Booking Holdings Inc. - BKNG STOCK NEWS

Priceline has unveiled Penny Voice, an innovative AI-powered travel assistant that integrates OpenAI's Realtime API and Voice Engine. This groundbreaking feature allows users to plan and book travel through natural, conversational interactions. Penny Voice can understand complex queries, anticipate needs, and respond in real-time voice, making travel planning as simple as having a conversation.

The technology combines voice recognition, natural language processing, and machine learning, including Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG). Priceline conducted extensive auditions to select Penny's unique voice. Initially available for hotel searches on Priceline's iOS app and website, Penny Voice will soon expand to include flights, rental cars, and vacation packages.

PolyAI, a voice AI solutions provider, has partnered with OpenTable to offer enterprise restaurants reservation support using voice AI. This collaboration aims to help restaurants tackle staffing challenges and provide consistent hospitality. Key points:

1. PolyAI's voice assistants will integrate with OpenTable's global network of restaurants.

2. The AI can book and manage reservations over the phone, during and outside operating hours.

3. Melting Pot, a fondue restaurant group, is an early adopter of this technology.

4. The integration can help restaurants resolve up to 70% of calls without additional staff.

5. OpenTable restaurants can request integration via the Integration Marketplace.

This partnership addresses the industry-wide staffing shortage and aims to enhance customer experience while maximizing revenue for restaurants.

Booking Holdings (NASDAQ: BKNG) has announced that its Chief Financial Officer, Ewout Steenbergen, will be speaking at the Goldman Sachs Communacopia & Technology Conference on September 9, 2024 at 10:50am PT. This event presents an opportunity for investors and analysts to gain insights into the company's financial strategies and outlook.

The presentation will be accessible to the public through a live audio cast on Booking Holdings' investor relations website. For those unable to attend or listen live, a replay will be available for six months following the event, ensuring wide access to the information shared during the conference.

KAYAK and OpenTable have launched a solo travel and dining guide ahead of September, one of the most popular months for solo adventures. The guide offers data-driven insights on top destinations and restaurants for solo travelers. Key findings include:

- 50% of Americans plan to travel alone this year, while 52% intend to dine solo
- Washington D.C. is the top U.S. destination for solo travel and dining
- Berlin ranks as the top international destination for U.S. solo travelers
- Solo hotel room searches are up 38% since 2019
- Solo diners spend 48% more per person compared to the average diner

The guide provides rankings of top destinations, restaurant recommendations, and expert tips to inspire and assist solo adventurers.

Sabre (NASDAQ: SABR) and Priceline have announced an expanded, multi-year distribution agreement aimed at driving innovation and delivering superior content to travelers. Under the new agreement, Priceline will adopt Sabre Direct Pay to support its travel payments needs, providing a more secure, automated, and integrated payment process. Additionally, Priceline will leverage Sabre's rich GDS content and shopping APIs to maintain its leadership in offering the best flight and package inventory to customers.

Matt Bell, Vice President of Flights at Priceline, emphasized the importance of access to broad air content in achieving their vision of providing customers with the best deals, inventory, and booking tools. Andy Finkelstein, Senior Vice President of Global Agency Sales at Sabre Travel Solutions, expressed pride in extending their long-term engagement with Priceline and excitement about evolving their relationship to enhance the travel marketplace.

Booking Holdings (NASDAQ: BKNG) has announced that its second quarter 2024 financial results will be released on Thursday, August 1, 2024, at approximately 4:00 p.m. ET. The results will be made available through a press release on the company's Investor Relations website. Following the release, Booking Holdings will host a conference call at 4:30 p.m. ET to discuss the financial results. Investors and interested parties can access the webcast of the conference call on the company's Investor Relations website. For those unable to attend the live event, audio replays will be available on the website for seven days after the call.

KAYAK for Business has updated its Enterprise solution in collaboration with Blockskye and PwC US, offering enhanced interoperability and eliminating employee expense reports. The new solution integrates airline APIs for seamless booking and introduces Blockskye Pay, a blockchain-based expense solution. Key benefits include:

1. Streamlined shopping experience for business travelers
2. Real-time tracking of employee travel and spend for companies
3. Incremental revenue opportunities for airlines through modern merchandising
4. Elimination of traditional expense reports

PwC US, KAYAK's first enterprise client, has been involved in developing the solution since 2022. The upgraded system is set to reshape how business travel is booked, serviced, and expenses are managed, providing benefits for travelers, companies, and airlines alike.

OpenTable has launched Icons, a new city-specific feature designed to highlight and facilitate bookings at the most sought-after restaurants. The platform curates top hot spots in each city, showing the earliest available reservations. To qualify as an OpenTable Icon, restaurants must meet criteria including recent MICHELIN stars, James Beard Foundation awards, positive reviews, celebrated chefs, and strong diner interest.

Icons is currently live with over 100 restaurants in 9 major cities across North America, including Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Miami, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Toronto, and Washington, D.C. Houston and New York City are set to join later this month. The feature aims to enhance the dining experience by simplifying the search for award-winning and in-demand restaurants.

OpenTable and Visa have announced a collaboration called the Visa Dining Collection, offering eligible Visa cardholders exclusive access to prime restaurant reservations and events across North America. The program launches in Los Angeles and Chicago, with plans to expand to over 500 restaurants in 34 cities by 2025.

Initially available to Visa Infinite® and Visa Infinite Privilege® cardholders, the collection includes a range of restaurants from MICHELIN-starred venues to local favorites. The initiative aims to reward diners while supporting restaurants by bringing in new customers. Cardholders can also access exclusive culinary events featuring noteworthy chefs.

Participating restaurants include acclaimed establishments like Rose Mary and Virtue in Chicago, Bestia and Kato in Los Angeles, with more high-profile venues joining soon in cities like Miami, New York, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.