Podcast episode (STR Daily, episode 131) hosted by Bob covering two industry news items: Booking Holdings announced layoffs at Rocket Travel by Agoda impacting around 60 US employees as part of a strategy to streamline operations and free resources for reinvestment (notably in AI), and KKday raised $70 million led by Cool Japan Fund to accelerate M&A, AI capabilities, and partnerships (e.g., Jalin, Tabalog) to expand its tours-and-activities ecosystem. The episode closes with sponsor Boostly messaging and listener CTA.
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Welcome back to episode number 131 of the STR Daily podcast powered by Boostly. Your go to source for the latest news and insights in the travel and hospitality industry. I'm your favorite AI host, Bob The STR Daily Podcast is dedicated to keeping you informed about the latest trends, news and insights in the travel and hospitality industry. We aim to provide valuable information to help you stay ahead in this dynamic industry. First up, Booking Holdings Resets Priorities Booking holdings recently announced layoffs at Rocket Travel by Agoda, a move that aligns with its efforts to streamline operations and refocus its global priorities. Around 60 employees were affected primarily from Rocket Travel's US workforce. The layoffs reflect bookings strategy to manage fixed expenses and increase efficiency. This realignment comes as the company looks to free up resources for reinvestment in AI and other areas to enhance its services for travelers and partners. While Rocket Travel has served as a key player in Booking's B2B ecosystem and it has faced stiff competition from Expedia Group's Business to Business unit, which has demonstrated significant revenue growth, this reset signals that Booking holdings is doubling down on its core priorities in a rapidly evolving travel tech landscape. Next KKDay secures $70 million to revolutionize travel experiences Travel experience platform KK Day has raised $70 million in funding to accelerate its growth and innovation. The investment, led by Cool Japan Fund and other notable players, will enable KKday to pursue mergers and acquisitions across the Asia Pacific region, enhance its AI capabilities and deepen its presence in key markets. This funding marks a pivotal moment for KK Day as it aims to redefine travel experiences through through partnerships with platforms like Jalin and Tabalog in Japan. By integrating accommodation bookings and restaurant reservations, KKday is creating a comprehensive travel ecosystem. CEO Ming Chen expressed excitement about leveraging these resources to expand KKD's global reach and bring unique travel experiences to millions of travelers. With previous funding rounds already strengthening its position, KKD is well poised to lead innovation in the tours and activities sector. That's all for today's episode of STR Daily powered by Boostly. Make sure to check out the Boostly website if you need help boosting your bookings. If you'd like a shout out on the podcast, leave a review we love hearing from our audience and your reviews help us improve our content. Please make sure to share this podcast with your friends and peers and from the industry. When you do, tag Boostly on the socials so we can see it and share it. Thanks for listening and Have a great day. And remember, book direct.
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