Booking Holdings Stock Price, News & Analysis

According to the Priceline Wedding Travel Report, 57% of Americans plan to attend more weddings this year, driven by the desire to celebrate after pandemic delays. The report indicates that the average cost for attending a wedding is over $2,700, stressing budgets, especially for Gen Z. Additionally, 59% report that high wedding costs hinder their vacation savings. With inflation rising, 81% say finding travel deals is critical. Priceline emphasizes its commitment to savings, stating it saves customers over $1 billion annually, with up to $625 savings through bundled bookings.

Agoda has partnered with Visa to introduce interest-free credit card instalments for bookings on its platform, making it the first OTA to offer this in the Asia Pacific. Initially available to HSBC Bank Malaysia credit card holders, the rollout will expand regionally to countries like Australia, Singapore, and Thailand. This initiative aims to accommodate changing consumer behaviors post-pandemic by providing flexible payment options. Agoda, part of Booking Holdings (BKNG), emphasizes its commitment to enhancing digital experiences for travelers.

Booking Holdings (NASDAQ: BKNG) will announce its first quarter financial results on May 4, 2022, at approximately 4:00 p.m. ET through a press release on its Investor Relations website. A conference call will follow at 4:30 p.m. ET to discuss these results. The event will also be available for webcast. Booking Holdings is a leader in online travel, offering services via its popular brands, including Booking.com, Priceline, and Kayak.

Lower, the fintech with Ohio's largest Series A funding, has appointed Gautam Kumar as its first Chief Financial Officer. Kumar, previously CFO at Rocket Travel, Inc. (acquired by Bookings Holdings), will lead the company's financial strategies and growth initiatives. His leadership comes as Lower has been recognized by CB Insights as a potential public company and featured in Fast Company's list of innovative finance firms. Kumar aims to enhance customer experiences and promote wealth building through homeownership.

The Board of Directors of Booking Holdings (NASDAQ: BKNG) has nominated Sumit Singh, CEO of Chewy, for election to the Board during the Annual Meeting in June 2022. Singh has led Chewy since March 2018 and has a notable background with senior roles at Amazon and Dell Technologies. His inclusion is expected to bring valuable e-commerce and leadership experience to the Board. Additionally, Director Bob van Dijk will retire from the Board in June. The changes are part of an ongoing effort to strengthen leadership in the company.

Booking Holdings has announced the appointment of Omri Morgenshtern as the new Chief Executive Officer of Agoda, effective July 1, 2022. Morgenshtern, previously the Chief Operating Officer, has played a vital role in Agoda's growth since joining in 2014. John Brown, who has been CEO since 2018, is now Chairperson of Agoda. Booking Holdings' CEO, Glenn Fogel, expressed confidence in Morgenshtern's leadership, emphasizing his significant contributions to the company. This leadership transition is expected to sustain Agoda's momentum in the competitive online travel sector.

Booking Holdings (BKNG) will host a conference call on May 4, 2022, at 4:30 p.m. ET to discuss its Q1 2022 financial results. The event will be webcasted and available for replay on the Investor Relations website for a week post-event. A financial results release will also be posted on the company's website at 4:00 p.m. ET the same day.

Agoda reports a sharp increase in searches for Bali following Indonesia's reopening to international travelers on April 5, 2022. Bali emerged as the top destination in Indonesia, ranking third in Asia, with Australia leading international searches at a 220% increase, followed by Singapore at 200%. Key searched locations include Kuta and Ubud, reflecting diverse tourist interests. The new quarantine-free travel guidelines allow fully vaccinated visitors to enter Indonesia while presenting a negative PCR test. 42 countries are eligible for Visa on Arrival in Bali, boosting tourism prospects.

Agoda's recent data reveal that Thailand has emerged as the most searched travel destination globally, with a staggering 500% increase in interest from January to March 2022. The top three origins for travelers are Japan, United States, and Singapore. To facilitate bookings, Agoda collaborates with the Thailand Pass application, aiding in quick data uploads and reducing delays. This integration aims to enhance the travel experience as international tourism rebounds, with travelers eager to explore popular locations like Phuket and Bangkok.