Skift Take

Voice search, along with other user experience changes, present challenges to the existing titans of online travel. The companies that are smart about handling that transition will prosper in a mobile-first world.

What could one day make Expedia obsolete?

Falling behind in the race to better integrate voice into the travel booking site user experience, said Expedia Inc. CEO Dara Khosrowshahi at last month’s Skift Global Forum 2016 in New York City, where we heard from CEOs and key executives of travel startups and established brands alike.

Khosrowshahi is convinced that voice is the next wave in travel search and booking, but poses a challenge to companies that adapt slowly to the new model of interaction. Moving closer to a mobile-first model will upend how online booking sites traditionally design their technology.

In a wide-ranging conversation with Skift executive editor Dennis Schaal, he also discussed the integration of HomeAway into Expedia along with the challenges of Airbnb’s enormous valuation, the coming peace in the online booking wars, and more.

Watch the complete discussion with Expedia’s Khosrowshahi below.

Read more coverage of Skift Global Forum 2016

At this year’s Skift Global Forum in New York City, travel leaders from around the world gathered for two days of inspiration, information, and conversation for panels such as this as well as solo TED-like talks on the future of travel.

Visit our Skift Global Forum site for more details about 2017 events, including our London event in April of 2017.

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Tags: expedia, sgf2016, skift global forum

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