Expedia, Inc., the world’s largest online travel company, released data from the 1st nine months of 2012 indicating that the corporate has partnered with a bigger collection of small hotel partners, defined as hotels with 50 rooms or less, and a rise in net transactions from this sector by nearly 30 percent year on year for that period. Small hotels represent about 1/2 the hotels in Expedia’s direct global inventory.
By working with the Expedia group, small and independent hotels gain exposure to the greater than 55 million travelers that visit Expedia group travel sites every month, along with greater than 100 branded sites in 70 countries; Egencia®, serving business travelers in 54 countries; leading discount travel site Hotwire®; in addition to Expedia® Affiliate Network, which powers travel bookings for greater than 10000 affiliate websites.
Moreover, the Expedia group exposes hotel partners on greater than 135 mobile booking sites, in 60 countries in 35 languages, and thru apps which have been downloaded greater than 15 million times. Hotel partners also make the most of exposure due to the Expedia group’s strategic marketing investment, which totaled approximately $1.5 billion in 2011. These investments help reap big rewards for small hotels.
In Mexico, for instance, Expedia formed new partnerships during the country in 2012 with greater than half new acquisitions being small properties, thereby advancing the company’s commitment to compelling growth and contributing to brand positioning for these hotels.
“Speaking as someone with a small hotel, the Expedia group is a wonderful partner that provides access to a world market. The corporate works along with your needs and budget and lets you work with a highly experienced business partner to arrive thousands of potential customers. Six months since our opening, we’ve seen concrete results since working with the Expedia group. The corporate is easily positioned and is extremely respected,” said Victor Bonna, owner of l. a. Pasion Hotel Boutique, located in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.
”We were working with the Expedia group for 5 years, and our results couldn’t be better: notable sales growth; increased brand recognition; and powerful ties to our Market Managers,” said Vania Gonzalez, e-commerce manager from El Cielo hotel in Cancun. “Partnering with the Expedia group is a must, so as to gain worldwide visibility; it will be the primary option for each small hotel, because the company complements and expedites a hotelier’s work with their innovations and technology.”
“The Expedia group is proud to have an extended-standing relationship with hotel partners around the globe, big and small. In Mexico alone, the Expedia group is proud to work with greater than 2,000 properties, including small hotels who receive unmatched access to a worldwide-wide market through our relations,” said Pablo Castro, director of market management for Mexico and Central America. “We strongly believe that our growing relationships with this sort of large collection of properties are a testament to our trusted capabilities.”
“The Expedia group gives us the chance to grow our business as a small hotel by opening doors in markets that we couldn’t reach alone. The company’s brand recognition is irrefutable,” said Blanca Cossio, reservations & e-commerce manager from Riviera del Sol hotel in Playa de Carmen. “In 2012 our sales grew 25%, and most of that growth is a right away results of our collaboration with the Expedia group. We’ve got participated actively in marketing campaigns – including regular, seasonal, weekend and flash sale campaigns – leading to increased room nights booked. With limited budgets, we depend heavily at the Expedia group’s team as an extension of our sales and marketing capabilities.”
“A key factor that continues fueling growth for Mexico on Expedia group sites is vacation package offerings, as they comprise crucial percentage of all bookings made to the region,” added Castro. “Expedia group packages represent a convenient and engaging purchase option for consumers and, together, hotel partners receive the good thing about extended booking windows and longer lengths of stay, while maintaining rate integrity.”
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