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.

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
STARTUP STAGE: Gomingo wants to bring down commission rates for accommodation providers
Interview / Distribution
STARTUP STAGE: Gomingo wants to bring down commission rates for accommodation providers
By Linda Fox | April 11, 2019
Gomingo aims to bring down commission rates for hotels and other accommodation providers by offering 0% commission to hotels that sign up initially with a promise that they will only reach a maximum of... Read More
Middle East series part 1 overview
News / Online
Middle East, part 1: How a young, digital-savvy population is impacting travel
By Mitra Sorrells | April 8, 2019
In part one in our series on the Middle East, we look at how the region's young and connected consumers are changing the travel landscape. Read More
Millennials: Have kids, will travel
From Our Partners / Online
Millennials: Have kids, will travel
By Monya Mandich - Expedia Group Media Solutions. | April 1, 2019
Generation Alpha is increasingly taking over the headlines from Millennials and Generation Z and marketers are rushing to understand the implications of this generation in travel. Read More
Google hotel search vacation rentals
News / Distribution
Google pushes further into private accommodations, rolls out vacation rentals search worldwide
By Mitra Sorrells | March 26, 2019
Google is adding vacation rental listings from the likes of Expedia Group and TripAdvisor to its Hotel Search platform. Read More
Rate parity issues continue to challenge hotels in key markets
News / Distribution
Rate parity issues continue to challenge hotels in key markets
By Linda Fox | March 25, 2019
OTA Insight's Annual Hotel Parity Review shows independent hotels and local chains are more likely to suffer losses from rate parity issues. Read More
Accommodation providers want brand "hijacking" on Google to be made illegal
News / Online
Accommodation providers want brand "hijacking" on Google to be made illegal
By Linda Fox | March 19, 2019
The Bed and Breakfast Association is supporting a petition to make bidding by OTAs on a B&B or hotel’s name on search engines illegal. Read More
Online travel agency giants spent $10.6B on marketing in 2018 (but look closer)
News / Online
Online travel agency giants spent $10.6B on marketing in 2018 (but look closer)
By Kevin May | March 14, 2019
The $10 billion-plus level of combined marketing between the pair masks a dramatic slowing down of activity compared to previous annual increases. Read More
Airbnb-HotelTonight - a deal at the right time for both
News / Online
Airbnb-HotelTonight - a deal at the right time for both
By Kevin May | March 11, 2019
Three experts covering the accommodation sector share their reaction to the deal by Airbnb to buy online travel agency HotelTonight. Read More
Distributed ledger technology can bring rate parity to hotel distribution
Opinion / Technology
Distributed ledger technology can bring rate parity to hotel distribution
By Nadim El Manawy - Arise Travel | February 15, 2019
We ask if distribution technology in use today has been designed with goals that are out of alignment with hotelier’s best interests Read More
hilton-q4-2018-direct-channels
News / Distribution
Hilton maintains focus on direct relationships as growth outstrips agency channel
By Linda Fox | February 14, 2019
Hilton boosted its loyalty program by 14 million members in 2018 and continues to focus on direct relationships. Read More