The tourism booking business refers to the industry of intermediation between tourists and providers of tourism services such as hotels, flights, tours, car rentals, among others. This industry encompasses the creation of online platforms where users can book and pay for these services easily and safely.
Some of the largest tourism booking agencies in the world are Booking.com, Expedia, Airbnb, TripAdvisor, and Agoda. These companies have built successful platforms that connect millions of travelers with accommodation options and activities around the world.
The leaders in hotel bookings are typically Booking.com, Expedia, and Airbnb. These companies generate millions of hotel bookings per year and have been instrumental in the digital transformation of the tourism industry.
As for the profits of these companies, they vary depending on their size and scope. For example, Booking Holdings (owner of brands like Booking.com, Agoda, and Kayak) reported revenues of over $15 billion in 2019. Expedia Group, meanwhile, generated around $12 billion in revenue that same year.
The travel booking sector is extremely lucrative and constantly growing, with an estimated value of over $1.6 trillion in 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted this industry, but it is expected to recover as the situation normalizes and travel demand increases again.