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.

Hopper outperformed all other OTA apps in 2021
News / Online
Hopper outperformed all other OTA apps in 2021
By Jill Menze | March 25, 2022
According to a report from Apptopia, Hopper grew 494% in 2021, overtaking Airbnb as the leader in market share by monthly active users. Read More
Expedia Group, Booking Holdings halt Russia travel sales
News / Online
Expedia Group, Booking Holdings halt Russia travel sales
By Jamie Biesiada - Travel Weekly | March 9, 2022
Bookings to Eastern Europe that include Russia represent a high single-digit percentage of Booking Holdings' gross sales. Read More
The most used booking platforms for short-term rentals and what makes them attractive
News / Online
The most used booking platforms for short-term rentals and what makes them attractive
By Phocuswright Research | March 2, 2022
Over the past several years, travel distribution players have scrambled to add short-term rental properties and content, all vying for their share of the growing rental market. Read More
marriott-direct-bookings
News / Distribution
Marriott direct booking share up vs. OTA channels
By Linda Fox | February 16, 2022
GDS share of bookings have taken the "biggest dip" while OTAs benefited from the increase in leisure business Read More
expedia-group-q4-fy-2021
News / Online
Expedia Group closes 2021 with record Q4 profitability
By Mitra Sorrells | February 11, 2022
Expedia Group CEO Peter Kern expresses optimism about 2022, calling it a year for innovation and delivery for the company. Read More
European regulators poised for rental rules shake-up
News / Online
European regulators poised for rental rules shake-up
By Linda Fox | December 15, 2021
The aim of the Commission's initiative is the development of “responsible, fair and trusted growth in short-term rentals” as part of wider tourism ecosystem, with Europe-wide rules to be put in place. Read More
VIDEO: How Expedia Group wants to sharpen its focus
News / Online
VIDEO: How Expedia Group wants to sharpen its focus
By PhocusWire | November 29, 2021
Appointed at the outset of the pandemic, Peter Kern appears to be a pragmatic and humble CEO - something that many companies have been in sore need of during the last two years. Read More
phocuswire-pulse-spotnana
News / Startups
VIDEO: Building in stealth, launching and early phases for startups
By PhocusWire | November 5, 2021
The co-founder and CEO of the newest corporate travel startup, Spotnana, discusses why and how the company launched in stealth mode. Read More
expedia-group-q3-2021
News / Distribution
Expedia Group nearly matches 2019 profit levels in Q3 2021
By Mitra Sorrells | November 4, 2021
Expedia Group says recovery in Q3 2021 was led by leisure and domestic travel, coming in particular from Vrbo.   Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2021 - five questions for Peter Kern
News / Online
The Phocuswright Conference 2021 - five questions for Peter Kern
By PhocusWire | October 19, 2021
Kern oversees a portfolio of brands such as Expedia, Vrbo, Hotels.com and Trivago, as well as a number of B2B services including Expedia Group Media Solutions and Expedia Group Partner Solutions. Read More
Online giants grasp recovery momentum via marketing mix
News / Online
Online giants grasp recovery momentum via marketing mix
By Linda Fox | October 5, 2021
The three giants looked to what they already had in terms of their existing customer bases and continued to prudently put marketing dollars elsewhere, hopefully to bring in new travelers. Read More
airbnb-transparent-pricing-test
News / Online
After transparency shift in Europe, Airbnb tests new display globally
By Mitra Sorrells | September 30, 2021
In the coming weeks Airbnb will test different ways to display pricing for some properties in markets around the globe, to show a rate inclusive of fees in the initial search listing. Read More
airbnb-rate-plans-hotel-strategy
News / Online
Airbnb revives hotel strategy, moves closer to rival OTA model
By Mitra Sorrells | September 29, 2021
Airbnb is beta testing new rate plans with an eye on attracting more hotels and better competing with online travel agencies. Read More
Travel app downloads surpass 2019 numbers, Hopper ranks top booking app
News / Online
Travel app downloads surpass 2019 numbers, Hopper ranks top booking app
By Jill Menze | September 27, 2021
According to a report from SensorTower, top travel booking apps exceeded 10.6 million downloads in Q2 2021 – an 81% jump compared to 2019. Read More
Expedia Group brings loyalty programs into a single platform
News / Online
Expedia Group brings loyalty programs into a single platform
By Kevin May | September 21, 2021
The company says all brands and products will be in the program, covering flights, hotels, alternative accommodation, car rentals, cruises and activities. Read More