Where There's Life, There's Travel: Expedia Group's Commitment to Inclusivity
Jennifer Andre, vice president of business development at Expedia Group Media Solutions, took to the stage at the Skift Global Forum for a session titled, How Sustained Enthusiasm for Travel Underscores the Importance of Inclusivity.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an exponential increase in travel demand. Over the last 10 years, Expedia Group has helped book more than 1 billion trips and is dedicated to renewing its commitment to inclusivity and offering accessible offerings to travelers.
“We have a lot of economic uncertainty now," Andre told the audience. "I think everywhere we look in the world, there's some sort of geo-political turmoil. Even with all of that, travel demand is stronger than ever. Barry [Diller, chairman of Expedia Group] likes to say, 'where there's life, there's travel,' and we really truly believe that travel is a force for good. Therefore, the traveler is at the center of everything that we do.”
The media solutions team at Expedia Group has focused on using first- and third-party data to learn about what changes travelers would like to see. For example, using first-party data, Expedia found that U.S.-global travel search volumes increased by 25 percent in one quarter.
In early June, when the requirement to be tested for COVID before an international flight was lifted, Expedia saw a 10 percent increase in international flight searches. The boom of international travel is reflected in the amount of lodging searches, which recently has seen the highest growth in the company’s history.
The top travel destinations, contrary to what was seen during the pandemic, are focused on major cities, including New York City, Paris, and London.
London recently became one of the top 10 travel destinations for U.S. travelers. Expedia Group and London & Partners collaborated to reach U.S. travelers to highlight the diversity that the city's destinations have to offer. Expedia Group also worked with the City of London to highlight the diverse international food that London has to offer as well as to connect travelers with the roots of the city.
“Now what was unique about this video series is that takes travelers throughout London following the Selby brothers, who are chefs in a Michelin star restaurant called Evelyn's Table,” Andre explained.
Through its research, Expedia Group learned that travelers were seeking out experiences that would provide them with a deep, meaningful connection with the destination they're visiting.
“Travelers are shopping internationally again," said Andre. "They can, it's easier to do, and they want those meaningful experiences that are going to really connect them to a destination.”