Expedia, Inc., the world’s largest online travel company, released data from the first nine months of 2012 indicating that the company has partnered with a larger number of small hotel partners, defined as hotels with 50 rooms or less, and an increase in net transactions from this sector by nearly 30 percent year on year for that period. Small hotels represent about half of the hotels in Expedia’s direct global inventory.
By working with the Expedia group, small and independent hotels gain exposure to the more than 55 million travelers that visit Expedia group travel sites each month, which includes more than 100 branded sites in 70 countries; Egencia®, serving business travelers in 54 countries; leading discount travel site Hotwire®; as well as Expedia® Affiliate Network, which powers travel bookings for more than ten thousand affiliate websites. 

Moreover, the Expedia group exposes hotel partners on more than 135 mobile booking sites, in 60 countries in 35 languages, and through apps that have been downloaded more than 15 million times.  Hotel partners also benefit from exposure resulting from the Expedia group’s strategic marketing investment, which totaled approximately $1.5 billion in 2011.  These investments help reap big rewards for small hotels.

In Mexico, for example, Expedia formed new partnerships throughout the country in 2012 with more than half of new acquisitions being small properties, thereby advancing the company’s commitment to driving growth and contributing to brand positioning for these hotels.

“Speaking as someone with a small hotel, the Expedia group is an excellent partner that offers access to a global market. The company works with your needs and budget and allows you to work with a highly experienced business partner to reach thousands of potential customers. Six months since our opening, we have seen concrete results since working with the Expedia group. The company is well positioned and is highly respected,” said Victor Bonna, owner of La Pasion Hotel Boutique, located in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

”We have been working with the Expedia group for five years, and our results couldn’t be better: notable sales growth; increased brand recognition; and strong ties to our Market Managers,” said Vania Gonzalez, e-commerce manager from El Cielo hotel in Cancun. “Partnering with the Expedia group is a must, if you want to gain worldwide visibility; it should be the first option for every small hotel, as the company complements and expedites a hotelier’s work with their innovations and technology.”
“The Expedia group is proud to have a long-standing relationship with hotel partners around the world, big and small.  In Mexico alone, the Expedia group is proud to work with more than 2,000 properties, including small hotels who receive unmatched access to a world-wide market through our relationships,” said Pablo Castro, director of market management for Mexico and Central America. “We strongly believe that our growing relationships with such a large number of properties are a testament to our trusted capabilities.”

“The Expedia group gives us the opportunity to grow our business as a small hotel by opening doors in markets that we couldn’t reach alone. The company’s brand recognition is irrefutable,” said Blanca Cossio, reservations & e-commerce manager from Riviera del Sol hotel in Playa de Carmen. “In 2012 our sales grew 25%, and most of that growth is a direct result of our collaboration with the Expedia group. We have participated actively in marketing campaigns – including regular, seasonal, weekend and flash sale campaigns – resulting in increased room nights booked. With limited budgets, we rely heavily on the Expedia group’s team as an extension of our sales and marketing capabilities.”

“A key factor that continues fueling growth for Mexico on Expedia group sites is vacation package offerings, as they comprise an important percentage of all bookings made to the region,” added Castro. “Expedia group packages represent a convenient and attractive purchase option for consumers and, at the same time, hotel partners receive the benefit of extended booking windows and longer lengths of stay, while maintaining rate integrity.”