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The Challenge
SpyderHill, a boutique forest homestay in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, ran on WordPress + HBook across 8 OTA channels (Airbnb, Booking.com, Agoda, Tiket.com). Only about 28% of bookings came direct, so the property paid an estimated RM8,000–10,000 a month in OTA commissions. Keeping calendars in sync by hand caused 2–3 double-bookings a month, and the old checkout couldn't accept FPX or Touch 'n Go — so many Malaysian guests abandoned at payment.
2
The Solution
SpyderHill became Tamu's first live property. Tamu added bidirectional iCal sync across all 8 OTA channels to block double-bookings automatically, a mobile-first admin dashboard, automated confirmation and check-in messaging, and Malaysian payment methods (FPX and Touch 'n Go) alongside cards. The property was also listed on the Visit network with a "Book Direct" button as a free distribution channel.
The Results
In the first 30 days, direct bookings rose from 28% to 52% of the total and OTA commissions fell by about RM3,300 a month — roughly RM39,600 a year at that rate. Double-bookings dropped from 2–3 a month to zero, and payment success climbed from 82% to 98% once FPX was enabled. These are owner-reported figures from the pilot's first month, shared as early estimates rather than audited results.