Gillian Tans served as the chief executive officer of Booking.com from 2016 until 2019, overseeing the organization's global strategy across 224 countries and territories. Her tenure at the travel platform coincided with its expansion to a workforce of 10,000 employees operating out of 174 worldwide offices, marking a significant scale transition in international digital travel commerce.
Early Career and Education
Born in 1970 in Apeldoorn, Netherlands, Tans is a graduate of the Hotel Management School in Middelburg. Her early professional experience was rooted in the hospitality sector. She began her career at the Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company in Pennsylvania before moving into roles at the Intercontinental Hotel Group and the Golden Tulip Worldwide hotel group. At Golden Tulip, she held positions as Product Manager, Marketing Manager, and Director of Sales over a four-year period.
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Tans joined Booking.com in 2002. During the company's early years, she focused on establishing international operations, including a notable period in Barcelona where she worked to sign new partners. Prior to her appointment as CEO in 2016, she served as the company's President and Chief Operating Officer, a role held since 2011. Her responsibilities included managing Global Sales, Operations, IT, Content, and Customer Care. Following her term as CEO, she transitioned to the role of chairwoman until 2021.
Board Appointments and Additional Ventures
Beyond her primary executive roles, Tans has contributed to the oversight of several technology and travel firms. In August 2020, she joined the board of directors at Farfetch. She later accepted a position on the board of directors at the Barcelona-based business travel firm TravelPerk in 2022. Additionally, she served as the president of the Dutch bicycle and e-bike manufacturer VanMoof from May 2022 until May 2023.
Fast facts
- Born: 1970, Apeldoorn, Netherlands
- Chief Executive Officer, Booking.com: 2016-2019
- President, VanMoof: 2022-2023
- Education: Hotel Management School, Middelburg
- Awards: Inspiring Fifty Europe (2016)
- Languages: English, Dutch, German, French
Questions readers ask
Which companies has Gillian Tans served as an executive?
She held executive roles at Booking.com and served as president of VanMoof.
What is her background in education?
She is a graduate of the Hotel Management School located in Middelburg, Netherlands.
Achievements
- Affiliated with Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company and booking.com
