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PALO ALTO - OpenTable, a global restaurant technology platform, and VOICEplug AI announced today a strategic integration that will automate phone-based restaurant reservations across 20 countries. This move further strengthens the digital offerings of Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG), OpenTable’s parent company, which boasts impressive gross profit margins of 87% and continues to expand its $153.7 billion market cap business.
The partnership will enable restaurants using both platforms to manage table reservations, group bookings, and private-event inquiries through voice AI technology in regional languages. The integration covers markets including the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, Mexico, several European countries, and parts of Asia and the Middle East.
The system aims to address operational challenges such as missed calls and manual booking processes by handling multiple calls simultaneously, confirming reservations instantly, and managing cancellations and waitlists. The technology syncs with OpenTable’s real-time availability data.
"Hospitality begins with the first call and too often, that call goes unanswered," said Jay Ruparel, CEO of VOICEplug AI, according to the company’s press release.
The integration is designed to help restaurants recover missed booking opportunities through 24/7 automated response capabilities while reducing staff workload during peak hours.
OpenTable, which is part of Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG), currently serves more than 60,000 restaurants worldwide. VOICEplug AI specializes in conversational AI technology for restaurant operations, with products that integrate with point-of-sale, customer relationship management, and guest management systems.
The announcement comes as restaurants continue to seek technological solutions to address staffing challenges and improve operational efficiency. According to the press release, the partnership will be available across all 20 countries where the integration has been established.While trading at a relatively high P/E ratio of 31.1, Booking Holdings continues to attract positive analyst sentiment with 15 analysts recently revising earnings expectations upward. For comprehensive analysis including Fair Value estimates and a detailed financial health assessment, check out the Pro Research Report available on InvestingPro, which offers deep-dive analysis on over 1,400 US equities.
In other recent news, Booking Holdings reported strong quarterly results, with room night growth of 8%, surpassing guidance by 2.5% and consensus estimates by 2%. The company’s EBITDA increased by 15%, exceeding expectations by 5.6%, as noted by Bernstein. Benchmark responded to these results by raising its price target for Booking Holdings to $6,400, maintaining a Buy rating. Meanwhile, Cantor Fitzgerald adjusted its price target to $5,550, while keeping a Neutral rating, citing the company’s third-quarter performance that exceeded prior guidance.
Wedbush upgraded Booking Holdings from Neutral to Outperform, highlighting the company’s market share gains in alternative lodging and cost optimization efforts. In leadership news, Brigit Zimmerman will succeed Brett Keller as CEO of Priceline, a subsidiary of Booking Holdings, effective January 1, 2026. Keller, who has been with the company for 26 years, will remain as a Special Advisor until May 2026. Bernstein maintained a Market Perform rating on Booking Holdings, emphasizing the company’s robust quarterly performance.
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