Expedia News and Updates

Expedia Group is one of the most influential players in online travel, with a portfolio of brands and platforms that shape the digital booking landscape. PhocusWire provides timely, in-depth coverage of Expedia news and updates, including leadership changes, platform innovation, and shifts in its global strategy across lodging, air, and experiences.

The latest developments from Expedia and the OTA market

Track how Expedia is evolving its technology stack, streamlining traveler engagement, and reimagining its marketplace to compete in a rapidly changing OTA environment. Our reporting includes insights on product development, loyalty integration, and strategic partnerships that reflect broader trends in online travel retail.

Expedia Group builds generative AI into multiple products in its “Fall Release”
News / Technology
Expedia Group builds generative AI into multiple products in its “Fall Release”
By Mitra Sorrells | September 21, 2023
Among many other updates to its products and services for both travelers and industry partners, Expedia Group is partnering with travel influencers to offer short-form videos in the Expedia and... Read More
Lufthansa unveils Swifty, an AI assistant for business travel
News / Startups
Lufthansa unveils Swifty, an AI assistant for business travel
By Linda Fox | August 22, 2023
The technology enables business travelers to share their hotel and flight preferences via chat, select appropriate options and have them booked. Read More
How online travel agencies plan to win and retain customers
News / Online
How online travel agencies plan to win and retain customers
By Phocuswright Research | August 8, 2023
Mobile has become one of the biggest strategic focus areas for online travel agencies, as they look drive more direct customer interaction to reduce their marketing spend and their reliance on Google. Read More
Expedia Group sees cause for optimism in record Q2 earnings
News / Online
Expedia Group sees cause for optimism in record Q2 earnings
By Derek Catron | August 3, 2023
While revenues slowed and fell below analysts’ estimates, CEO Peter Kern saw promise in Expedia Group’s plans for the rest of the year.   Read More
Expedia Group inks Walmart as major new B2B customer
News / Online
Expedia Group inks Walmart as major new B2B customer
By Derek Catron | July 25, 2023
New partnership brings together one of the world’s biggest OTAs with its biggest retailer. Could Amazon be next? Read More
Hotel bookings via mobile device continue to edge north
News / Online
Hotel bookings via mobile device continue to edge north
By Linda Fox | July 21, 2023
Affilired has been charting the rise in hotel bookings via mobile in recent years and reported a marked increase in the first quarter of 2023. Read More
Expedia Group lays off staff in U.S. and abroad
News / Online
Expedia Group lays off staff in U.S. and abroad
By Mitra Sorrells | July 17, 2023
Beginning last Wednesday there are multiple posts on social media from people who say they were Expedia Group employees and have been laid off, and the company has confirmed the layoffs but would not... Read More
Expedia Group announces ugly split with Hopper
News / Online
Expedia Group announces ugly split with Hopper
By Mitra Sorrells and Derek Catron | July 12, 2023
Expedia Group is pulling its hotel and vacation rental supply from Hopper, charging the rival online travel agency with taking advantage of consumers. Read More
Airline industry leaders, academics will advise Google on emissions calculations
News / Online
Airline industry leaders, academics will advise Google on emissions calculations
By Mitra Sorrells | July 12, 2023
Google is aiming to build trust in its flight emission data and make it the global standard for accurate, transparent and consistent information. Read More
Expedia Group launches One Key unified rewards program
News / Online
Expedia Group launches One Key unified rewards program
By Derek Catron | July 7, 2023
Speaking at Phocuswright Europe 2023, Alfonso Paredes called One Key “a super powerful tool” that would spread rewards benefits to more travelers.   Read More
Study reveals low take-up of AI among European hotels
News / Distribution
Study reveals low take-up of AI among European hotels
By Linda Fox | July 5, 2023
The Booking.com-Statista European Accommodation Barometer reveals that 23% plan to use the tools in the next six months, but two-thirds have no plans to use AI in their businesses. Read More
Priceline partners with Google to deploy generative AI
News / Technology
Priceline partners with Google to deploy generative AI
By Mitra Sorrells | June 6, 2023
Priceline will use the generative AI technology to create a new virtual travel assistant chatbot to improve internal workflows. Read More
Online travel giants Q1 marketing spending shows wide variance
News / Online
Online travel giants Q1 marketing spending shows wide variance
By Mitra Sorrells | June 6, 2023
Expedia Group spent the highest percentage of revenue on marketing while Airbnb spent the least and focused on expanding brand awareness and balancing supply and demand. Read More
ChatGPT plugins' potential impact on the travel booking experience
Opinion / Technology
ChatGPT plugins' potential impact on the travel booking experience
By Mario Gavira | May 22, 2023
Can chatbot plugins bring a new, conversational layer to the decade-old search and booking interface in travel? Read More
Expedia Group launches OneKeyCash for partners
News / Online
Expedia Group launches OneKeyCash for partners
By Kathryn Walson | May 12, 2023
The new rewards currency is intended to target the 83% of consumers who travel too infrequently to earn status or meaningful rewards. Read More