Expedia News

OTAs are mirroring global macro trends, but are also hurting as airlines cut back on capacity to cut costs.

We said this was big news last week, but if Booking.com's success with both customers, sellers, and investors is any barometer Expedia's move will be welcomed by everyone.

Expedia is looking to push its travel expertise with this new campaign and tie into the inspirational nature of travel rather than advertising its deals or site functionality.

If the ruling is upheld, then parroted elsewhere, we could see some interesting competition. But that’s a big “if,” as it calls into question whether a seller has the right to establish pricing of its own products through various retail channels.

Small travel agencies have long complained that pricing agreements between large hotel chains and the OTAs limit how they can price rooms, and it looks like someone is finally listening.

From outward appearance, Expedia's new Traveler Preference program introduces more choice and appears to be a great thing for hotel guests.

Ever since its split with TripAdvisor, Expedia's moved quickly ahead, both to reinvent itself as the most social of the OTAs to one that's likely the only challenger to Priceline's suite of sites.

The dispute over which prices OTAs are expected to pay local taxes on is playing out in several municipalities, making it clear that state laws need to be updated -- and that local governments are starved for extra revenue.

Expedia can decide to pick its spots when it decides to play hardball over the hotel tax issue, but will it need to change its strategy as more cities follow in Arcadia's footsteps?

Expedia's new and inspirational "Find Yours" advertising campaign really sets a new social-media-driven tone.