• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to footer

Travel Magazine

Top Travel Destinations in Pictures

  • Travel Advertising
  • Make a Contribution
  • Contact

Expedia Group: Spotlight on Technology as Catalyst for Tourism Recovery

December 9, 2020 By Travel Magazine

Travel industry leaders reveal how data-powered technology is unlocking value for suppliers, restoring traveler confidence

Today at its annual partner conference, explore ’20, Expedia Group shared its continued commitment to focus on technological innovation as a key driver in recovery and beyond. The world’s leading online travel agency is calling on all players in the global travel ecosystem to adapt to the shift in traveler expectations in critical areas such as flexibility, cleanliness, and communication to restore traveler confidence.

Joined by speakers from companies representing the diverse travel industry, including American Airlines, Amigo Tours, Avis Budget Group, IHG, and Princess Cruises, among others, today’s speakers showcased how data-powered technology addressed the challenges and opportunities brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, while helping make travel partners more effective, efficient, and resilient.

“Travel is an industry comprised of many diverse and distinct voices, and by working together, we continue to bring hope of exploration back to people around the world,” said Cyril Ranque, Group President of the Travel Partners Group, Expedia Group. “Technology innovation has played a massive role this year and is a key driver in building a more efficient and sustainable travel ecosystem next year and the years to come.”

Data and technology to give travel partners more control

Using the power of Expedia Group’s first-party data and technology, travel partners moved quickly to capture audiences, understand traveler booking trends, and more relevantly showcase their unique value to better match with the right pockets of demand.

Rev+ Insights API: Expedia Group’s new API levels the playing field across the Expedia Group marketplace, further democratizing revenue performance technology for all lodging partners. It provides real-time insights during a time when historical data is no longer relevant, creates operational efficiencies, and improves decision-making. The Rev+ Insights API will be made available to additional connectivity provider platforms in 2021.
Optimized Distribution Program: Expedia Group opened its optimized distribution program to mid and large-sized lodging partners in August this year, allowing them to tap into new areas of B2B demand and giving them increased control of their B2B rates, availability and content across a network of global travel providers. Multiple partners including Highgate and Club Quarters have signed on to-date.
Simplified Onboarding Process: For property managers in vacation rentals, Expedia Group developed the “Add a Property” tool, which makes adding more properties quick and easy within Expedia Group Partner Central and dramatically simplifies the onboarding processes.
Value Add for Cruise Suppliers: Expedia Group delivered on its omnichannel strategy to improve the traveler, partner, and distribution channel experience for cruise. This streamlines the booking process to deliver more travelers to cruise partners. By consolidating to a single platform and developing new agent technology, franchise and consultant websites now receive access to a broad inventory of cruise and non-cruise product, among other benefits.
Meeting traveler expectations on flexibility, health, and cleanliness

Booking flexibility and health and safety are expected to remain important factors to travelers now and in the future. Expedia Group has added new features to clearly communicate new protocols that increase traveler confidence while minimizing post-booking complications.

Booking Flexibility: Travelers looking for flexibility in their bookings want to quickly understand which airlines and properties are offering the ability to change bookings at no extra charge. Expedia Group added in a prominent “no change fees” badge on flights and a “free cancellation” filter for lodging bookings.
Touchless Technology in Car Rentals: COVID-19 has disrupted the way people travel, while accelerating digitization and automation across the industry. Expedia Group launched “Online Check-in” and “Skip the Counter,” new features to improve the car experience for travelers while adhering to social distancing protocols. The “Online Check-in” feature is live with 15 supply partners including Alamo, Avis, Budget, and Sixt.
Elevating Safety Measures: Expedia Group increased transparency around health and safety protocols, making it easier for partners across all segments to communicate their health and safety practices to travelers via their listings.​ For airline travelers, engagement with cleanliness and safety information is on par with the “non-stop” filter, the most used air filter on Expedia Group sites. Furthermore, listings with clearly labeled health and safety information saw in increase in interest from travelers.
Delivering on the traveler experience

Expedia Group technology and simple processes helps increase the efficiencies of travel providers, giving them time to focus on creating amazing experiences that restore traveler confidence.

Streamlined Shopping Experience: Expedia Group’s cruise division consolidated every point of purchase across the company into one single platform, allowing travelers to shop for an array of cruise offers on their own or with the help of an agent. Additionally, travelers can also purchase Expedia Group’s extensive supply of flights, lodging, transfers, and activities to fulfill the needs of their entire travel itinerary.
Upsell Options for Airline Partners: While upsell options are traditionally displayed after a traveler selects flights, Expedia Group tested airfare selection in the search results to help travelers easily compare prices and select the fare that is best suited for their travel needs. These capabilities are popular with travelers, with upsell gross bookings increasing 237 percent year-over-year (based on 2019 Expedia Group upsell transactions).
Increased Activities Visibility: Expedia Group increased the visibility of activities to travelers, which increased distribution across Expedia Group brands. With a large global travel ecosystem, Expedia Group focused on connecting travelers with relevant activities partners, making it seamless for travelers to book and redeem all components of their entire trip, including activities.
Viewing explore ’20 on-demand

Virtual explore ’20 continues on Thursday, December 10, with industry luminaries Rick Steves and Gloria Guevara, President and CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council. On-demand recordings from explore ’20 will be available at www.exploreexpediagroup.com starting the week of December 14 until the end of 2020.

About Expedia Group
Expedia Group helps knock down the barriers to travel, making it easier, more enjoyable, more attainable and more accessible. We are here to bring the world within reach for travelers and partners around the globe. We leverage our platform and technology capabilities across an extensive portfolio of businesses and brands to orchestrate the movement of people and the delivery of travel experiences on both a local and global basis. Our family of travel brands includes: Brand Expedia®, Hotels.com®, Expedia® Partner Solutions, Vrbo®, Egencia®, trivago®, HomeAway®, Orbitz®, Travelocity®, Hotwire®, Wotif®, ebookers®, CheapTickets®, Expedia Group™ Media Solutions, Expedia Local Expert®, CarRentals.com™, Expedia® CruiseShipCenters®, Classic Vacations®, Traveldoo® and VacationRentals.com.

Filed Under: Travel Guide

Footer

Recent Posts

  • THE ROYAL SONESTA BRAND IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR FRANCHISING
  • What Labor Day Travel Data Tells Us About the State of Travel
  • Travel is a mess all over the world
  • World’s most livable cities
  • Hop On Hop Off Bus Tours Announces Athens Tour Routes
  • Hop On Hop Off Bus Tours Offers Tours of London Landmarks
  • Why do people love cruises?
  • Spain experiencing a heat wave
  • What was it like to be on a cruise ship as Covid-19 was all the rage?
  • Summer is Here: The Raft of the Medusa

Travel Market

Travel Company Backed By World's Largest Cryptocurrency Exchange Launches Blockchain-Powered Airbnb Competitor
Boatsetter Furthers Expansion Of On-the-water Experiences With Launch Of Boatsetter Fishing
The rapid rise of ‘red tourism’ in China
June U.S. Travel Agency Air Ticket Sales Pass $4 Billion
Global hotel tech leader SiteMinder expands hotel commerce platform with acquisition of GuestJoy
Singapore accounts for one-third of global cruise travelers
Tripadvisor Unveils New App as Summer Travel Rebounds
Travel trends that can shape tourism in 2022
Dubai named most popular destination of 2022 by Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards
Travel Insurance: Is It Actually Worth Buying?

Media Partners

  • Travel Marketing
  • Virtual Travel Guide
Holland America Line Sees Record Black Friday Bookings in the U.S.
SET-JETTERS, THREE-STAR SUPERSTARS AND FOODIE-MENITIES: EXPEDIA, HOTELS.COM AND VRBO REVEAL 2023 TRAVEL TRENDS
Hyatt To Expand Independent Collection Brands in Key Global Destinations Through 2025
ResortPass Raises $26 Million Series B for Hotel Amenity Access
Split, Croatia
Get a Unique Travel Experience with FindGuide
Revenge Tourism
Small Cruise Ship M/V Clio Arrives to Haifa
Where and when to see cherry blossoms in Japan
Austin’s oldest green space, Pease Park, gets a climate-conscious makeover
Restaurant MOTA in Nykøbing Sjælland
UK’s best ancient sites
Harbour House, Bristol
What makes French pastries so good?
Best UK activity holidays and summer camps for teenagers
Saint-Émilion, France
How to travel the world, but stay in one place: exotic and serene destinations
US cruise ships using Canada as a ‘toilet bowl’ for polluted waste
Exploring Provence’s Luberon Valley
Miami has boomed over the course of the pandemic

Copyright © 2013 TravelMagazine.org

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT