Latest news with #Expedia
Business Insider
a day ago
- Business
- Business Insider
I'm Expedia's marketing chief. Here's how we're preparing for a future when people use AI to plan their vacations.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Jochen Koedijk, Expedia Group's chief marketing officer. It's been edited for length and clarity. The way consumers are using the internet to make their decisions is fundamentally changing. I have two kids, 10 and seven years old, and I think it's very unlikely they will ever put a query into a search box, as I've grown up doing. The way people are using voice and having real conversations is going to be a long-term change in how people are using the internet. What we're seeing today is that a lot of the inspirational travel searches are evolving rapidly with things like Copilot, ChatGPT, and even Instagram Reels. There are a lot of moments where my wife sends me Reels, and she's like, "Where is this?" And I have no idea. So then, we were like, what if we can develop something where you send those Reels to Expedia, and then we will tell you: "It's this destination, or this hotel. Here are a couple of things to do. The best time to visit is between May and July, and here are a couple of booking options so you can get started." Right now, it's still early access, which means it's only with Reels, but we're looking at other forms of content as well. It's a very different journey versus going to and typing in "best hotels in Miami with pool, minus spa." We're also focusing on the visibility of our brands in agentic search engines. It's really evolving. We've launched with Operator for OpenAI, which I still see as a precursor to an agentic interface because you're looking at the cursor moving on your screen. Of course, true agentic, where it's going, will be more behind-the-scenes. But it's very important to be early so that we can experiment and iterate. Another example is being a launch partner for Copilot Plus, which is the way Microsoft is evolving. There's so much development between each of these LLM providers and depending on which week of the month, there's a new model here, and things completely change. There are a lot of AI experts popping up left, right, and center. It's important for us to make sure that we do a lot of our marketing in-house — the majority — and that we further evolve our in-house functions to be ready for the future. Google is a very important partner of ours. A lot of our traffic is still from Google. The way they're using Gemini with AI Overviews is already impacting our existing traffic in a big way. We look to understand which search queries are triggering AI overviews, and then we look at our traffic trends, and we triangulate. So we could, for example, see that certain keyword buckets trigger more overviews than last month, and that will have a certain impact on traffic and conversion. Traffic may go down, but conversions may go up because the traffic becomes more qualified. I do believe the funnel — as we call it as marketers — will start to collapse more and more over time. We want to make it a lot more seamless so that there is not that kind of disconnect between the inspiration and the action.
Skift
2 days ago
- Business
- Skift
Summer Travel's Winners: Japan, Live Tourism, and Biz Travel
Despite talk of financial pressure, many are continuing to spend on summer travel. Many people plan to continue spending on travel this summer, even though some say they have concerns about affordability. That's the message from this month's wave of summer travel forecasts from travel brands and data providers – we reviewed 11 forecasts in all. Japan is leading with trending international destinations. Tokyo, followed closely by Osaka, gained the most share of overall international flight bookings versus last year, according to the Mastercard Economics Institute. Paris came in third. Vacationers say they are thinking carefully about their travel spending this summer, but some business travelers are hitting the road more often. More than half of travelers expect to be more price-conscious, with inflation the number one reason affecting travel decisions, according to a Wakefield Research poll of 11,000 consumers in 11 countries that was sponsored by Expedia. Global business travel continues to improve. Navan's data revealed business travel bookings for summer 2025 are strong, with flights booked through its travel management software up 10% year-over-year and up 25% year-over-year. U.S. Inbound Travel Uncertainty The U.S. domestic outlook is relatively strong. But the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) warned that the U.S. could lose $12.5 billion in international visitor spending this year. According to its study, the U.S. is the only country among 184 economies analyzed which is forecast to see international visitor spending decline in 2025. However, it is still too early to have hard data confirming a year-over-year drop in overall inbound international tourism. Skift Research recently wrote that "U.S. tourism would be damaged but continue to expand" if President Trump continued to target allies - and potential international visitors. It estimated that the U.S. travel sector might see a shortfall based on previous projected income in the magnitude of between $30 billion and $90 billion for the year. Some companies predict travel demand will be about the same as last year, yet their surveys also suggest widespread financial anxiety. About 70% of Americans said they planned summer travel in a survey done by Bank of America. Nearly 70% of Americans said they didn't feel confident about vacationing due to money concerns, in a survey by Ipsos sponsored by Allianz Partners, a travel insurance provider. Reality check: Both can't be fully accurate. However, a few emerging trends in types of trips are suggestive of how the summer may unfold. Events and Experiences Prioritized Americans are traveling for ticketed events, with at least one planned for this year among 63% of Americans, Allianz data showed. Mastercard's data also found that sports and meaningful experiences are big drivers. Major events happening this summer include FIFA Club World Cup, a tournament of the top 32 teams around the globe competing in the U.S. starting June 15. Lollapalooza, one of the most popular U.S. music festivals, with 400,000 attendees, is also this summer. In the UK, there is one of Europe's top three music festivals, Glastonbury which about 210,000 people attend. Priceline cited the Red Rocks Summer Concert Series in Denver and San Francisco's festival season – including August's Outside Lands Festival – as two of the top three most-searched events. For context, see Skift's megatrend 2025 Is the Year Live Tourism Becomes Unstoppable. Shifts in the Mix of Trips? Bank of America's research shows income is determining destination choices. Lower-income travelers increasingly stay domestic with road trips preferred, while middle and higher-income travelers are more likely to venture internationally. Trips lasting only one or two nights are a continuing trend. A Deloitte survey found that 41% of vacationers plan to take a trip of three nights or fewer this year, compared with 37% last year. Campspot, a booking platform for campgrounds, said more than 90% of travelers are planning short pop-up escapes (1–3 nights, budget-friendly, within 200 miles) and that about half of them are planning more short trips than in previous years.
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Travel + Leisure
2 days ago
- Business
- Travel + Leisure
This Region of Italy Is Trending With American Tourists for Summer 2025
Italy is a top summer travel destination for Americans; that's really nothing new. What could be as alluring as the idea of sipping Aperol Spritzes, gorging oneself on pasta, and strolling sun-drenched cobblestone streets? And while major cities like Rome, Florence, and Venice will always be popular for those experiences, other destinations across the southern European country are experiencing a boom in popularity this summer. According to Expedia's 2025 Summer Travel Report, people are seeking out more beaches and coastlines and fewer duomos for their Italian summer vacation. Based on Expedia searches for travel between June 1 and Aug. 31, the Campania region of Italy had the largest spike in interest year over year. Searches for the region increased by 210 percent since 2024. That's not too surprising, considering Campania's geographic location. Located inn Southern Italy, Campania has 311 miles of Tyrrhenian Sea coastline and stunning turquoise waters. Hands down, Campania is home to some of the best beach towns and most iconic sites in Italy. Notable destinations include Salerno, Naples, Positano, Amalfi, Pompeii, and Sorrento. In addition to more well-known coastal cities, there's also some lesser-known gems, like the hidden beach behind a fjord in the town of Furore. Campania isn't the only Italian destination experiencing a major spike in popularity compared to 2024. Alghero, on the island of Sardinia, saw a 110 percent increase in search interest. The city is one of T+L's most beautiful places in Italy and offers numerous beaches, grottos, and cliffs to explore. But beach destinations aren't the only things Americans are seeking out, as evidenced by the third trending Italian location: Lombardy. Situated in Northern Italy, the region is famous for Lake Como, Milan, lakefront resorts, and charming medieval villages. So, if you're planning your own Italian getaway, consider expanding your search to include island beaches, cliffside hotels, and lakefront resorts.
National Post
2 days ago
- Business
- National Post
Scene+ Travel, Powered by Expedia Launches Travel Packages – Offering Incredible Points Earning, Redemption, and Savings Opportunities to Its Members
Article content To celebrate, throughout the month of June, Scene+ will offer 3,000 bonus points for members who book a travel package of three or more nights Article content Article content TORONTO — Scene+ members can now book travel packages through Scene+ Travel, Powered by Expedia, giving them access to new ways to save and opportunities to earn and redeem points when planning their next travel adventure. Plus, when redeeming their Scene+ points for a travel package – airfare and hotel, members can now also earn points on the hotel portion of their package. Article content 'Our members have been clear with us – they want more opportunities to earn points and greater flexibility when it comes to booking travel,' said Candice Troupe, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Partnerships at Scene+. 'This is just the latest example of our commitment to provide Scene+ members with unique offers and new ways to earn and redeem Scene+ points on the things that matter the most to them.' Article content As Canadians look for ways to stay home and explore their own country, Scene+ Travel, Powered by Expedia makes that easier with offers that focus on domestic travel to cities like Vancouver, Halifax, Toronto, Calgary and Montreal. Members looking to travel the globe will also have access to promotions for popular international destinations like Cancun, London, Tokyo and Mumbai. Article content There are no limitations on destinations and Scene+ members have the flexibility to pay with points, their preferred payment card, or a mix of both. When booking packages in June, members can earn 3,000 bonus points and as always there is no minimum points balance required to redeem towards any package. Having a Scotiabank Scene+ credit card remains the best and fastest way for members to earn Scene+ points and travel faster. Members who pay with an eligible Scotiabank Scene+ credit card can earn up to 6X the points on any booking. Article content Scene+ is a carefully curated rewards program offering its more than 15 million members the opportunity to earn points in a wide variety of ways, in a manner that suits their buying habits and lifestyle. Trust is at the core of the program – members trust that Scene+ and its partners deliver consistent value across product and service categories that have impact in their lives. Through its relationship with Scotiabank, Scene+ members have an opportunity to accelerate their points-earning potential with eight options on credit or debit cards that give members access to a whole new level of rewards and value. More info at Article content Expedia Group, Inc. brands power travel for everyone, everywhere through our global platform. Driven by the core belief that travel is a force for good, we help people experience the world in new ways and build lasting connections. We provide industry-leading technology solutions to fuel partner growth and success, while facilitating memorable experiences for travelers. Expedia Group's three flagship consumer brands include: Expedia ®, ®, and Vrbo ®. For more information, visit Follow us on X @expediagroup and check out our LinkedIn. Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content Media information: Article content Article content Article content
Business Wire
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Scene+ Travel, Powered by Expedia Launches Travel Packages – Offering Incredible Points Earning, Redemption, and Savings Opportunities to Its Members
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Scene+ members can now book travel packages through Scene+ Travel, Powered by Expedia, giving them access to new ways to save and opportunities to earn and redeem points when planning their next travel adventure. Plus, when redeeming their Scene+ points for a travel package – airfare and hotel, members can now also earn points on the hotel portion of their package. 'Our members have been clear with us – they want more opportunities to earn points and greater flexibility when it comes to booking travel,' said Candice Troupe, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Partnerships at Scene+. 'This is just the latest example of our commitment to provide Scene+ members with unique offers and new ways to earn and redeem Scene+ points on the things that matter the most to them.' As Canadians look for ways to stay home and explore their own country, Scene+ Travel, Powered by Expedia makes that easier with offers that focus on domestic travel to cities like Vancouver, Halifax, Toronto, Calgary and Montreal. Members looking to travel the globe will also have access to promotions for popular international destinations like Cancun, London, Tokyo and Mumbai. There are no limitations on destinations and Scene+ members have the flexibility to pay with points, their preferred payment card, or a mix of both. When booking packages in June, members can earn 3,000 bonus points and as always there is no minimum points balance required to redeem towards any package. Having a Scotiabank Scene+ credit card remains the best and fastest way for members to earn Scene+ points and travel faster. Members who pay with an eligible Scotiabank Scene+ credit card can earn up to 6X the points on any booking. ABOUT SCENE+ Scene+ is a carefully curated rewards program offering its more than 15 million members the opportunity to earn points in a wide variety of ways, in a manner that suits their buying habits and lifestyle. Trust is at the core of the program – members trust that Scene+ and its partners deliver consistent value across product and service categories that have impact in their lives. Through its relationship with Scotiabank, Scene+ members have an opportunity to accelerate their points-earning potential with eight options on credit or debit cards that give members access to a whole new level of rewards and value. More info at ABOUT EXPEDIA GROUP Expedia Group, Inc. brands power travel for everyone, everywhere through our global platform. Driven by the core belief that travel is a force for good, we help people experience the world in new ways and build lasting connections. We provide industry-leading technology solutions to fuel partner growth and success, while facilitating memorable experiences for travelers. Expedia Group's three flagship consumer brands include: Expedia ®, ®, and Vrbo ®. For more information, visit Follow us on X @expediagroup and check out our LinkedIn. © 2025 Expedia, Inc., an Expedia Group company. All rights reserved. Expedia Group and the Expedia Group logo are trademarks of Expedia, Inc. CST: 2029030-50
