Booking.com News

As a global leader in online accommodations and travel services, Booking.com continues to shape the digital travel experience through innovation, platform evolution, and strategic partnerships. PhocusWire delivers the latest Booking.com news to keep industry professionals informed on how this travel giant is adapting to shifting market dynamics and consumer expectations.

Key Booking.com updates, partnerships, and market trends

Follow developments in Booking.com’s core technology, loyalty strategies, and supplier relationships, along with its expansion into flights, experiences, and payments. Our reporting covers how the brand is responding to competitive pressures, regulatory environments, and the increasing demand for seamless, personalized travel.

Priceline’s new AI chatbot will mix ChatGPT and Google tech
News / Technology
Priceline’s new AI chatbot will mix ChatGPT and Google tech
By Mitra Sorrells | June 28, 2023
Priceline's new chatbot, Penny, is equipped with security features so users can complete an accommodation booking right within the chat. Read More
Booking.com adds conversational trip planning with ChatGPT
News / Technology
Booking.com adds conversational trip planning with ChatGPT
By Mitra Sorrells | June 27, 2023
For now the chat platform is integrated only with Booking.com’s accommodation booking experience, but the company plans to add flights, ground transportation and other trip components in the future. Read More
Google partners with EU aviation agency on emission data standard
News / Online
Google partners with EU aviation agency on emission data standard
By Mitra Sorrells | June 7, 2023
Lufthansa Group is the pilot partner in this initiative and will provide an extensive set of flight data from specific flights that can be used to improve estimates for future flights on the same... Read More
Online travel giants Q1 marketing spending shows wide variance
News / Online
Online travel giants Q1 marketing spending shows wide variance
By Mitra Sorrells | June 6, 2023
Expedia Group spent the highest percentage of revenue on marketing while Airbnb spent the least and focused on expanding brand awareness and balancing supply and demand. Read More
LGBTQ+ travelers' destination choice influenced by current affairs
News / Online
LGBTQ+ travelers' destination choice influenced by current affairs
By Linda Fox | June 2, 2023
Research from Booking.com reveals that 80% of U.S. LGBTQ+ travelers say they must consider their safety, up from 65% in 2022. Read More
Former Sabre exec Traci Mercer on her new role at Priceline
News / Online
Former Sabre exec Traci Mercer on her new role at Priceline
By Mitra Sorrells | May 31, 2023
In her new role as senior vice president and head of accommodations for Priceline, Traci Mercer discusses her priorities for growing the brand, opportunities in the B2B space and the importance of... Read More
Booking Holdings sees opportunity to recreate "human travel agent” with generative AI
News / Online
Booking Holdings sees opportunity to recreate "human travel agent” with generative AI
By Mitra Sorrells | May 4, 2023
The comments regarding generative AI came as the company shared its first quarter financial results, which had both gross bookings and room nights at record levels for a quarter.  Read More
sustainable travel
News / Online
Consumers see costs as barrier to sustainable travel
By Kathryn Walson | April 17, 2023
While several travel organizations and brands say they are trying to help people choose greener travel, challenges include cost and helping consumers identify more sustainable options. Read More
smartryde-funding-api
News / Startups
Japan’s SmartRyde raises $3.4M as it expands airport transfer marketplace
By Mitra Sorrells | April 9, 2023
Along with the funding, SmartRyde has created an API so online travel agencies and airlines can connect directly to its global network to easily offer pre-booked airport transfers in their booking... Read More
Sustainability STRs_Bob Garner_Opinion
Opinion / Online
Travel needs more leadership to fight climate change
By Bob Garner - EnviroRental | April 5, 2023
The short-term rental industry must own its share of the responsibility for reducing emissions, writes Bob Garner, CEO and founder of EnviroRental. Read More
Blueground image
News / Online
Travel marketers still seeking higher TikTok profiles
By Derek Catron | March 23, 2023
Blueground job listing for content creator provides a high-profile example of travel’s efforts to use social media to build brand affinity and, maybe someday, boost bookings.   Read More
citi-booking-platform-launch
News / Online
Citi’s new travel portal powered by Booking Holdings goes live
By Mitra Sorrells | March 21, 2023
The site includes supply from Booking.com – such as 1.4 million hotels around the world - and is powered by technology from Rocket Travel by Agoda, another of Booking Holdings’ brands. Read More
connected trip
News / Online
When will travel agencies deliver the “Connected Trip”?
By Christian Watts - Magpie | March 6, 2023
Will it be Booking.com, Expedia or an AI startup that finally develops an app that helps you from the start of booking a trip until you get home again? Read More
How digital transformation is shaping travel insurance
Opinion / Online
How digital transformation is shaping travel insurance
By Sasha Gainullin - Battleface | March 3, 2023
Technology changed how we book and pay for travel, and now digital transformation is set to remove payment friction and alter the entire insurance process. Read More
European regulators agree on rentals data sharing approach
News / Online
European regulators agree on rentals data sharing approach
By Linda Fox | March 2, 2023
Ministers for competitiveness agreed on the approach as part of a wider strategy for a “balanced tourism ecosystem.” Read More
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