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
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
Robert Terrell: A Journey Through BB King’s Influence
Rochelle Hicks: Celebrating Mississippi’s Musical Legacy
Exploring Jacksonville with Katie Mitura: The Flip Side of Florida
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Boy falls to death on cruise ship
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Woman dies after going overboard in English Channel