Hopper Restructures With Job Cuts for the Second Time in a Year
Skift Take
Key Points
- Hopper conducted its second reorganization in a year, resulting in 60-65 layoffs, primarily in the direct hotel team.
- The restructuring is aimed at aligning with strategic goals and investing in key growth areas for long-term success.
- Hopper has formed partnerships with Uber and SMBC Group to bolster its B2B efforts and expand its global reach.
Summary
Hopper, an online travel agency, recently underwent its second restructuring in a year, leading to 60-65 job cuts, particularly affecting the direct hotel team. This move follows the reestablishment of a hotel supply deal with Expedia and aims to align with Hopper's strategic goals for future growth. Additionally, Hopper is focusing on expanding its B2B business through partnerships with companies like Uber and SMBC Group, while it has raised $730 million since its founding.
Online travel agency Hopper conducted a reorganization this month, its second in a little more than a year.
The restructuring included 60-65 layoffs, or about 10% of Hopper’s workforce. The direct hotel team took the brunt of the firings with about 20 employees impact there. Their jobs became tenuous when Expedia restarted supplying hotels to Hopper.
“Two weeks ago, we announced changes to our organizational structure to better align with our strategic goals and initiatives for the year ahead,” the Hopper spokesperson told Skift in response to an inquiry. “As part of this restructuring, we made the difficult decision to eliminate certain roles. This restructuring will enable us to focus on investing in key growth areas critical to the company’s long-term success.”
The announcement sounds similar in some respects to one earlier this month by the much larger Booking Holdings.
Restructured One Year Ago
In October 2023, Hopper restructured and cut 30% of its staff, or around 250 employees at the Montreal-headquartered company. At the time, Hopper stated its goal was to increase its B2B business, to bolster its global hotel supply, and get profitable.
Hopper’s hotel supply faced challenges after breakups with Expedia Group and Booking Holdings in 2023.
Regarding its B2B business, in 2023 Hopper entered into a partnership with Uber, supplying flights to Uber users in the UK.
In 2024, Hopper entered into a partnership with the largest credit card company in Japan, SMBC Group, to power its new travel portal.
A private company, Hopper has raised $730 million since its founding in 2007.
Note: We updated this story to provide more detail on Hopper’s layoffs.
Photo Caption: Fred Lalonde. Skift Global Forum 2023 in New York City. Skift
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