I made my reservations almost a half year in advance. A few months before I went out there, I called to see if I could add a day or two. Nope, they were fully booked for the summer.

The guy that posted that booking sites are "a huge value add for the hotel operator" apparently does not realize how much motels have to pay the booking companies. I agree with you, a lot of small independent motel operators in touristy areas can do quite well if they do not use the booking companies. They get enough business just by being there, people look for them and find them.

Travel agents used to be able to make a middle class income, but they have been replaced by the big internet booking companies. But that does not mean that the travel costs have gone down any.