading ends.
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