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.

mmgy portrait of american travelers
News / Online
Travelers losing interest in home-sharing, Google gaining ground as travel resource
By Jill Menze | June 20, 2018
For all the chatter of Airbnb stealing scene time away from hotels, traveler interest in home-sharing seems to be waning. Read More
OTA Insight parity tool and report
News / Distribution
OTA Insight launches new parity tool for revenue management
By Mitra Sorrells | June 19, 2018
Hoteliers have a new tool to help them analyze and optimize distribution costs.   Read More
Booking.com driving self-service - chatbot answers almost half of post booking queries
News / Technology
Booking.com driving self-service - chatbot answers almost half of post booking queries
By Rob Gill | June 15, 2018
The majority of consumers prefer to use self-service tools when researching travel options, according to a study by online accommodation giant Booking.com. The survey of 18,500 people from more tha Read More
Expedia gets super-serious about activities, plots five-fold booking jump
News / Online
Expedia gets super-serious about activities, plots five-fold booking jump
By Kevin May | June 13, 2018
Much of the attention in 2018 in tours and activities has been on moves at TripAdvisor and Booking Holdings - but Expedia Group has big ambitions of its own. Read More
Global powerhouse solidifies as Booking.com CEO joins Ctrip board
By Kevin May | June 12, 2018
The relationship between Booking Holdings and Ctrip was seen primarily through the "frenemy" prism - but the pair have now got even closer. Read More
VIDEO: Deep dive on hotels and online travel agencies
News / Distribution
VIDEO: Deep dive on hotels and online travel agencies
By PhocusWire | June 11, 2018
Some say the online travel agency vs. hotel debate moves in cycles, depending on who has the biggest to axe grind during a particular period in time. Read More
Report says timeshare failed to evolve against rise of Airbnb
News / Distribution
Report says timeshare failed to evolve against rise of Airbnb
By Kevin May | June 11, 2018
The "sharing economy" in travel didn't arrive on the scene with the advent of global mega-brands such as HomeAway or, more recently, Airbnb. Read More
Booking.com SimilarWeb report
News / Distribution
Booking.com leads in online traffic with market-customized strategies
By Mitra Sorrells | June 4, 2018
Booking.com is the most visited travel website in the world according to SimilarWeb, with an average of more than 420 million visit per month in the last six months. Read More
VIDEO: Booking.com on its big opportunity in private accommodation
News / Online
VIDEO: Booking.com on its big opportunity in private accommodation
By PhocusWire | May 25, 2018
Booking.com is fighting on a number of fronts these days, having ramped up its strategy on private accommodation over the course of the last two years. Read More
How organic search is becoming ineffective for hotels on Google
News / Online
How organic search is becoming ineffective for hotels on Google
By Kevin May | May 23, 2018
Most conversations that involve digital marketing and the efforts of hotels and online travel agencies to gain exposure usually revolve around advertising. Read More
3 big ideas for 2018: Airbnb unstoppable, battle for TripAdvisor is over and new players start to reshape the industry
News / Distribution
3 big ideas for 2018: Airbnb unstoppable, battle for TripAdvisor is over and new players start to reshape the industry
By Viewpoints | May 16, 2018
This is a viewpoint from Gitit Greenberg, director of digital insights at SimilarWeb. In an industry as large and significant as travel, even minor changes to the digital hierarchy can have major r Read More
Online travel agencies and their use of "voodoo science"
Opinion / Distribution
Online travel agencies and their use of "voodoo science"
By Max Starkov - HEBS Digital | May 15, 2018
It was always going to be mildly controversial when the European Technology and Travel Services Association (ETTSA) released its report last week into direct hotel bookings. Read More
Startup Stage VacationRenter
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: VacationRenter aims to solve the industry's inventory fragmentation
By Mitra Sorrells | May 14, 2018
Two ex-Googlers created the vacation rental search engine that consolidates listings from sites such as Booking.com, VRBO, HomeAway and more.  Read More
Hotel direct distribution benefits "debunked"
News / Distribution
Hotel direct distribution benefits "debunked"
By Kevin May | May 10, 2018
"No measurable impact" is the headline-grabbing finding from a study looking at whether direct bookings have any impact on the cost of distribution for hotels. Read More
Booking Holdings hits record $25B booking mark for a quarter
By Jill Menze | May 9, 2018
In the first quarter of 2018, Booking Holdings, formerly the Priceline Group, has reported significant financial growth despite a slowing of growth in bookings and room nights. Read More
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