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{{short description|Singaporean online travel agency}}
{{Use Singapore English|date=October 2021}}
{{Infobox website
{{Infobox website
|name = Agoda.com
| name = Agoda Company Pte.
|logo =
| logo = Agoda logo 2019.svg
| logo_size = 200px
[[File:Agoda logo.png|frameless]]
| logo_caption =
|collapsedtext =
| company_type = [[Subsidiary]]
|caption =
| founded = [[Singapore]] in {{start date and age|2005}}
|url = [http://www.agoda.com Agoda.com]
| type = Travel and accommodation
|slogan = smarter hotel booking
| location = [[Singapore]]
|commercial = Yes
| area_served = Global
|type = Booking service
| founder = Robert Rosenstein (co-founder)<br/>Michael Kenny (co-founder)
|registration =
| key_people = Omri Morgenshtern ([[Chief executive officer|CEO]])<br/>John Wroughton Brown ([[Chairman]])<br/>Idan Zalzberg ([[Chief technology officer|CTO]]) <br/>Damien Pfirsch ([[Chief commercial officer|CCO]])<br/>Thi-Mai-Linh Bui ([[Chief financial officer|CFO]])
|language =
| products = [[Travel agency]]<br/>[[Metasearch engine]]
|content_license =
| parent = [[Booking Holdings]]
|owner = [[Priceline.com]]
| homepage = {{URL|https://www.agoda.com/}}
|author =
|launch_date = 1998
|alexa =
|accessdate=
|current_status = Online
}}
}}


'''Agoda.com''' is an online [[travel agency]] catering to customers around the world, registered and headquarters in Singapore with operations in Bangkok, Thailand.<ref name="10K">{{cite web |date=February 23, 2023 |title=Booking Holdings 2022 Annual Report Form (10-K) |url=https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1075531/000107553123000016/bkng-20221231.htm |publisher=[[U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission]]}}</ref> Agoda facilitates reservations for accommodation, flights, ground transportation, and activities. It is a subsidiary of [[Booking Holdings]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=7 June 2021 |title=Book a date |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2127959/book-a-date |work=[[Bangkok Post]]}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=MENZE |first=JILL |date=December 9, 2021 |title=Agoda launches Beds Network to help hotels distribute wholesale rates |url=https://www.phocuswire.com/agoda-launches-beds-network-to-help-hotels-distribute-wholesale-rates |work=PhocusWire}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=O'Neill |first=Sean |date=May 9, 2018 |title=Agoda Names New CEO as It Aims to Go Global |url=https://skift.com/2018/05/09/agoda-names-new-ceo-as-it-aims-to-go-global/ |work=[[Skift]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Peltier |first=Dan |date=September 21, 2018 |title=Booking Holdings' Agoda Takes a Distinctive Approach on Short-Term Rentals |url=https://skift.com/2018/09/21/agoda-homes-short-term-rentals/ |work=[[Skift]]}}</ref>
'''Agoda.com''' is an Online Travel Agency (OTA) that specializes in hotels, especially those in Asia. It is headquartered in [[Singapore]], with major operations in [[Bangkok]], [[Kuala Lumpur]], [[Tokyo]], [[Sydney]], [[Hong Kong]] and [[Budapest]], with additional support offices in major cities across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas.


==History==
==History==
Agoda was co-founded in [[Phuket]] in 2005 by school friends Michael Kenny and Robert Rosenstein. Kenny had previously launched PlanetHoliday.com and PrecisionReservations.com, which were incorporated into Agoda.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/363111/boom-at-the-inn | title=Boom at the inn | first=Nithi | last=Kaveevivitchai | work=[[Bangkok Post]] | date=August 5, 2013}}</ref>
The company was founded in the late 1990s in [[Phuket (city)]], Thailand under the name PlanetHoliday.com with the idea to tap into the then-burgeoning growth of internet [[search engines]] to provide consumers with hotel and travel information. In 2003 PrecisionReservations.com was added as a partner, and in 2005 both companies were combined under Agoda Company Pte. Ltd, registered in [[Singapore]].


In 2007, Agoda was acquired by [[Booking Holdings]], formerly The Priceline Group.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSIN20071108160105PCLN20071108 | title=Priceline.com acquires asian online hotel reservation service co Agoda | work=[[Reuters]] | date=November 9, 2007}}</ref>
==Acquisition==
In November 2007, the company was acquired by [[Priceline.com]] (Nasdaq:PCLN), becoming the third international acquisition for the world’s largest online retailer of hotel rooms.<ref>http://www.reuters.com/article/2007/11/08/idUSIN20071108160105PCLN20071108</ref> As of mid-2013, the company offers access to more than 285,000 hotels with over 1,200 employees worldwide representing over 20 countries. Its website is available in 38 languages including Chinese (Traditional & Simplified), English, French, German, Spanish, Japanese, Russian, Korean and Thai.


Agoda launched [[iOS]] and [[Android (operating system)|Android]] mobile apps in July 2011.<ref>{{cite news | last=Schaal|first=Dennis |date=July 15, 2011 |title=Agoda debuts iPhone app with lots of Asia hotels |work=Phocuswire |url=https://www.phocuswire.com/Agoda-debuts-iPhone-app-with-lots-of-Asia-hotels}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=July 14, 2011|title=Agoda.com introduces new iPhone app |work=Breaking Travel News| url=https://www.breakingtravelnews.com/news/article/agoda.com-introduces-new-iphone-app/}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=September 10, 2011 |title=agoda.com launches Android app for easy mobile hotel booking |work=Breaking Travel News |url=https://www.breakingtravelnews.com/news/article/agoda.com-launches-android-app-for-easy-mobile-hotel-booking/}}</ref>
==Operation==
Agoda.com guarantees the lowest price on hotel rooms, and will match or beat the price if a customer proves they can find the same room elsewhere at a lower price. The site also has nearly 5 million customer reviews which are unedited. Customer service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year in 17 languages via email or telephone.


After Booking Holdings acquired Israel-based startup Qlika in 2014, the Qlika team joined Agoda to automate and scale its marketing systems.<ref name=Expansion>{{cite news |last=Empson| first=Rip |date=March 11, 2014| title=Priceline Buys Israel's Qlika For $15-20M To Boost Global Expansion With Rocket Science-Powered Ad Tech |work=[[TechCrunch]] |url=https://techcrunch.com/2014/03/11/priceline-buys-israels-qlika-for-15-20m-to-boost-global-expansion-with-rocket-science-powered-ad-tech/}}</ref> In November 2014, the company opened a research center in [[Tel Aviv]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Shamah | first=David | title=Priceline hotel site seeks big data expertise in israel | url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/priceline-hotel-site-seeks-big-data-expertise-in-israel/ |publisher=[[Times of Israel]] | date=21 November 2014}}</ref>
Agoda.com also has mobile apps for both iOS<ref>http://www.breakingtravelnews.com/news/article/agoda.com-makes-mobile-booking-even-easier-with-its-app-for-ipad/</ref> and Android<ref>http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/agoda-com-Launches-Android-App-For-Easy-Mobile-2307541.php</ref> platforms, which offer the full functionality of the website.


In May 2016, Booking Holdings acquired Taipei-based startup WooMoo, the creator of POP, a mobile app that focused on prototyping. Its team relocated to Bangkok.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/05/24/taipei-based-startup-woomoo-acqui-hired-by-priceline/ |last=Shu | first=Catherine |title=Taipei-based startup Woomoo acqui-hired by Priceline |work=[[TechCrunch]] | date=May 24, 2016}}</ref><ref name=Expansion/>
==Awards==
Agoda.com won the Best Accommodation Site category in the Travelmole Web Awards Asia for 2008 and 2012.<ref>http://www.travelmole.com/awards.php?cmd=loadp&program_select=5&c=setreg&region=4</ref>


In May 2018, CEO and co-founder Rob Rosenstein became the chairman of Agoda and a strategic advisor to Booking Holdings. John Wroughton Brown, the COO, was promoted as the new CEO of Agoda, with Chief Product Officer Omri Morgenshtern, who joined the company as part of the Qlika acquisition, named as the new COO.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://skift.com/2018/05/09/agoda-names-new-ceo-as-it-aims-to-go-global/ | title=Agoda Names New CEO as It Aims to Go Global | first=Sean | last=O'Neill | work=[[Skift]] | date=May 9, 2018}}</ref>
==Membership in Organizations==
Agoda.com has been a member of PATA ([[Pacific Asia Travel Association]]) since 2006.


In November 2018, Agoda launched airport transfers via a partnership with [[Mozio]].<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.mozio.com/move/mozio-group-launches-in-asia-with-agoda-ctrip-partnerships/ | title=Mozio Group Launches in Asia with Agoda, Ctrip Partnerships | first=David | last=Litwak | work=[[Mozio]] | date=November 24, 2018}}</ref>
==Footnotes==

{{reflist}}
In September 2019, Agoda launched a brand refresh including a new logo, custom font, and cartoon mascots called Agojis based on the circles in the logo.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Agoda unveils fresh look |url=https://www.travelweekly.com.au/article/agoda-unveils-fresh-look/ | work=Travel Weekly | date=September 19, 2019}}</ref>

In October 2019, flight bookings were introduced.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hamdi |first=Raini |title=Agoda Is Starting to Offer Flights to Take On Rivals in Asia |url=https://skift.com/2019/10/18/agoda-is-starting-to-offer-flights-to-take-on-rivals-in-asia/ | work=[[Skift]] | date=October 18, 2018}}</ref>

In November 2019, Agoda launched B2B products including a white-label platform.<ref>{{Cite press release | title=Agoda Enhances Traveler Experience With New Capabilities and Offering For B2B2C Partners | url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20191111005163/en/Agoda-Enhances-Traveler-Experience-With-New-Capabilities-and-Offering-For-B2B2C-Partners | publisher=[[Business Wire]] |date=November 11, 2019}}</ref>

In May 2020, Agoda announced the layoffs of 1,500 people due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite news | last=Hamdi |first=Raini |title=Booking's Agoda Cuts 1,500 Workers in Asia | url=https://skift.com/2020/05/18/bookings-agoda-cuts-1500-workers-in-asia/ | work=[[Skift]] |date=May 18, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220623171608/https://skift.com/2020/05/18/bookings-agoda-cuts-1500-workers-in-asia/ |archive-date=2022-06-23 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In June 2022, John Brown left the position of CEO, with then-Chief Product Officer Omri Morgenshtern becoming the new CEO.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Omri Morgenshtern appointed Agoda CEO |work=[[Globes (newspaper)|Globes]] |url=https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-omri-morgenshtern-appointed-agoda-ceo-1001409689 |date=April 19, 2022}}</ref>

==Controversies and legal issues==
In April 2017, the Tourism Minister of Thailand called for Agoda among others to drop illegal and unregistered hotels.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.thephuketnews.com/tourism-minister-calls-on-agoda-otas-told-to-drop-illegal-hotels-61601.php | title=Tourism Minister calls on Agoda, OTAs told to drop illegal hotels | work=[[The Phuket News]] | date=April 1, 2017}}</ref> Agoda was the primary company criticized, and its success is part of what led the Ministry of Tourism & Sports to create a competitive hotel booking website.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-news-ministry-to-take-on-big-hotel-booking-sites-41972.php | title=Phuket News: Ministry to take on big hotel booking sites | work=[[The Phuket News]] | date=September 18, 2013}}</ref> In 2018, Agoda cooperated with the Taipei City Government's request to remove illegal and unregistered Taipei hotels from its listings.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3455434 | title=Online reservation site Agoda to remove illegal Taipei hotels | work=[[Taiwan News]] | last=Strong | first=Matthew | date=June 12, 2018}}</ref> Agoda faced legal action from the Turkish Travel Agencies Association due to alleged unfair competition.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.dailysabah.com/tourism/2018/08/10/tourism-body-to-start-legal-action-against-20-booking-portals | title=Tourism body to start legal action against 20 booking portals | work=[[Daily Sabah]] | date=September 8, 2018}}</ref> It faced a potential ban as part of this lawsuit.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://news.gtp.gr/2018/08/14/turkey-looking-ban-20-travel-booking-sites/ | title=Turkey Looking to Ban 20 Travel Booking Sites | work=GTP Headlines | date=August 14, 2018}}</ref>

In October 2017, Agoda, among other hotel sites, was subject to a probe by the [[Competition and Markets Authority]] in the United Kingdom. The probe was related to "concerns about hidden charges, pressure selling tactics, misleading discount claims and the order in which results appear on the site pages." Agoda agreed to change how it operates in response to this probe.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://news.sky.com/story/hotel-booking-sites-agree-to-stop-misleading-discount-claims-11629418 | title=Six hotel sites agree to stop 'misleading' tactics and hidden charges | work=[[Sky News]] | date=June 2, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/hotel-booking-websites-investigation-selling-practices-bookingcom-expedia-agoda-hotelscom-trivago-a8022551.html | title=HOTEL Booking Websites Face Investigation into Selling Practices | work=[[The Independent]] | last=Calder | first=Simon | date=October 27, 2017}}</ref>

In December 2017, Agoda initially refused to give a refund to a customer that booked a non-existent hotel. Agoda eventually paid a refund following a fraud complaint filed with the Thai government.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/crimecourtscalamity/crime-crime/2017/12/07/woman-blames-bad-click-150000-bangkok-hotel-bill-story-got-weirder/ | title=WOMAN BLAMES BAD CLICK FOR 150,000B BANGKOK HOTEL BILL. THEN HER STORY GOT WEIRDER. | first=Chayanit | last=Itthipongmaetee | work=[[Khaosod]] | date=December 7, 2017}}</ref>

In 2019, Agoda was criticized for difficulties with customers removing their homes from the website. The customers cited customer service issues.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://skift.com/2019/07/11/agoda-dubbed-hotel-california-in-asia-as-hotel-suppliers-say-they-can-never-leave/ | title=Agoda Dubbed 'Hotel California' in Asia as Hotel Suppliers Say They Can Never Leave | work=[[Skift]] | last=Hamdi | first=Raini | date=July 11, 2019}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.agoda.com Agoda's official website]
* {{Official website|https://www.agoda.com/}}

* [http://www.priceline.com Priceline's official website]
{{Portalbar|Singapore|Companies}}
* [http://www.travelmole.com Travelmole's official website]
{{Booking Holdings}}
* [http://www.hotels-in-vietnam.com Online Hotel Booking's official website]
{{Travel ticket search engines}}
* [http://reviews.gethuman.com/ratings/Agoda/ Independent Customer Rating about Agoda]
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Agoda}}
[[Category:Travel and holiday companies]]
[[Category:Travel agencies]]
[[Category:2007 mergers and acquisitions]]
[[Category:Online companies|Travel agencies]]
[[Category:Booking Holdings]]
[[Category:Travel websites]]
[[Category:Hospitality companies of Singapore]]
[[Category:Internet properties established in 2003]]
[[Category:Online travel agencies]]
[[Category:Singaporean brands]]
[[Category:Singaporean travel websites]]
[[Category:Transport companies established in 2003]]

Latest revision as of 12:27, 28 November 2024

Agoda Company Pte.
Type of businessSubsidiary
Type of site
Travel and accommodation
FoundedSingapore in 2005; 19 years ago (2005)
HeadquartersSingapore
Area servedGlobal
Founder(s)Robert Rosenstein (co-founder)
Michael Kenny (co-founder)
Key peopleOmri Morgenshtern (CEO)
John Wroughton Brown (Chairman)
Idan Zalzberg (CTO)
Damien Pfirsch (CCO)
Thi-Mai-Linh Bui (CFO)
ProductsTravel agency
Metasearch engine
ParentBooking Holdings
URLwww.agoda.com

Agoda.com is an online travel agency catering to customers around the world, registered and headquarters in Singapore with operations in Bangkok, Thailand.[1] Agoda facilitates reservations for accommodation, flights, ground transportation, and activities. It is a subsidiary of Booking Holdings.[2][3][4][5]

History

[edit]

Agoda was co-founded in Phuket in 2005 by school friends Michael Kenny and Robert Rosenstein. Kenny had previously launched PlanetHoliday.com and PrecisionReservations.com, which were incorporated into Agoda.[6]

In 2007, Agoda was acquired by Booking Holdings, formerly The Priceline Group.[7]

Agoda launched iOS and Android mobile apps in July 2011.[8][9][10]

After Booking Holdings acquired Israel-based startup Qlika in 2014, the Qlika team joined Agoda to automate and scale its marketing systems.[11] In November 2014, the company opened a research center in Tel Aviv.[12]

In May 2016, Booking Holdings acquired Taipei-based startup WooMoo, the creator of POP, a mobile app that focused on prototyping. Its team relocated to Bangkok.[13][11]

In May 2018, CEO and co-founder Rob Rosenstein became the chairman of Agoda and a strategic advisor to Booking Holdings. John Wroughton Brown, the COO, was promoted as the new CEO of Agoda, with Chief Product Officer Omri Morgenshtern, who joined the company as part of the Qlika acquisition, named as the new COO.[14]

In November 2018, Agoda launched airport transfers via a partnership with Mozio.[15]

In September 2019, Agoda launched a brand refresh including a new logo, custom font, and cartoon mascots called Agojis based on the circles in the logo.[16]

In October 2019, flight bookings were introduced.[17]

In November 2019, Agoda launched B2B products including a white-label platform.[18]

In May 2020, Agoda announced the layoffs of 1,500 people due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[19]

In June 2022, John Brown left the position of CEO, with then-Chief Product Officer Omri Morgenshtern becoming the new CEO.[20]

[edit]

In April 2017, the Tourism Minister of Thailand called for Agoda among others to drop illegal and unregistered hotels.[21] Agoda was the primary company criticized, and its success is part of what led the Ministry of Tourism & Sports to create a competitive hotel booking website.[22] In 2018, Agoda cooperated with the Taipei City Government's request to remove illegal and unregistered Taipei hotels from its listings.[23] Agoda faced legal action from the Turkish Travel Agencies Association due to alleged unfair competition.[24] It faced a potential ban as part of this lawsuit.[25]

In October 2017, Agoda, among other hotel sites, was subject to a probe by the Competition and Markets Authority in the United Kingdom. The probe was related to "concerns about hidden charges, pressure selling tactics, misleading discount claims and the order in which results appear on the site pages." Agoda agreed to change how it operates in response to this probe.[26][27]

In December 2017, Agoda initially refused to give a refund to a customer that booked a non-existent hotel. Agoda eventually paid a refund following a fraud complaint filed with the Thai government.[28]

In 2019, Agoda was criticized for difficulties with customers removing their homes from the website. The customers cited customer service issues.[29]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Booking Holdings 2022 Annual Report Form (10-K)". U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. February 23, 2023.
  2. ^ "Book a date". Bangkok Post. 7 June 2021.
  3. ^ MENZE, JILL (December 9, 2021). "Agoda launches Beds Network to help hotels distribute wholesale rates". PhocusWire.
  4. ^ O'Neill, Sean (May 9, 2018). "Agoda Names New CEO as It Aims to Go Global". Skift.
  5. ^ Peltier, Dan (September 21, 2018). "Booking Holdings' Agoda Takes a Distinctive Approach on Short-Term Rentals". Skift.
  6. ^ Kaveevivitchai, Nithi (August 5, 2013). "Boom at the inn". Bangkok Post.
  7. ^ "Priceline.com acquires asian online hotel reservation service co Agoda". Reuters. November 9, 2007.
  8. ^ Schaal, Dennis (July 15, 2011). "Agoda debuts iPhone app with lots of Asia hotels". Phocuswire.
  9. ^ "Agoda.com introduces new iPhone app". Breaking Travel News. July 14, 2011.
  10. ^ "agoda.com launches Android app for easy mobile hotel booking". Breaking Travel News. September 10, 2011.
  11. ^ a b Empson, Rip (March 11, 2014). "Priceline Buys Israel's Qlika For $15-20M To Boost Global Expansion With Rocket Science-Powered Ad Tech". TechCrunch.
  12. ^ Shamah, David (21 November 2014). "Priceline hotel site seeks big data expertise in israel". Times of Israel.
  13. ^ Shu, Catherine (May 24, 2016). "Taipei-based startup Woomoo acqui-hired by Priceline". TechCrunch.
  14. ^ O'Neill, Sean (May 9, 2018). "Agoda Names New CEO as It Aims to Go Global". Skift.
  15. ^ Litwak, David (November 24, 2018). "Mozio Group Launches in Asia with Agoda, Ctrip Partnerships". Mozio.
  16. ^ "Agoda unveils fresh look". Travel Weekly. September 19, 2019.
  17. ^ Hamdi, Raini (October 18, 2018). "Agoda Is Starting to Offer Flights to Take On Rivals in Asia". Skift.
  18. ^ "Agoda Enhances Traveler Experience With New Capabilities and Offering For B2B2C Partners" (Press release). Business Wire. November 11, 2019.
  19. ^ Hamdi, Raini (May 18, 2020). "Booking's Agoda Cuts 1,500 Workers in Asia". Skift. Archived from the original on 2022-06-23.
  20. ^ "Omri Morgenshtern appointed Agoda CEO". Globes. April 19, 2022.
  21. ^ "Tourism Minister calls on Agoda, OTAs told to drop illegal hotels". The Phuket News. April 1, 2017.
  22. ^ "Phuket News: Ministry to take on big hotel booking sites". The Phuket News. September 18, 2013.
  23. ^ Strong, Matthew (June 12, 2018). "Online reservation site Agoda to remove illegal Taipei hotels". Taiwan News.
  24. ^ "Tourism body to start legal action against 20 booking portals". Daily Sabah. September 8, 2018.
  25. ^ "Turkey Looking to Ban 20 Travel Booking Sites". GTP Headlines. August 14, 2018.
  26. ^ "Six hotel sites agree to stop 'misleading' tactics and hidden charges". Sky News. June 2, 2019.
  27. ^ Calder, Simon (October 27, 2017). "HOTEL Booking Websites Face Investigation into Selling Practices". The Independent.
  28. ^ Itthipongmaetee, Chayanit (December 7, 2017). "WOMAN BLAMES BAD CLICK FOR 150,000B BANGKOK HOTEL BILL. THEN HER STORY GOT WEIRDER". Khaosod.
  29. ^ Hamdi, Raini (July 11, 2019). "Agoda Dubbed 'Hotel California' in Asia as Hotel Suppliers Say They Can Never Leave". Skift.
[edit]
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