Is Booking.com turning into an OTA?

Shocked and surprised boy on the internet with laptop computer concept for amazement, astonishment, making a mistake, stunned and speechless or seeing something he shouldn't see

Booking.com appears to be expanding beyond its speciality in hotel bookings into the realm of becoming a full-fledged online travel agency.

Skift reports that over the last few months the site has been experimenting with flight-hotel packages with the option of adding-on airport taxis and other services, as well as revamping its loyalty program.

So far, the new features have been tested on select users across the US, France, Poland and Turkey.

The select users have had access to tabs on the website labelled “Flight + Hotel”, “Vacations”, or “Packages”.

The site initially broke with its hotels focus late last year when its homepage began to feature flights from Kayak, car rentals and even restaurant reservations, all of which came from sister brands of parent company Booking Holdings.

But its new foray into packages suggests the company may soon be looking to make its own direct connections with airlines and tour providers.

However, Skift reports the expansion would almost certainly carry risks, with its accommodation focus allowing it to be more profitable and have more effective marketing than its competitors.

The changes come as competitor Airbnb up the anti, waging an open warfare on Booking.com and Expedia through an open letter to boutique hotel and Bed and breakfast owners.

The letter begins by attacking the fees charged by “travel agents like Expedia and Booking”.

Booking.com has already established its desire to compete with Airbnb by stepping up its alternative accommodation push and adding short-term rentals to the whole home vacation properties it’s already pushing.


Do you have something to say on this? Get in touch with Travel Weekly Editors here to share your thoughts.

Latest News

  • Destinations
  • News

APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures

APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]

  • Cruise
  • Luxury
  • News

Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit

Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]

  • Luxury

Malolo Island Resort opens brand new Spa

Fiji’s Malolo Island has added another string to its bow – opening its $1.3 million day spa on Thursday, 18th April 2024. (Lead Image: matriarch Rosie Whitton with spa staff) Located at the edge of the resort’s luscious patch of tropical rainforest, the new “Leilani’s Spa” adds another level of elevated experiences to Malolo’s already […]