Heartful vs Booking.com: Why Local Leadership Matters

Booking.com dominates through volume, but Heartful leads through values. For Australian travellers and hosts seeking meaningful accommodation and travel experiences that enrich local communities and keep profits here, the choice is clear.

Significant Cost Savings

• Heartful: 7% commission rate (increasing to 10% October 2025)
• Booking.com: 15-25% commission depending on property type and location
• Impact: Hosts keep significantly more earnings, enabling competitive guest pricing

Algorithm That Reflects Australian Values

Booking.com's algorithm prioritises:

• Highest commission properties
• Corporate hotel chains
• Volume over values

Heartful's search prioritises:

• Sustainability and environmental impact
• Accessibility and inclusion features
• Community-owned and operated properties
• Cultural authenticity and local relevance

Australian Ownership Makes the Difference

• Heartful: Founded and operated in Australia, all profits reinvested locally
• Booking.com: Dutch multinational corporation with all profits invested outside Australia
• Key Benefit: Supporting Australian innovation, entrepreneurship and purpose-led values

Designed for Diverse Travellers

Booking.com offers basic filters. Heartful provides comprehensive options for:

• Travellers with unique needs requiring specific accommodation features
• LGBTQIA+ travellers seeking affirming, welcoming spaces and experiences
• Environmentally conscious guests
• Travellers seeking richer, more localised cultural experiences
• Families with diverse accessibility needs

Quality Over Quantity Approach

While Booking.com focuses on maximum inventory, Heartful curates properties that meet high standards for:

• Environmental responsibility
• Cultural sensitivity
• Accessibility compliance and inclusion
• Local community involvement and integration
• Respect for indigenous heritage
• Host authenticity and commitment to improvement

Supporting Australia's Tourism Future

Choose Heartful to back a platform building Australia's reputation as a leader in sustainable, inclusive tourism.