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.

Booking.com opts for partner route to expand tours and activities
News / Distribution
Booking.com opts for partner route to expand tours and activities
By Kevin May | May 6, 2019
A year after buying FareHarbor to spearhead its move into tours and activities, Booking.com is adopting an additional approach and working directly with rival software vendors. Read More
hotel-loyalty-programs
News / Distribution
Hotel loyalty should be more than just rewards and favored partners
By Linda Fox | April 30, 2019
A discussion on loyalty in hotels sparked interesting comment around how program members should be treated. Read More
Rentals United adds $4.25M in funding to boost technology platform
News / Distribution
Rentals United adds $4.25M in funding to boost technology platform
By Linda Fox | April 26, 2019
The capital comes from Stella EOC Capital and Howzat Partners, with existing investors also participating in the round. Read More
Grab adds hotel bookings other services
News / Technology
Grab expands beyond ride-hailing with new services to become "everyday super app"
By Marissa Trew - WiT | April 24, 2019
Grab is adding four new services for its users in Singapore including hotel bookings through Agoda and Booking.com. Read More
Hotel cancelation rate at 40% as online travel agencies push free change policy
News / Distribution
Hotel cancelation rate at 40% as online travel agencies push free change policy
By Kevin May | April 23, 2019
Key findings from a major study carried out by D-Edge, the Accor-owned hotel technology group that includes the AvailPro and FastBooking platforms. Read More
Middle East series part 3 distribution
News / Distribution
Middle East, part 3: How homegrown travel brands are diversifying distribution
By Mitra Sorrells | April 22, 2019
For the third part in our series on the Middle East, we analyze the distribution landscape and the role of homegrown online travel agencies. Read More
STARTUP STAGE: Gomingo wants to bring down commission rates for accommodation providers
Interview / Distribution
STARTUP STAGE: Gomingo wants to bring down commission rates for accommodation providers
By Linda Fox | April 11, 2019
Gomingo aims to bring down commission rates for hotels and other accommodation providers by offering 0% commission to hotels that sign up initially with a promise that they will only reach a maximum of... Read More
Booking.com speaks out on its private accommodation ambitions
News / Online
Booking.com speaks out on its private accommodation ambitions
By Jill Menze | April 9, 2019
Amid its ongoing rivalry with Airbnb, Booking.com explains how it hopes to differentiate its alternative accommodations product. Read More
Middle East series part 1 overview
News / Online
Middle East, part 1: How a young, digital-savvy population is impacting travel
By Mitra Sorrells | April 8, 2019
In part one in our series on the Middle East, we look at how the region's young and connected consumers are changing the travel landscape. Read More
booking-a-b-testing
News / Online
When right goes wrong for travelers in A/B website testing
By Linda Fox | March 29, 2019
A/B testing has become a big part of what online travel agencies do to introduce new functionality and improve the user experience. But it has its problems. Read More
Google hotel search vacation rentals
News / Distribution
Google pushes further into private accommodations, rolls out vacation rentals search worldwide
By Mitra Sorrells | March 26, 2019
Google is adding vacation rental listings from the likes of Expedia Group and TripAdvisor to its Hotel Search platform. Read More
Rate parity issues continue to challenge hotels in key markets
News / Distribution
Rate parity issues continue to challenge hotels in key markets
By Linda Fox | March 25, 2019
OTA Insight's Annual Hotel Parity Review shows independent hotels and local chains are more likely to suffer losses from rate parity issues. Read More
Accommodation providers want brand "hijacking" on Google to be made illegal
News / Online
Accommodation providers want brand "hijacking" on Google to be made illegal
By Linda Fox | March 19, 2019
The Bed and Breakfast Association is supporting a petition to make bidding by OTAs on a B&B or hotel’s name on search engines illegal. Read More
Online travel agency giants spent $10.6B on marketing in 2018 (but look closer)
News / Online
Online travel agency giants spent $10.6B on marketing in 2018 (but look closer)
By Kevin May | March 14, 2019
The $10 billion-plus level of combined marketing between the pair masks a dramatic slowing down of activity compared to previous annual increases. Read More
My Method Booking brand marketing
News / Online
My Method... Booking.com's marketing director on its new brand advertising strategy
By Mitra Sorrells | March 14, 2019
Booking.com's U.S. regional marketing director breaks down the thinking behind the OTA's new brand advertising campaign. Read More
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