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.

ota hotel profitability
Opinion / Online
Online travel agency moves harming profitability: What hotels need to know
By Max Starkov - HEBS Digital | August 24, 2018
Two recent events in hotel distribution created a mild media buzz, but unfortunately were ignored by some hoteliers and quickly forgotten by the industry: Expedia’s Add‐On Advantage and Booking.Basic. Read More
Revenue and loyalty for vacation rentals in the age of Amazon and Google
Opinion / Online
Revenue and loyalty for vacation rentals in the age of Amazon and Google
By Mike Putman - Custom Travel Solutions | August 23, 2018
The accommodations market has expanded over the past decade, in part due to the growing vacation rental sector. However, nobody quite knows how vacation rentals will fit into the larger travel ecosystem... Read More
Online accounts for 80% of under-30s travel bookings, OTAs dominate (for now)
News / Technology
Online accounts for 80% of under-30s travel bookings, OTAs dominate (for now)
By Rob Gill | August 22, 2018
Online travel agents (OTAs) are the most popular option for booking flights and accommodation within the youth and student market. A survey of more than 57,000 travellers aged under 30 by WYSE Trav Read More
Thomas Cook talks up Expedia deal, TUI talks up its app
News / Technology
Thomas Cook talks up Expedia deal, TUI talks up its app
By Rob Gill | August 21, 2018
Thomas Cook is to extend its “white label” online booking partnership with Expedia across European markets over the next few months. The tour operator started selling Expedia’s city break and hotel Read More
Expedia Group pays $60M to buy out AirAsia from AirAsiaGo platform
News / Online
Expedia Group pays $60M to buy out AirAsia from AirAsiaGo platform
By Kevin May | August 14, 2018
An investment of $60 million has brought to an end a seven-year joint venture between Expedia Group and AirAsia to sell the airline's tickets alongside hotels. Read More
Summer reading - five news stories you may have missed
News / Technology
Summer reading - five news stories you may have missed
By Simone Puorto | August 7, 2018
According to Amanda Johnson, teacher at Study.com, "Summer reading is critical to not only retain information but also to grow in knowledge and critical thinking skills". And, even though the study Read More
Startups part 1 investors' perspective
News / Startups
Surveying the travel startup landscape, part 1: The investors’ perspective
By Mitra Sorrells | August 7, 2018
This month we're digging into the topic of startups, aiming to understand the challenges and opportunities from the perspective of various players in the field, beginning with insights from venture... Read More
Under-30 traveler survey
News / Online
What under-30 travelers want when researching, booking and experiencing trips
By Mitra Sorrells | August 2, 2018
Younger travelers – those under 30 years old – represented 23% of all international arrivals in 2017, creating a market valued at more than $280 billion.  Read More
Q&A: Why test-and-learn is at the heart of improving customer experience
News / Online
Q&A: Why test-and-learn is at the heart of improving customer experience
By Jill Menze | July 31, 2018
Understanding the nuances of a digital strategy in the travel business is a never-ending series of projects and experimentation. Read More
Most voice assistants "unskilled" for travel planning and booking
News / Technology
Most voice assistants "unskilled" for travel planning and booking
By Michael Coletta | July 20, 2018
For all the skills in Amazon's Alexa voice marketplace (30,000 and counting), the majority can still be described as "unskilled" for travel planning and booking tasks. The same can be said for Google... Read More
expedia package bookings
News / Distribution
Package bookings drive higher ADR, have longer booking windows
By Jill Menze | July 18, 2018
Analyzing data on package bookings vs. standalone hotel bookings, Expedia Group found that for full year 2017, package bookings delivered higher average daily rates and had longer booking windows,... Read More
loyalty-travel-expedia-affiliate-network-2
From Our Partners / Online
Why it’s time to take a braver approach to travel loyalty
By Ariane Gorin - Expedia Partner Solutions | July 11, 2018
In 2018, many elements of the industry are at some kind of crossroads. Read More
Day of the independents - why chains are seeing tech-savvy competitors celebrate
Opinion / Distribution
Day of the independents - why chains are seeing tech-savvy competitors celebrate
By Sue Spinney - Expedia Group | July 5, 2018
As competition among hotels remains heated due to new construction and market saturation, independent hotels continue to thrive and outpace chain hotels. Read More
Online travel agencies face action for search, charges and discount practices
News / Online
Online travel agencies face action for search, charges and discount practices
By Kevin May | June 29, 2018
An ongoing probe into sales tactics by online travel agencies has seen a number of brands warned over the way they display prices and market to users. Read More
Affiliate marketing strategies in travel
News / Online
Understanding the not-so-glamorous hidden gem of travel marketing
By Ivan Baidin - Travelpayouts | June 28, 2018
Affiliate marketing is a blind spot for the travel industry.  Read More