A walk-in is the most direct booking there is: a guest turns up and takes a room that night. Walk-ins are unpredictable but valuable — they fill otherwise-empty rooms at the property's own rate, with no commission and no intermediary. They are most common in walkable destinations and during high-demand periods when nearby properties are full.
Because they are last-minute, walk-ins are usually charged at or near the rack rate. A property that is easy to find — a clear sign, an up-to-date map listing, a fast official website with a phone number — captures more of them.
Why it matters for direct booking
A walk-in is a direct booking by definition. The same things that win walk-ins — being easy to find and contact, with a trustworthy official presence — are what a direct booking website does online, turning a passer-by's phone search into a booking with you rather than an OTA.