History of Expedia Group
Expedia Group, founded in 1996 by Rich Barton and Lloyd Frink as a division of Microsoft, quickly grew to become a global leader in the online travel industry. Initially designed as a platform for booking flights and hotels, Expedia's early success allowed it to expand its offerings and rapidly gain market share. In 2001, Expedia was spun off from Microsoft and became a publicly traded company, marking a pivotal moment in its growth. Over the next few years, Expedia acquired several major brands, including Hotels.com, Hotwire, and Trivago, positioning itself as a one-stop destination for travelers looking to book flights, accommodations, rental cars, and activities.
The company continued to evolve throughout the 2000s and 2010s, expanding its global reach and leveraging technology to enhance its services. Expedia Group diversified its portfolio further, acquiring other brands like Orbitz, Travelocity, and Egencia, which enabled it to serve both leisure and business travelers. With a focus on data-driven insights and personalized experiences, the company embraced new innovations such as mobile apps and AI-driven recommendations to meet the needs of an increasingly tech-savvy audience.
Today, Expedia Group operates as a prominent online travel agency (OTA) with a vast network of services and platforms, serving millions of customers worldwide. It continues to invest in technology and global expansion, aiming to shape the future of travel by offering consumers more accessible, flexible, and personalized travel experiences. Through its various brands, Expedia Group remains a key player in the competitive online travel industry.