By Dave Sebastian 



  Booking Holdings Inc. said it plans to cut Booking.com's global work force by up to about 25%, or roughly more than 4,000, as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to hurt travel demand. 


  The online-travel agency said it is in talks with works councils, employee representatives and relevant organizations regarding the layoffs, cost reduction and restructuring actions. A Booking spokeswoman said the unit employs more than 17,000 people. 


  The company said it expects to finalize the layoff plans on a country by country basis, with the first countries starting in September. 


  Write to Dave Sebastian at dave.sebastian@wsj.com