History
In 1996, Jay S. Walker founded the company in Stamford, Connecticut, which launched Priceline.com, an online travel site, that used a Name Your Own Price bidding model.[4]
In March 1999, the company became a public company via an initial public offering, making Walker, who owned a 35% stake in the company, a multi-billionaire.[5][4]
The company experimented with selling other products and services such as groceries, gasoline, home mortgages, and cars, but these offerings were discontinued in 2000.[6][7]
In July 2005, the company acquired Booking.com for $133 million and was merged with ActiveHotels.com, a European online hotel reservation company, purchased by Priceline Group for $161 million in September 2004.[8]
In April 2014, the name of the company was changed from priceline.com Incorporated to The Priceline Group Inc.[2]
In August 2017, Kayak acquired the assets of Mundi, a Brazilian metasearch company.[9][10]
In February 2018, the company changed its name to Booking Holdings.[11][12]
In 2021, the company offered to acquire GoToGate; however, the deal was blocked by European regulators in 2023.[13]
Management history
Jeffery H. Boyd was named chief executive officer in 2002 and remained in that role until becoming chairman in 2013.[14]
Effective January 2014, Darren Huston was named chief executive officer of the company, replacing Jeff Boyd.[15] In April 2016, Huston was forced to resign following an undisclosed personal relationship with an employee, and Boyd was named interim CEO.[16]
Effective January 2017, Glenn D. Fogel was named chief executive officer and president.[17]
