Reservations.lk, a new Sri Lankan hotel booking platform focused on supporting local hospitality businesses, has officially opened its platform to onboard more accommodation providers, including boutique villas, homestays and more, across the island.
Positioning itself as a locally built alternative to international booking platforms, Reservations.lk aims to address some of the long standing challenges faced by Sri Lankan accommodation providers, particularly around commission rates, local market understanding and direct accessibility.
The platform currently features over 75 properties, including boutique villas, small hotels and independent stays from across Sri Lanka, with plans to steadily expand its inventory in the coming months.
Unlike many global online travel agencies that charge commission rates upwards of 15 to 20 per cent, Reservations.lk operates on a 12% commission structure. The company says this was designed to create a more sustainable and accessible option for Sri Lankan hospitality businesses, particularly smaller operators navigating rising operational costs and increasing competition in the tourism sector.
“Many accommodation providers in Sri Lanka offer exceptional experiences, but visibility and accessibility remain ongoing challenges,” Niro Cooke, Senior Advisor at Plus94, an investor in Reservations.lk stated. “The goal is to create a platform that is locally rooted, easier to work with and backed by dedicated local support that understands the realities of the Sri Lankan travel industry.”
The company also noted that locally based support teams allow for faster communication and easier issue resolution for property owners, particularly when compared to larger overseas booking platforms where support processes can often feel impersonal or delayed.
Focus on boutique and independently owned stays
The launch comes at a time when Sri Lanka’s tourism sector continues to rebuild momentum, with travellers increasingly seeking personalised stays, boutique experiences and locally managed accommodation options over large-scale chain hotels.
Reservations.lk says the platform was designed with both property owners and travellers in mind. While the current phase is focused on expanding the number of partner properties onboard, the company says travellers will eventually benefit from a wider selection of curated local stays, simplified booking experiences and more direct access to Sri Lankan hospitality brands.
Platforms built within local markets are increasingly being viewed as a way to offer more flexibility and stronger industry relationships. Reservations.lk also plans to focus heavily on independently owned and locally operated properties, a segment that has seen increasing interest among both local and international travellers in recent years. From coastal villas and hill country retreats to city stays and eco properties, the platform aims to showcase a wider range of Sri Lankan accommodation experiences under one locally managed system.
Early onboarding benefits announced for properties joining before mid-June
The company says onboarding is currently open to hotels, villas, guesthouses and other lodging providers interested in joining the platform.
“Properties that complete onboarding before mid-June will also be entitled to a range of introductory benefits as part of the launch phase,” Cooke said.
As Sri Lanka’s tourism industry continues to evolve, the emergence of locally operated booking platforms may also reflect a broader shift towards solutions developed within the market itself, particularly those seeking to balance international visibility with more sustainable business models for local operators.
Reservations.lk is now accepting new property partners through its platform as it prepares for a wider public rollout aimed at travellers in the near future.