If you’re an avid traveler or someone who enjoys the thrill of finding great deals on flights and hotels, you’ve probably heard of Momondo. This travel metasearch engine has become increasingly popular over the years, providing users with a wide range of travel options and helping them find the best deals. However, have you ever wondered who owns Momondo and what impact this has on the company? In this blog post, we’ll explore the history of Momondo, provide an overview of the company and its services, and discuss how Momondo’s acquisition by Booking Holdings Inc. has impacted the company’s future. By the end of this article, you’ll have a better understanding of who owns Momondo and what this means for the future of this innovative travel search engine.
Overview of Momondo
Momondo is a travel metasearch engine that was founded in 2006 by Danish entrepreneurs Thorvald Stigsen and Martin Lumbye. The website allows users to compare prices and find the best deals on flights, hotels, and car rentals. What sets Momondo apart from other travel search engines is its ability to search across multiple sites, including online travel agencies and airlines, to find the best deals for its users. The website has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to search for flights and hotels, and it also offers a range of filters and sorting options to help users refine their search results.
In addition to its web-based platform, Momondo also has a mobile app that users can download on their smartphones or tablets. The app offers many of the same features as the website, making it easy for users to search for and book their travel accommodations on the go. The app also allows users to save their search results and receive alerts when prices change, ensuring that they get the best deal possible.
Momondo’s website and mobile app are available in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, French, Italian, and German. This has helped the company attract a global user base, with users from over 30 countries around the world.
History of Momondo
Momondo was founded in 2006 by Thorvald Stigsen and Martin Lumbye, two Danish entrepreneurs who wanted to create a travel search engine that was more user-friendly than existing options. The website quickly gained popularity, thanks to its unique search capabilities and user-friendly interface.
In 2011, Momondo was acquired by Cheapflights Media, a UK-based travel search engine. This acquisition helped Momondo expand its reach and improve its search capabilities, allowing it to compete with other major players in the travel industry.
In 2017, Momondo was acquired by Booking Holdings Inc., a US-based company that owns other travel industry giants such as Booking.com, Agoda, and Kayak. The acquisition was part of Booking Holdings’ strategy to expand its presence in the travel metasearch market and provide users with a more comprehensive travel search experience.
Momondo’s Acquisition by Booking Holdings Inc.
In 2017, Momondo was acquired by Booking Holdings Inc. for $550 million. This acquisition was part of Booking Holdings’ strategy to expand its presence in the travel metasearch market and provide users with a more comprehensive travel search experience.
The acquisition of Momondo by Booking Holdings was a significant move for both companies. Momondo gained access to Booking Holdings’ vast network of travel companies, allowing it to expand its reach and improve its services. For Booking Holdings, the acquisition helped the company solidify its position in the travel metasearch market and provided it with a strong competitor to other major players in the industry such as Expedia and Priceline.
Despite the acquisition, Momondo still operates as a separate entity under the Booking Holdings umbrella. This has allowed Momondo to maintain its unique identity and user-friendly platform, while also benefiting from the resources and network of the larger company.
Since the acquisition, Momondo has continued to grow and expand its services. The company has launched a range of new features, including a travel inspiration section that provides users with ideas and recommendations for their next vacation, and a destination guide that offers detailed information on popular travel destinations around the world.
Additionally, Momondo has continued to expand its global reach, with a presence in over 30 countries and availability in multiple languages. The company has also invested in improving its mobile app, making it easier for users to search for and book travel accommodations on the go.
Who is Booking Holdings Inc.?
Booking Holdings Inc. is a leading online travel company that provides services to customers all around the world. The company was formerly known as Priceline Group and was renamed in 2018. Booking Holdings operates in over 220 countries and territories and owns some of the most popular travel brands, including Booking.com, Agoda, Kayak, and OpenTable.
The company was founded in 1997 and was one of the first online travel companies to offer discounted hotel bookings. Since then, Booking Holdings has expanded its services to include flights, car rentals, vacation packages, and more. The company’s success can be attributed to its innovative technology, user-friendly platforms, and extensive network of travel partners.
The Reasons behind the Acquisition
The acquisition of Momondo by Booking Holdings was part of the larger company’s strategy to expand its global reach and diversify its services. Booking Holdings has always been focused on providing customers with the best possible travel options, and acquiring Momondo was seen as a way to enhance that mission.
One of the key reasons behind the acquisition was Momondo’s innovative search technology. Momondo’s search engine was seen as a valuable addition to Booking Holdings’ portfolio, as it could help the company to improve its own search capabilities and provide users with more comprehensive and accurate search results.
Another reason for the acquisition was Momondo’s strong presence in Europe. Prior to the acquisition, Booking Holdings had been facing increased competition in Europe from local travel companies. By acquiring Momondo, Booking Holdings was able to expand its reach in the European market and establish itself as a leading player in the region.
The Impact of the Acquisition on Momondo
The acquisition of Momondo by Booking Holdings has had a significant impact on the travel search engine. While the company continues to operate as a separate entity, it has been able to leverage the resources and network of the larger company to enhance its services and expand its global reach.
One of the biggest impacts of the acquisition has been on Momondo’s search technology. Since joining the Booking Holdings family, Momondo has been able to improve its search capabilities and provide users with even more accurate and comprehensive search results. This has helped the company to maintain its position as a leading travel search engine and attract even more users to its platform.
The acquisition has also allowed Momondo to expand its global reach. With the backing of Booking Holdings, Momondo has been able to establish a presence in more countries and offer its services in multiple languages. This has helped the company to tap into new markets and attract users from all around the world.
Additionally, the acquisition has provided Momondo with access to Booking Holdings’ extensive network of travel partners. This has allowed Momondo to offer its users a wider range of travel options, including flights, car rentals, and vacation packages, all of which can be booked directly through the Momondo platform.
Competitors of Momondo
In the crowded travel search engine market, Momondo faces fierce competition from a number of other players. Some of the biggest competitors of Momondo include Expedia, Priceline, Kayak, Skyscanner, and Google Flights.
Expedia and Priceline are two of the largest online travel companies in the world and offer a range of travel services, including flights, hotels, car rentals, and vacation packages. Kayak, which is owned by Booking Holdings, is a popular travel search engine that offers a similar range of services to Momondo. Skyscanner is another leading travel search engine that allows users to compare prices across a wide range of airlines and travel providers. Google Flights is a relatively new entrant to the market but has quickly gained popularity thanks to its user-friendly interface and accurate search results.
Despite facing stiff competition, Momondo has managed to carve out a niche for itself in the travel industry. The company’s unique search capabilities and user-friendly interface have helped it to attract a loyal user base, and its commitment to providing users with the best possible travel options has helped it to stand out from the crowd.
Momondo’s Business Model
Momondo operates as a metasearch engine, meaning that it searches across a range of travel providers and airlines to provide users with the best possible prices and options for their travel needs. Unlike traditional online travel agencies, Momondo does not sell travel services directly to users. Instead, it acts as a platform that connects users with travel providers and allows them to book directly through the provider’s website.
Momondo earns revenue through affiliate marketing. When users click on a travel provider’s website through Momondo’s platform and make a booking, Momondo receives a commission from the provider. This business model allows Momondo to provide users with unbiased search results and a wide range of travel options, while also earning revenue through affiliate partnerships.
Another key part of Momondo’s business model is its commitment to transparency. The company is committed to providing users with clear and accurate information about prices, fees, and other travel-related details. This has helped the company to establish trust with its user base and attract even more users to its platform.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Momondo has become one of the most popular travel search engines in the world thanks to its unique search capabilities, user-friendly interface, and commitment to providing users with the best possible travel options. The company was founded in 2006 by two Danish entrepreneurs and has since been acquired by Cheapflights Media and Booking Holdings Inc.
Momondo’s acquisition by Booking Holdings has allowed the company to expand its services and global reach, while also benefiting from the resources and network of the larger company. Despite facing stiff competition from other travel search engines, Momondo has managed to carve out a niche for itself in the market and attract a loyal user base.
Overall, Momondo’s success can be attributed to its innovative platform, commitment to transparency, and dedication to providing users with the best possible travel options. With its continued expansion and focus on improving its services, Momondo is well-positioned to remain a leading player in the travel industry for years to come.