booking.com

Booking.com operates a travel marketplace where travelers can compare and book accommodation, flights, rental cars, attractions and ground transportation. Hotels and independent hosts use the platform to reach customers worldwide. Its recommendation systems help travelers discover stays using search preferences, previous interactions, availability and property performance.

Founded in Amsterdam in 1996 by Geert-Jan Bruinsma, the company is now led by CEO Glenn Fogel. Its engineering work includes controlled experimentation: a 2017 research paper described shared experiment results, reusable libraries separated from business logic, and transparent monitoring of data quality. These tools and safeguards let teams own experiments from start to finish while sharing what they learn.

Booking.com is part of Booking Holdings. Priceline completed its acquisition of Bookings B.V. in 2005 for €109 million, approximately $132 million, subject to post-closing adjustments. The accommodation business earns commissions from providers after stays and sells paid placements; it does not own the properties. For the first half of 2026, the company estimated well above 45 million EU monthly recipients under the Digital Services Act definition, including people shown information without booking.