Booking Holdings, a leading global online travel company, has inaugurated its latest Center of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru, India, marking a significant investment in the region’s technology sector. This new center represents a $250 million investment over five years and aims to create 1,000 jobs in Bengaluru by the end of 2026. The CoE in Bengaluru will serve as a hub for specialized and highly skilled technology talent, supporting the company’s growth and its vision for the future of travel.
Randhir Bindra, General Manager of Booking Holdings India, emphasized the company’s mission to streamline the travel process through technology, stating that the Bengaluru center will accelerate innovation to transform the travel experience and meet the evolving needs of the business and customers. The center will initially focus on expanding capabilities in FinTech, Data Analytics, Engineering, Software Engineering, and Mobile Development, with further expansion in areas like Trust and Safety, Cybersecurity, and Professional Services expected in the coming year.
The center currently employs over 320 people across various capacities, supporting multiple Booking Holdings brands, including Booking.com’s FinTech and Trips divisions. The CoE is housed in a state-of-the-art 4,500 square meter space in the RMZ Ecoworld 30 building, near the Bellandur neighborhood of Bangalore. This facility boasts LEED Platinum pre-certification and features designed to promote sustainability, employee well-being, and a collaborative work environment.
The inauguration of the center was marked by a series of welcome events and a ribbon-cutting ceremony, attended by the Honorable Tourism Minister H.K. Patil and Mr. Navratan Katariya from Nasscom. The minister lauded the investment and anticipated the creation of 1,000 jobs by 2026, expressing confidence in the venture’s benefits to the state. Mr. Katariya highlighted Nasscom’s aim to foster an innovation ecosystem and the expected game-changing influence of centers like Booking Holdings’ in reshaping the technology and innovation landscape.
Booking Holdings’ commitment to its employees extends beyond the physical work environment. The company is dedicated to career learning and development, diversity, equity, inclusion, mental health support, and providing a comprehensive range of competitive benefits. The Center of Excellence offers a flexible and inclusive workplace that enhances connection and collaboration, with its design drawing inspiration from cultures worldwide, reflecting the company’s heritage in travel.