Quotes from Gillian Tans

I'm a master at getting as much in a day as possible.

For me, it's about taking things that do not take a lot of space. Don't take a lot of shoes. I tend to pack a lot of dresses, for instance, because they take up less space.

A long time ago, we had to build interfaces to connect with other companies, and I thought that was a great idea. The company had to pay a lot of money to build it and basically launched it, but our whole operating system almost broke. So, we couldn't continue it. In the end, I had to go on the train to Paris to explain that I had spent millions.

India is a fast-growth market and is developing a lot. We continue to increase our partners here and make investments.

Pack snacks. Food prices once you pass through airport security or within blocks of a major tourist attraction can be double the price. Pack travel-friendly snacks or visit a grocery store in the destination you are visiting to get a better price.

We want to make sure that we have the right products for Chinese people.

India has a sizeable chunk of the Asian travel market - both inbound and outbound travel.

We are a bottom-up culture, and we need a communications platform that can facilitate that.

Travel is a combination of the personal and the emotional.

And as a woman, you need to take risks. Don't stay too long in your own swim lane.

Booking.com started with just a website, but we've always thought of our company as being more than just a website.

Typically, I get to the office around eight o'clock. I have a very mixed schedule, and I always try to keep time for things that are not planned. You need time for whatever might pop up in the week.

Instead of traveling on a weekend, begin your trip on a Tuesday or Wednesday, which are often the cheapest days to fly. Being flexible with timing can help with savings.

We know that companies which have more women in leadership positions have a better performance.

We have many accommodation owners - people who own small hotels, villas and bungalows - and the digital economy has opened up a world of possibility for these business owners. Now, they can sell to and communicate with people around the world, and where Booking.com comes in is to help these accommodation owners adapt to the digital world.

As a company, we believe in free and open borders. We feel this best facilitates the exchange of cultural values and ideas.

I've always been curious and taken many risks, but that is quite atypical for a woman. On the other hand, I think that's the only way to grow beyond yourself.

Using science to tell us what customers are looking for is second nature for us here.

The culture of Booking.com has been very good for me because it's a culture where you're allowed to fail. When you think about taking risks, if it's OK to fail, you actually do a lot more. And you learn a lot quicker.

Whether you are checking luggage or bringing a carry-on, always weigh and measure your bags to make sure they are below the airline's size and weight restrictions. Excess baggage fees can be costly. Avoid all baggage fees by only bringing a carry-on.

We wanted to go much bigger than anybody else. That's why we've targeted so many countries.

Understand tipping culture. Whereas Americans tip 15-20% when dining out, most European countries don't tip, as a service charge is typically included in the bill. Make sure you're not over-tipping by doing research before traveling.

The mission of Booking is to empower people to experience the world. Whatever people want to do, wherever they want to go, they can book it with us.

I travel very light. I never want to check a bag. My only standards are a few sets of clothes, my white sneakers, my blue backpack, and my laptop. I don't have any special things otherwise.