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.

Are star ratings and other hotel industry classifications still relevant?
News / Online
Are star ratings and other hotel industry classifications still relevant?
By RJ Friedlander | May 20, 2014
Originally created to set expectations for hotel experiences, the star rating system and industry classifications like luxury, upscale or budget are increasingly coming under pressure for lack of rele Read More
TUI Travel says no threat to packages from OTAs
News / Distribution
TUI Travel says no threat to packages from OTAs
By Linda Fox | May 13, 2014
TUI Travel says there is no impact from online travel agencies despite their strategy to chase the package holiday market. Responding to an analyst question during half-year results ended 31 March Read More
Booking.com launches rental site Villas.com
News / Distribution
Booking.com launches rental site Villas.com
By Kevin May | May 13, 2014
Major product extension for Booking.com as it launches its first standalone brand in the guise of Villas.com. The Priceline-owned accommodation giant officially unveiled the site this week in a bid Read More
Women are embracing solo travel thanks, in part, to social media, says poll
News / Online
Women are embracing solo travel thanks, in part, to social media, says poll
By Sean O'Neil | April 29, 2014
Young women are vacationing alone more frequently, according to a new poll, which also finds that social media helps to provide a sense of comfort and companionship during solo travel. The survey, Read More
Dear tour operators, welcome to 2014 - online reviews drive bookings
News / Technology
Dear tour operators, welcome to 2014 - online reviews drive bookings
By Viewpoints | April 25, 2014
I feel a bit like a dinosaur. I’ve been in the user generated content (UGC) game since before the words "social Media", "Web 2.0", "Facebook" or "Twitter" existed. NB: This is a guest article by Tr Read More
Youth travel booking window reduces as mobile plays a key role
News / Technology
Youth travel booking window reduces as mobile plays a key role
By Karthick Prabu | April 11, 2014
About 50% of youth travel bookings are now made between one and three weeks in advance of the travel/stay date, according to a study. Safe Travel Accommodation for Youth (STAY) WYSE Association, the Read More
In defence of online travel agencies - they are not evil
News / Distribution
In defence of online travel agencies - they are not evil
By Viewpoints | March 31, 2014
There are multiple opinion pieces pushing ways in which hoteliers can free themselves from online travel agencies and increase their own direct bookings. NB: This is an analysis by Sabrina Lugo at Read More
Middle East travel industry - mobile and last-minute bookings kick in
News / Technology
Middle East travel industry - mobile and last-minute bookings kick in
By Siew Hoon Yeoh | March 18, 2014
In my recent visits to Dubai, I have sensed growing excitement around the nascent online space. The opportunities are huge and diverse in the Middle East travel sector. More investors are eying the Read More
Japan industrial tourism, Uber in Riyadh, Hotels.com states the obvious, and more
News / Online
Japan industrial tourism, Uber in Riyadh, Hotels.com states the obvious, and more
By PhocusWire | February 25, 2014
This is a roundup of product news and announcements for travel MARKETING in tourism and hospitality for February 2014. Thursday 27 February 2014: Japan industrial tourism website launched A Read More
Priceline reports strong results as Booking.com creeps into North America
News
Priceline reports strong results as Booking.com creeps into North America
By Nick Vivion | February 21, 2014
Priceline has reported its Q4 2013 results, posting strong growth in bookings, gross profit, and net income. During the call, Priceline CEO Darren Huston (who took over from Jeff Boyd in the summer Read More
OTAs are winning the battle but maybe not the hotel distribution war
News / Distribution
OTAs are winning the battle but maybe not the hotel distribution war
By Viewpoints | February 12, 2014
OTAs cannibalising direct hotel sales isn't surprising, and boils down to two things: the range of offers and the ability to put huge marketing clout into driving custom. But, last week's article ( Read More
Broken down, how OTAs are eating hotel business
News / Distribution
Broken down, how OTAs are eating hotel business
By Linda Fox | February 6, 2014
Fact - online travel agents are taking everyone's lunch, apparently charging pretty high commissions and have become pretty good at the whole hotel distribution game. No discussion about OTAs and h Read More
Watch out, Canada - Booking.com is coming for you as well
News / Online
Watch out, Canada - Booking.com is coming for you as well
By Nick Vivion | January 31, 2014
[video_popup width="805" height="454" video_link="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjYUb42X4zE" video_image_link="https://www.tnooz.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bookingepic3-e1391182880443.jpg"] Pr Read More
GetYourGuide woos ex-Booking.com boss and others to invest $4.5M
News
GetYourGuide woos ex-Booking.com boss and others to invest $4.5M
By Kevin May | January 30, 2014
More investment capital pouring into Getyourguide - this time in the shape of $4.5 million from Kees Koolen and Fritz Demopoulos, ex-respective CEOs of Booking.com and Qunar. The latest round comes Read More
Travel MARKETING roundup - January 2014
News / Online
Travel MARKETING roundup - January 2014
By PhocusWire | January 30, 2014
This is a roundup of product news and announcements for travel MARKETING in tourism and hospitality for January 2014. 30 January 2014: CheapAir connects each customer with a personal travel advi Read More