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.

mark-okerstrom-expedia-group-direct-bookings
News / Online
Expedia CEO Mark Okerstrom: “War over the best booking experience is almost over”
By Jill Menze | June 25, 2019
Speaking at Expedia Group's first Research Summit, Mark Okerstrom said the next "vector of innovation" happens after bookings are made. Read More
Expedia’s Arthur Chapin on emerging tech: The good, the bad… and the blockchain
News / Technology
Expedia’s Arthur Chapin on emerging tech: The good, the bad… and the blockchain
By Jill Menze | June 20, 2019
You’ve heard it once, and you’ll hear again how things like blockchain and Amazon’s Alexa are disrupting the travel industry. But when does the talk turn from promise and buzz to practical... Read More
Hotels need to embark on a new chapter - the digital one already written by Amazon
News / Online
Hotels need to embark on a new chapter - the digital one already written by Amazon
By Mitra Sorrells | June 19, 2019
Hotels can fend off threats from outside by adopting a retailing mindset and using tech that supports their model, rather than relying on outdated property management systems. Read More
travel-payments-bitcoin
News / Online
Bitcoin continues to be on a slow burn as payment option in travel
By Linda Fox | June 12, 2019
Can Bitcoin gain real traction in travel payments as it's explored by new segments? Read More
What happens to rate parity when Airbnb is an online travel agency?
Opinion / Online
What happens to rate parity when Airbnb is an online travel agency?
By Gino Engels - OTA Insight | June 11, 2019
As lines blur between platform and provider, there are some real questions around rate parity and price competitiveness in this brave new world. Read More
Nordic Choice on Google Amazon using blockchain
News / Technology
Will Google and Amazon embrace a blockchain travel marketplace?
By Mitra Sorrells | June 7, 2019
Nordic Choice Hotels’ director of future business, Christian Lundén, says blockchain has the potential to disrupt travel distribution by stimulating activity from both startups and large tech players... Read More
OYO talks up hospitality chain growth as it expands distribution strategy
News / Distribution
OYO talks up hospitality chain growth as it expands distribution strategy
By Kevin May | June 4, 2019
OYO Rooms now has distribution deals in place with every major online travel agency around the world. Read More
VIDEO: Expedia on being an empire and the future of platforms
News / Online
VIDEO: Expedia on being an empire and the future of platforms
By Kevin May | May 22, 2019
The Expedia Group is a sprawling empire of a business, with online travel agencies, corporate travel agencies and investments in metasearch. Read More
Amazon may not be able to resist the lure of online travel
News / Online
Amazon may not be able to resist the lure of online travel
By Kevin May | May 14, 2019
The e-commerce giant’s widely anticipated but as yet unseen move into the industry could give it a baseline $600 million profit on an annual basis. Read More
pcw-europe-2019-ranque
Interview / Online
In the green room at Phocuswright Europe with... Cyril Ranque
By PhocusWire | May 9, 2019
In a series of interviews with executives participating at the event in Amsterdam in May, PhocusWire finds out what makes them tick... Read More
Why Europe is a microcosm of wider trends in online travel
News / Online
Why Europe is a microcosm of wider trends in online travel
By PhocusWire | May 7, 2019
Three broad trends illustrate the prowess of the region in the current online travel scene - but, equally, demonstrate how fragile the growth of the sector can be when one particular brand or market... Read More
Expedia Q1 earnings 2019
News / Online
Q1 growth slows for vacation rentals as Expedia Group realigns business for long-term
By Mitra Sorrells | May 2, 2019
Expedia Group bookings were up 8% in the first quarter of 2019, but only 5% in its vacation rental businesses, now consolidated under the Vrbo brand. Read More
hotel-loyalty-programs
News / Distribution
Hotel loyalty should be more than just rewards and favored partners
By Linda Fox | April 30, 2019
A discussion on loyalty in hotels sparked interesting comment around how program members should be treated. Read More
Hotel cancelation rate at 40% as online travel agencies push free change policy
News / Distribution
Hotel cancelation rate at 40% as online travel agencies push free change policy
By Kevin May | April 23, 2019
Key findings from a major study carried out by D-Edge, the Accor-owned hotel technology group that includes the AvailPro and FastBooking platforms. Read More
Middle East series part 3 distribution
News / Distribution
Middle East, part 3: How homegrown travel brands are diversifying distribution
By Mitra Sorrells | April 22, 2019
For the third part in our series on the Middle East, we analyze the distribution landscape and the role of homegrown online travel agencies. Read More
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