Booking Holdings (BKNG) stock soared 5.19% in pre-market trading on Friday, following the release of its strong fourth-quarter 2024 financial results. The online travel giant reported impressive growth across key metrics, fueled by booming travel demand.

Here are the key highlights from Booking Holdings' Q4 2024 results:

Surging Bookings and Revenue:

• Room nights booked grew 13% year-over-year, exceeding the high end of the company's guidance.
• Gross bookings increased by 17%, driven by higher room night growth, strong flight bookings, and higher accommodation ADRs.
• Revenue rose 14% year-over-year to $5.5 billion, surpassing analysts' expectations.

Robust Profitability:

• Adjusted EBITDA soared 26% to $1.8 billion, benefiting from revenue outperformance and efficient cost management.
• Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) grew 30% year-over-year, aided by a lower share count.

Strategic Initiatives Gaining Traction:

• The company's alternative accommodations listings reached 7.9 million, up 8% year-over-year, with room night growth of 19% in Q4.
• Airline ticket bookings increased by 38% for the full year, driven by expanded flight offerings and Booking.com's Connected Trip vision.
• The merchant gross bookings mix at Booking.com reached 59%, unlocking opportunities for enhanced merchandising and fintech services.

Booking Holdings' CEO, Glenn Fogel, expressed excitement about the company's progress in integrating Generative AI into its offerings, such as Booking.com's AI Trip Planner and Priceline's AI-powered travel assistant. The company aims to leverage AI to deliver a more seamless and personalized Connected Trip experience for travelers.