Tag Archives: Expedia Group

Expedia Group to provide stress-free and frictionless travel

Expedia Group and business strategy firm Magid released the Online Travel Friction Index finding stating that travellers want suppliers to offer a seamless travel experience and to effectively handle any challenge during their travels. The research is aligned with Expedia Group’s priority focus to unleash the power of its platform to build out traveller and partner solutions that can help knock down the barriers to travel, making it more easier, enjoyable, attainable, accessible and in doing so, ultimately bring the world within reach for billions of people around the globe. In 2018, Expedia Group spent more than $1.6 billion in technology with a focus on making its platform seamless for both partners and travellers. The Group’s massive efforts and investment in research and development over this decade have resulted in significant benefits for both travellers and partners, including a reduction in distribution costs. Cyril Ranque, Group President of the Travel Partners Group, Expedia Group, said, “Expedia Group is focused on connecting the world, by enabling discovery, search and booking of flights, hotels, transportation, and activities – in a low stress, low friction manner. Our technology-first platform is dedicated to providing a one-stop, easy and convenient experience for travellers to discover and book their trip with all the information they need to make the best and most informed selection.”

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Saudi tourism forecast growth in religious and business travel

According to the latest data released by various indicators Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has seen an exponential increase of tourists from UAE, USA and UK over 2018 which secured a continued growth in the hotel sector.  A report by Colliers reveal that international arrivals to Saudi Arabia are expected to increase 5.6 per cent per year from 17.7 million in 2018 to 23.3 million in 2023. According to the Savills report, recent tourism growth in Saudi Arabia has been driven by three key demand pools – leisure, pilgrim and corporate visitors. Paula de Keijzer, Senior Director Market Management, Africa, Indian Ocean, Middle East and Turkey, Expedia Group, said, “Major hotel groups are driving construction trends across the country as they aim to meet the demands of an ever-increasing number of domestic tourists and international visitors. When it comes to brand affinity and customer loyalty, it is essential to engage at each level of the customer journey. Tools, data and insights available via OTA extranet sites, like Expedia Partner Central (EPC), offer hoteliers the opportunity to inspire and convert travelers, set expectations, create personalised experiences, identify and address issues to better meet guest needs, improve guest experience and drive repeat bookings.” With travel bookings in the Kingdom considered the largest in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), the power of the international traveler growth to Saudi Arabia is expected to remain strong.  USA saw more than 110 per cent year on year growth in demand compared to the same period in 2017 with almost 45 per cent share of total room nights, UAE saw a whopping year on year growth of above 140 per cent than last year with almost …

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