May 2 - Booking Holdings ( BKNG ) reported higher

first-quarter profit on Thursday, as strong demand for

international travel offset moderating leisure travel demand in

the U.S.

International travel demand is expected to remain strong

this year as global air connectivity increases and travelers

flock to Asian and Latin American destinations, while demand for

domestic travel in North America plateaus.

The Norwalk, Connecticut-based company reported a quarterly

adjusted profit of $20.39 per share, compared with $11.60 per

share last year.

Total quarterly revenue was $4.41 billion, up 17% from a

year earlier.