Kayak / OpenTable

Kayak and OpenTable, both brands under Booking Holdings, laid off 80 employees. The layoffs were part of a broader restructuring effort within the parent company, reflecting ongoing adjustments in the online travel and restaurant reservation industry. While the exact percentage of the workforce affected and the total employee count were not specified, the move highlights the competitive and evolving nature of the travel tech sector. The announcement was made recently, as reported by Skift, indicating a strategic shift to streamline operations and focus on core business priorities amid market challenges.

Kayak and OpenTable, both owned by Booking Holdings, have implemented workforce reductions affecting 400 employees through layoffs, furloughs, or reduced hours. This action, announced by CEO Steve Hafner in an email on Wednesday, is a direct response to a severe revenue decline caused by the coronavirus pandemic. These cuts mark the first significant reported layoffs within Booking Holdings related to the crisis, aside from earlier contractor non-renewals at Booking.com. As the travel industry faces widespread challenges, further reductions across other Booking brands may follow.