Interview with Laura Mitrea, Manager, Total Rewards & Payroll, Booking Holdings

“Excellence in Me” is more than just a wellbeing program—it’s a transformative journey designed to foster a Great Place to Work at Booking Holdings Romania, where people feel valued, safe, content, and appreciated. Our goal is to create an environment where employees can thrive, pursue their passions, and strive for excellence in all aspects of life.

This program was designed to support our colleagues in making conscious efforts to achieve success holistically—both professionally and personally. By cultivating a culture of care, balance, and engagement, we aim to enhance work-life integration, boost employee wellbeing, and drive sustainable productivity.

The “Excellence in Me” program is structured around a holistic approach to personal and professional growth, designed to enhance the overall health, happiness, and productivity of our community. It is built on four key pillars:

• Be Active – Encouraging physical activity through engaging sports initiatives and outdoor experiences.
• Connect & Self-Care – Strengthening relationships through team activities while promoting mental and emotional wellbeing.
• Give & Protect – Cultivating a culture of kindness, community support, and mental health protection.
• Learn & Grow – Fostering continuous learning, skill development, and personal growth opportunities.

By embedding these pillars into our culture, we aim to create a thriving, engaged, and resilient workforce where individuals can achieve both personal and professional excellence.

Employees have responded enthusiastically to the “Excellence in Me” program, highlighting its impact on their overall wellbeing and sense of belonging. A key driver of its success is the active involvement of our colleagues through the Wellbeing Ambassadors group. This dedicated team plays a crucial role in shaping the program by writing insightful articles, sharing personal experiences, and organizing initiatives aligned with each of the four pillars.

One of the most appreciated aspects of the program is its peer-led approach, which fosters a strong sense of community and shared purpose. Employees value the opportunity to both contribute and benefit from initiatives that feel authentic, relevant, and tailored to their needs.

Some key projects so far that have featured in the program are:

• The Wellbeing newsletters - insightful wellbeing articles through sharing personal experiences
• Mental Health dedicated workshops
• Wellness & physical workshops, a valuable opportunity for colleagues to learn about the benefits of incorporating movement into our daily routine, promoting good posture, and learning how to exercise effectively.
• Excellence Cup, meant to bring good cheer and enjoy quality time playing ping pong, pool (billiard), chess or foosball together in a competitive and fun atmosphere in our gaming area in the office.
• Chess Club, bringing chess lessons and tournaments to our office for our colleagues.

The “Excellence in Me” program is a key enabler of our overarching HR strategy, reinforcing our commitment to employee wellbeing, engagement, and sustainable performance. By integrating this program into our culture, we foster a thriving workplace, enhance engagement and retention – A strong focus on holistic wellbeing creates a positive employee experience, reinforcing our ambition to become  a Great Place to Work, strengthen our employer brand – Showcasing our commitment to employee growth and wellbeing differentiates us in the market and attracts top talent, drive productivity and resilience – By promoting work-life balance, mental health, and continuous learning, we help employees sustain high performance while preventing burnout, align with our cultural values – The program ensures inclusivity by offering diverse wellbeing resources and fostering a supportive, people-centric environment.

By embedding “Excellence in Me” into our HR strategy, we are not just providing a program—we are cultivating a long-term culture of wellbeing, engagement, and personal and professional growth.

The “Excellence in Me” program stands out due to its peer-driven, holistic, and deeply embedded approach to employee wellbeing and engagement. Key differentiators include:

• Employee-Led Initiatives – Unlike other wellness programs, “Excellence in Me” is actively shaped by employees through the Wellbeing Ambassadors group. Colleagues take ownership by organizing initiatives, writing articles, and fostering a culture of shared wellbeing.
• Seamless Integration into Workplace Culture – Wellbeing is not treated as an add-on but as a natural and embedded part of daily life at work. By hosting activities directly in the office and fostering participation across different teams, the program creates a sense of belonging and shared purpose.
• By making wellbeing a collective effort rather than an individual responsibility, “Excellence in Me” has transformed into a community-driven movement, ensuring long-term impact and genuine cultural change.