Booking Holdings - BKNG STOCK NEWS

The travel search engine KAYAK analyzed billions of search queries to reveal evolving American travel habits across states. The State Travel Superlatives report highlights significant behavioral trends, such as Alaskans seeking long-term stays (15%) and Texans showing the least interest (3%). Notably, Louisiana saw a 38% increase in searches since pre-COVID, while Maryland experienced a 15% decrease. The report reflects diverse preferences, from last-minute bookings in Nevada to business travel in New York, showcasing how Americans are adapting their travel choices.

The National Restaurant Association reports the restaurant industry is 1 million jobs short of pre-pandemic levels. In response, Indeed and OpenTable have launched Interview Days: Restaurant Jobs, a month-long hiring initiative starting October 1. This initiative aims to support recovery in the food service sector by providing free hiring tools and resources for both employers and job seekers. Notably, job postings in food preparation roles have risen by 39.9% since February 2020, highlighting the urgency to fill these positions to meet consumer demand.

Priceline highlights an uptick in travel demand across major U.S. cities, especially in the Northeast, as people embrace flexible work schedules. Hotel rates are rising, with averages up by 5% compared to 2019, while airfare remains down 15%. Package deals for hotels and flights are particularly appealing, with prices dropping by 10%. Miami, Orlando, and Phoenix show the greatest interest among travelers. Key cities for travel include New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington, D.C., and San Francisco, with significant savings available through bundled bookings.

Uplift and KAYAK have expanded their partnership to enhance payment flexibility for travelers. Starting this fall, KAYAK users can utilize Uplift's Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) solution to pay for select flights in interest-free monthly installments. This update includes a lower minimum transaction amount of $100 and $0 down at booking. The offer will be available across all KAYAK booking channels, allowing travelers to budget effectively. Uplift collaborates with over 200 top travel brands to provide flexible payment options.

OpenTable, a leader in online restaurant bookings, partners with CLEAR to streamline proof of vaccination for diners. This collaboration allows users to easily show their vaccination status at restaurants requiring it, enhancing safety as the Delta variant spreads. Launching in September, the feature integrates with OpenTable's app, linking diners to CLEAR's digital vaccine card, which securely verifies vaccination status. OpenTable has already helped over 135 million diners during the pandemic, implementing new safety and operational features for restaurants.

Priceline reports that 65% of Americans plan to use more PTO in 2021, prompting the launch of the End of Summer Sale from August 23 to September 12. This sale features discounts up to $50 off on hotels, flights, and rental cars, with additional perks for Priceline Email Insiders. Popular destinations for Labor Day include Las Vegas, Atlanta, and Chicago. To maximize savings, travelers are encouraged to book rental cars in advance and utilize any remaining travel credits from postponed trips.

Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: BKNG) announced on August 9, 2021, that it will settle its 0.90% Convertible Senior Notes due in September 2021 completely in cash. This decision means that in any conversion of these notes on or after June 15, 2021, the company will pay cash instead of providing shares to bondholders. This move emphasizes the company's liquidity strategy while managing its capital structure.

OpenTable, part of Booking Holdings (BKNG), has introduced new safety features to assist restaurants and diners amid evolving COVID-19 regulations. These include updated safety precautions highlighting vaccine requirements and a Direct Messaging feature for seamless communication. Dining demand has fallen 13% in the U.S. as of August 2021 due to the Delta variant and changing mandates. Over 1,500 restaurants are already using Direct Messaging to address safety inquiries. OpenTable continues to expand its tools to support restaurants and enhance consumer confidence.