Online travel agencies solve one problem well: distribution. They also take a commission on every stay and keep the guest relationship, which means you rent demand instead of owning it.
A direct channel starts with three things: a fast booking-first website, rate integrity so guests are never punished for booking direct, and a follow-up system that turns a first stay into a second.
Local SEO and Google Business are the discovery layer. Most guests searching for a hotel in Port Harcourt start on a map, not a travel platform — being the clearest, best-reviewed result is a revenue decision.
Finally, treat your event hall as a second business. Corporate bookings, private events and recurring hospitality programming often carry better margins than room nights alone.