Expedia and Diamond Resorts International have partnered in an innovative agreement covering
marketing, distribution and lead generation. Under the terms, Expedia will
provide global distribution for DRI resort destination offers on Expedia-
and hotels.com- branded sites worldwide; generate leads and qualify
travelers interested in DRI vacation ownership; and provide concierge
services to guests at DRI resorts.“This is a groundbreaking deal in how it harnesses the unmatched value
of Expedia’s online and offline travel marketplace,” said Doug Miller, vice
president of Expedia Media Solutions Group. “It highlights Expedia’s
ability to deliver value to our partners not only as a distribution
channel, but as a strategic marketing partner.”

  This is one of the most sophisticated deals of its magnitude in online
travel in terms of the integration of multiple Expedia business
capabilities for a single partner. It covers online media, marketing and
advertising; distribution for DRI resort properties worldwide;
in-destination concierge services and lead generation; Expedia’s private
label technology to power travel bookings on DRI’s own websites; and
corporate travel services by Egencia, an Expedia, Inc. company.

  “This venture brings a new level of marketing to the mainstream and
propels the capabilities of both companies across multiple vertical
markets. It is truly a unique endeavor and creates a paradigm shift for the
vacation ownership industry,” said Simon Crawford-Welch, Ph.D., R.R.P.,
president and chief operating officer at DRI.

  “Expedia’s extraordinary online capabilities coupled with its offline
presence in key tourist destination markets provide DRI with unparalleled
reach to tap consumers with vacation ownership offers. Additionally, DRI’s
more than 380,000 existing owners, members and guests worldwide will have
the opportunity to benefit from Expedia’s trusted travel services,” says
James R. Danz, RRP, chief marketing officer at DRI. “We see this
partnership as a creative approach to leveraging Expedia’s strengths to
reach our target customers while expanding our benefits platform within THE
Club(SM) at Diamond Resorts International and adding to the quality level
of hospitality services we provide to our owners, members and guests.”
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