ChatGPT launches travel apps with Expedia and Booking.com
US: OpenAI has launched third-party apps within ChatGPT, starting with travel giants Expedia and Booking.com, allowing users to research and book trips directly through the chatbot. The move follows the launch of OpenAI’s new Apps SDK (software development kit), which enables developers to create integrated experiences within ChatGPT. The feature opens ChatGPT’s 800-million-strong user base […]
Booking.com to add 150,000 attractions through FareHarbor integration
US: Booking.com has announced the integration of FareHarbor, a tours and activities software provider, in a move that will add more than 150,000 new attractions to its platform. The attractions will be introduced incrementally via the FareHarbor Distribution Network across thousands of destinations, significantly expanding the range of experiences available to Booking.com customers. New additions […]
TikTok and Booking.com partner to enable in-app bookings
US: TikTok and Booking.com have launched a partnership that allows US users to book hotels directly within the TikTok app.
Airbnb adopts single service fee, poised to compete with OTAs
US: Airbnb is transitioning most hosts using PMS to a single service fee structure next month, signalling a move toward competing with PMS
Over 10,000 European hotels join legal action against Booking.com
Europe: More than 10,000 hotels across Europe have joined the collective legal action against OTA Booking.com, expanding on a case first reported in June. The claim challenges the platform’s long-standing “best price” clause, also known as a Platform Most Favoured Nation (PMFN) clause, which required accommodation providers to display the same or lower rates on […]
PriceLabs secures Booking.com Connectivity Partner status
US: Dynamic pricing and revenue management solution provider, Pricelabs, has been certified as an official Booking.com Connectivity Partner and introduced a direct integration to simplify pricing automation for short-term rental property managers. The revenue management and market data platform, which supports pricing for more than 500,000 accommodation listings globally, said the integration will enable users to […]
European hoteliers file collective action against Booking.com
A group of more than 25 national hotel associations across Europe has filed collective legal action against Booking.com in the Netherlands. The lawsuit challenges the platform’s use of price parity clauses,
Lighthouse launches Lighthouse Data Solutions DaaS platform
UK: Market intelligence platform Lighthouse has launched Lighthouse Data Solutions, a data-as-a-service (DaaS) platform designed for travel and hospitality businesses.
Expedia Group confirms restructuring and further layoffs
US: Expedia Group has confirmed it is restructuring parts of its organisation, a move that is expected to involve further layoffs.
Crackdown begins on unlicensed rentals in Romania
Romania: Romanian authorities are cracking down on individuals who have earned income from renting out properties via short-stay booking platforms but who are alleged to have not declared their potential earnings.