For hotels, the platform remains a powerful distribution partner, but sector maturity tempers expansion
Sep 18, 2025
Booking Holdings has cemented its role as the leading intermediary between hotels and travelers, expanding beyond rooms into a “Connected Trip” ecosystem. For hoteliers, the company remains both a vital demand driver and a tough negotiator, but industry signals suggest that explosive post-pandemic growth is leveling into a more predictable, mature phase.
Key takeaways
- Accommodation is the engine: Nearly 90% of Booking’s revenue still comes from hotel bookings, with commissions through the agency and merchant models directly tied to room rates.
- Connected trip ecosystem: Booking’s bundling of flights, dining, and insurance reinforces its ability to capture the guest journey end-to-end — and keep hotels dependent on its reach.
- AI reshaping distribution: Proprietary AI tools and OpenAI partnerships promise smarter search and more personalized recommendations, influencing how travelers discover and book hotels.
- Consumer price sensitivity: Inflation pushes travelers toward midscale and budget options — segments where Booking’s comparison model gives it a competitive edge over direct channels.
- Strong guest loyalty: Guests default to Booking for trust and convenience, making it harder for hotels to shift bookings to their own channels.
- Steady but slower growth: While Booking remains profitable and resilient, the wider travel market is moving from rapid recovery into maturity, limiting outsized growth opportunities for hotels reliant on OTA demand.
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