United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Online travel giant reveals plunge in flight sales
Online travel giant Expedia saw a 10% increase in bookings during the fourth quarter of last year compared with the same period of 2010, primarily driven by a 19% rise in hotel bookings. However the company revealed a sharp drop in flight sales during the last three months of the year.
It said its bed bank Hotels.com, Expedia Affiliate Network, Hotwire and Egencia showed strong performances up to the end of 2011, but flight sales were down 8% due to an average 10% increase in fares.
Expedia, which span off its travel review site TripAdvisor into a separate entity last November, saw a 7% increase in domestic bookings and a 15% rise in international bookings during the fourth quarter to December 31.
Gross bookings for the whole year were up 12%, following an 18% rise in hotel bookings and a 5% increase in the average daily rates. Average air fares were up 11% year on year, but sales fell back 8% as a result.
Overall, Expedia’s revenue grew 7% for the fourth quarter. For the year, it was up 14%. Hotel bookings accounted for almost three-quarters of its worldwide revenue while flight sales made up just 9%
By Linsey McNeill
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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