Expedia Group

Expedia Group, Inc. operates as a global online travel company, offering a comprehensive suite of services for leisure and business travelers. The firm's foundation dates back to 1996 when it was launched as a division within Microsoft. Rich Barton, a Microsoft executive at the time, was instrumental in its creation, foreseeing the internet's potential to empower travelers with more choice and transparency in booking travel. In 1999, Expedia was spun off from Microsoft as a public company. A significant milestone occurred in 2003 when it was acquired by InterActiveCorp (IAC), and subsequently, in 2005, IAC spun off its portfolio of travel businesses into a new entity named Expedia, Inc., which later became Expedia Group.

The company's business model is multifaceted, primarily functioning as an online travel agency (OTA). It generates revenue through two main streams: the Merchant Model and the Agency Model. Under the Merchant Model, Expedia Group purchases hotel rooms and other travel services in bulk and then resells them to customers, earning a margin on the transaction. The Agency Model involves the company acting as an agent, facilitating bookings for which it receives a commission from the travel supplier. Advertising and media revenue from its Trivago brand also contribute to its earnings.

Expedia Group's extensive portfolio of brands caters to a wide spectrum of travelers and booking preferences. Its flagship brand, Expedia.com, provides a full range of travel services, including flights, hotels, car rentals, and vacation packages. Other key brands include Hotels.com, which focuses on lodging accommodations; Vrbo, a marketplace for vacation rentals; and Orbitz, another full-service OTA. The company also serves corporate clients through Egencia, its business travel management arm, and powers the travel offerings of numerous airlines and hotels through its B2B division, Expedia Partner Solutions. This diversified brand strategy allows the company to target various segments of the travel market, from budget-conscious consumers to luxury and corporate travelers, on a global scale.

Keywords: online travel agency, travel booking, hotel accommodation, vacation rentals, flight reservations, corporate travel, travel technology, B2B travel, global travel market, lodging