Gillian Tans – Former CEO of Booking.com

Gillian Tans is an advisor and board member who previously served as Booking.com’s Chief Executive Officer from April 2016 to June 2019, when she stepped down.

During this time, she was responsible for the company’s global strategy and operations, including the management of all business units within the organisation.

Since stepping down as Booking.com’s CEO, Gillian Tans has served as the organisation’s Chairwoman.

She advises the company’s leadership on its long-term vision and business operations as well as various key growth initiatives.

Before serving as Booking.com’s chairperson and CEO, Gillian Tans held various other positions in the company, including head of global sales, operations, IT, content, and customer care.

During her time with the company, she saw it advance its operations and sales to include over 224 countries worldwide.

Before joining Booking.com, Gillian Tans spent over four years with the Goldin Tulip Worldwide hotel group. During this time, she also took on various roles, including product manager, marketing manager, and sales director.

She also worked for the Intercontinental Hotel Group and some smaller independent hotels.
As the founder of Diversity Hero, Gillian Tans helps create a European working economy in the tech industry.

The initiative creates a space where everyone belongs and their talents are valued.

Gillian Tans was ranked as one of the 50 Most Inspirational Women in Dutch Technology by the organisation Inspiring 50.

She began her career at Hershey Entertainment and Resorts after graduating from the Hotel Management School in Middelburg, Netherlands.

Gillian Tans is a prominent figure in transformational leadership, particularly through her tenure at Booking.com.

Here are some key aspects of her approach:

Strategic Vision and Innovation

Gillian Tans, as the former CEO of Booking.com, demonstrated transformational leadership by driving significant growth and expansion. Her strategic vision included investing in mobile technology and expanding accommodation options beyond traditional hotels

This forward-thinking approach helped Booking.com adapt to evolving consumer preferences and maintain its position as a leader in the online travel industry

Advocacy for Diversity and Inclusion

Throughout her career, Gillian has been a vocal advocate for diversity and inclusion. Under her leadership, Booking.com made strides in promoting gender equality and fostering a diverse workforce

Her commitment to creating an incusive corporate culture not only enhanced employee satisfaction but also contributed to Booking.com’s reputation as a progressive and socially responsible company
Innovation and Technology Advancements

During her leadership, Gillian emphasized the importance of leveraging data analytics and machine learning to personalize user experiences and streamline booking processes.

Her holistic approach to leadership fostered a culture of continuous improvement and innovation within Booking.com, ensuring that the company remained at the forefront of the travel industry

Speaker Topics

Visionary Leadership

Tans demonstrated strong visionary leadership during her tenure at Booking.com.

She was instrumental in shaping the company’s strategy and direction, guiding it to become one of the world’s leading online travel agencies.

Her ability to envision future trends and adapt the company’s offerings accordingly helped Booking.com stay ahead in a highly competitive industry.

Strategic Acumen

Tans exhibited excellent strategic acumen, making sound decisions that propelled Booking.com’s growth and market expansion.

She had a deep understanding of the travel industry dynamics, customer needs, and emerging technologies, enabling her to devise effective strategies to drive the company forward.

People Skills and Team Building

Tans was known for her strong people skills and her ability to build and nurture high-performing teams.

She fostered a culture of innovation, collaboration, and inclusivity within Booking.com, empowering employees to unleash their full potential.

Under her leadership, Booking.com became renowned for its diverse and talented workforce, which played a crucial role in the company’s success.