United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Expedia boss says content ‘fragmentation’ is unstoppable
There is no point trying to stop hotels and airlines from fragmenting the way they distribute their products, according to Expedia Corporate Travel president Jean-Pierre Remy
Referring to the current negotiations over content and fees between airlines and the global distribution companies, he said: “It’s a weird challenge. Hotels and airlines are looking to find the most efficient channels and are fragmenting their content through these channels.
“We are doing the opposite – trying to offer our clients any content at any time, bringing together the fragmented offering.
“The trend of fragmentation will continue so there is no point fighting it. Instead we have to develop ways to build direct connectivity.”
Remy said Expedia had grown its corporate business by 50% to over $1 billion gross bookings in 2006 and was now the world’s fifth largest travel management company.
But he admitted that in the UK Expedia has a smaller presence.
“We are probably around 10th or 12th in the UK but we plan to be the fifth within two to three years,” he said.
“I think that is achievable. We are number three in France and five in the world. We have come from nothing in five or six years, so we are growing fast.”
He said the online company was also looking to grow its presence in Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and Scandinavia, and would launch in Asia Pacific in 2007.
“We have built our next generation platform which, as a global platform, we can roll out worldwide,” he said.
by Bev Fearis
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
Tony from Gatto’s Pizza on Columbus’s Unique Pizza Trail
Sophia Hyder Hock on Global Social Inclusion in Tourism
Sustainable Tourism: Don Welsh on Community Values and Global Collaboration
Jane Cunningham: Enhancing European Engagement in Tourism
Kristin Dunne: Navigating Destination Strategy
Revolutionizing Mobile Connectivity: Boris Bijlstra on HUBBY eSIM
Capturing Glasgow’s Vibrancy: An Interview with Susan Deighan, Chief Executive of Glasgow Life
Lebua Hotel & Resorts: Rajan Khurana on Hospitality and Bangkok’s Charms
Sustainable Tourism and Growth: Insights from Chiravadee Khunsub from Tourism Authority of Thailand
Revolutionizing Travel: SmartSIM USA’s Dale Takio Unveils the Power of E Sims
TravelMole Interview with Hishan Singhawansa, Deputy CEO of Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, Sri Lanka
Unveiling the Essence of Magari Tours: A Dive into Authentic Italian Experiences
EU airports bring back 100ml liquid rule
British Airways passengers endure 11-hour 'flight to nowhere'
CLIA: Anti-cruise demos could cause itinerary changes in Europe
Co-pilot faints, easyJet flight issues ‘red alert’
Gatwick braces for strike