Expedia Group's 25th annual Partner Event in Las Vegas was a whirlwind of innovation, networking and future-shaping discussions. For the hotel's advertising, marketing and distribution teams, this event was a treasure trove of insights and new opportunities. Here's a summary of the most interesting takeaways from Expedia Explore 2024.
The dazzling backdrop of Las Vegas sets the stage for some of the travel industry's brightest talent to gather. Over two days, leaders and experts shared their vision for the future and unveiled numerous new products and strategies designed to enhance the travel experience and drive business growth.
Future Revealed: Expedia's Spring Product Launches
Expedia's latest product launches, highlighted during the event, promise to revolutionize the way hotels connect with travelers. Key innovations include:
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Improved personalization tools
We leverage AI to provide more personalized travel recommendations.
Personalization is the key to securing customer loyalty. Expedia is harnessing the power of artificial intelligence to provide travelers with personalized experiences like never before. Enhanced personalization tools analyze user data to understand preferences and behavior, allowing hotels to provide personalized offers that resonate with each guest. This may include personalized room recommendations, tailored activity suggestions, and special offers tailored to your individual interests. By making each interaction more relevant, hotels can significantly increase engagement and satisfaction, ensuring guests feel valued and understood from the moment they start planning their trip.
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Romie: Your new AI assistant
Meet Romie, Expedia's AI assistant that will revolutionize travel planning. Romie joins the group chat to provide travel suggestions, summarize discussions, and write travel itineraries. Need real-time help? Romie monitors distractions and suggests alternatives on the fly. This smart assistant makes travel planning easy, increasing customer satisfaction and loyalty.
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Personal Calendar Genie
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Expedia's personalized itinerary builder is like having a personal travel planner in your pocket. This AI-powered tool creates personalized itineraries based on user preferences, recommended activities, restaurants, and more. Launched this summer via the Expedia app, it promises a personalized travel experience for every user.
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Quick Review Summary
Curating reviews is from last year. Thanks to Expedia's GenAI technology, customer reviews are now neatly summarized to give potential guests a quick, comprehensive look at your property. This feature simplifies the decision-making process and highlights the best parts of your hotel.
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Price and destination showdown
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Expedia's enhanced comparison tools make it easier than ever for travelers to choose the perfect trip. Compare flight and hotel prices, discover new destinations, and get all the information you need to book with confidence. This transparency increases booking confidence and conversion rates.
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Seamless booking experience
A streamlined booking process that reduces friction and increases customer satisfaction.
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Expedia's new seamless booking experience aims to eliminate common pain points in the booking process. By simplifying the booking steps, reducing the number of clicks required to complete a booking, and providing clear, concise information, the process becomes more intuitive and user-friendly. This not only improves the customer experience, but also reduces the likelihood of booking abandonment. For hotel operators, this translates into higher conversion rates and improved profits. Additionally, features like integrated payment options and real-time availability updates ensure the booking process is smooth, fast, and hassle-free.
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DIY Reservation Management
good bye. Customer service listens to music. Expedia's new self-service reservation management allows travelers to make changes, cancel and redeem flight credits directly through the app. This global launch from Expedia and Hotels.com increases guest satisfaction and reduces headaches for hotel staff.
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Power up your distribution
Expedia's optimized distribution platform is now available to regional chains and independent hotels. Control inventory and pricing, ensure price integrity, and gain actionable insights into performance. This is a groundbreaking tool for maximizing profits and efficiency.
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containment against fraud
Fraud costs the travel industry billions of dollars, but Expedia's Fraud Prevention as a Service (FPaaS) can help. This comprehensive solution protects your revenue and reputation by screening reservations, reducing unauthorized account access, and reducing chargeback losses.
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Loyalty is rewarded
Expedia's new advertiser-supported loyalty program allows destination partners to fund OneKeyCash™ for travelers booking hotels. This innovative approach encourages repeat bookings and increases engagement, making it a win-win for both partners and travelers.
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Influencer Travel Store
Travel influencers, rejoice! Expedia's Travel Store feature allows content creators to share recommendations directly from the Expedia app. The platform provides travelers with trusted, curated travel advice while increasing visibility and revenue for influencers.
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sustainability features
A tool to help travelers make eco-friendly choices, reflecting the growing demand for sustainable travel options.
Sustainability is becoming increasingly important to travelers, and Expedia's new tools are designed to help travelers make environmentally friendly choices. These features include filters for green-certified hotels, information about the property's sustainability practices, and the ability to offset carbon emissions directly through the booking platform. By highlighting eco-friendly options, hotels can attract eco-conscious travelers who prioritize sustainable practices. Not only does this help the environment, but it also strengthens the hotel's brand image as a responsible and forward-thinking company. For marketing teams, promoting these sustainability features can increase engagement and loyalty with a growing segment of travelers.
Women Leading the Charge: Focus on Empowerment
Expedia Group is setting a strong example with its “triad” of women in leadership roles. Ariane Gorin was recently appointed CEO, Julie Whalen has served as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) since 2022, and Rathi Murthy has served as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) since 2021. This leadership trio highlights Expedia's commitment to diversity and empowerment and demonstrates the significant influence of women behind the wheel. Innovation and strategic direction of the travel industry.
Additionally, Jennifer Andre, Vice President of Business Development, Media Solutions; Michele Rousseau, Senior Vice President, Global Brand and Creative; Reena Patil, Senior Vice President, Partner Products and Marketplaces; and Karen Bolda, Senior Vice President of B2B Products and Technology. Their insight and vision are driving the industry forward.
Bridging the Gap: New Advertising Opportunities
Expedia's travel media network has introduced new opportunities for both native and non-native brands. This expansion will allow hotels to leverage Expedia's expansive reach and sophisticated targeting capabilities to reach more guests.
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targeted campaign
Innovative advertising solutions to reach specific demographics and traveler types.
Expedia's new advertising solution is designed to help hotels reach their ideal guests more effectively. Hotels can take advantage of advanced targeting features to create campaigns tailored to specific demographics, interests, and behaviors. This means you can use your advertising budget more accurately and efficiently, with higher engagement rates and better ROI. Whether targeting business travelers, families, or adventure seekers, these tools allow hotels to deliver relevant messages that resonate with each customer segment. This targeted approach not only increases booking availability, but also improves the overall brand experience for travelers.
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collaborative campaign
Cross-industry partnership opportunities to increase brand visibility and engagement.
The introduction of collaborative campaigns opens up new possibilities for hotels to partner with other brands within and beyond the travel industry. These partnerships allow us to create unique co-branded experiences that appeal to a wider audience. For example, a hotel may partner with a local attraction or popular retail brand to offer exclusive packages. These collaborations can help you increase your brand visibility and reach, driving more traffic and bookings. By working together, brands can leverage each other's strengths and audiences to create a win-win situation that increases engagement and loyalty for both.
Networking Nirvana: Connecting Minds and Creating Opportunity
This event wasn't just about listening. It was about participation. From formal sessions to casual gatherings, networking opportunities were plentiful and invaluable.
- Round Table Discussion: These are intimate sessions where attendees can learn more about specific topics and challenges.
- Social events: An evening event that combines fun and networking and bonding in a relaxed atmosphere.
Vegas atmosphere finish
Expedia Explore 2024 was more than just an event. It has been a catalyst for change, innovation and connection. For hotel advertising, marketing and distribution teams, the insights gained and the relationships formed will be instrumental in navigating the future of travel. As we look ahead, the lessons learned in Las Vegas will undoubtedly guide us toward a more dynamic and prosperous travel environment.
Are you ready to implement these learnings into your strategy? Take your business to new heights with what's happening in Las Vegas!