CEO Stephen Kaufer made the clarification in a call with investors following its Q3 earnings when he confirmed the user review (and perhaps soon, metasearch) giant would allow users to make reservations for hotels on its mobile applications.
Kaufer says the company is not becoming an OTA, remaining a fan of the media model and continuing to be happy to facilitate a reservation while partners fulfill the request.
This is not surprising.
Read full story at: http://www.tnooz.com/article/tripadvisor-doesnt-want-become-ota-happy-remain-booking-facilitator/