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US: Booking Holdings CEO Glenn Fogel says AI and connected travel experiences will play a central role in the company’s long-term growth strategy as online travel competition intensifies.
Speaking at an investor conference, Fogel described AI as an “absolute net benefit” for Booking Holdings, with applications across customer service, software development and personalised travel offers.
The company is also continuing to expand its “Connected Trip” strategy, which aims to bring accommodation, flights, car hire, attractions and dining together into a more integrated booking experience.
Fogel said Booking Holdings remains focused on long-term product investment despite ongoing geopolitical and macroeconomic uncertainty affecting the travel sector.
The CEO highlighted growing demand for direct booking relationships, noting that 65 per cent of users currently come directly to Booking.com rather than through third-party channels.
He added that loyalty programmes and first-party customer data could become more important as AI reshapes how travellers discover and book trips online.
Booking also pointed to continued growth in its flight business, with Fogel claiming the company may now be one of the world’s largest third-party flight sellers outside China.
The comments come as major travel platforms race to integrate AI tools into trip planning, customer service and booking experiences, while competition continues to grow between hotels, short-term rentals and alternative accommodation providers.
Highlights:
- Booking Holdings says AI will play a major role in future travel discovery and booking.
- CEO Glenn Fogel described AI as an “absolute net benefit” for the business.
- Booking continues expanding its “Connected Trip” strategy linking accommodation, flights and experiences.
- The company said 65 per cent of users now book directly through Booking.com.
- Booking highlighted continued growth in flights and non-hotel travel services.
