Expedia

Leading online travel agency with significant advertising and media solutions business leveraging travel intent data

Expedia is one of the world's largest online travel agencies (OTAs), operating as a subsidiary of Expedia Group. The platform enables consumers to search, compare, and book travel services including flights, hotels, car rentals, vacation packages, cruises, and activities. Founded in 1996 as a division of Microsoft, Expedia became an independent company in 1999 and has grown into a dominant force in online travel distribution. While Expedia itself is primarily a consumer-facing travel booking platform rather than a pure AdTech company, it operates a significant advertising business through Expedia Group Media Solutions. This advertising arm leverages first-party travel intent data from millions of travelers across Expedia's portfolio to offer targeted advertising opportunities to travel suppliers, destinations, and brands. The platform provides display advertising, sponsored listings, and performance marketing solutions that allow hotels, airlines, and other travel providers to reach high-intent travelers at various stages of the booking journey. Expedia operates as the flagship brand within Expedia Group's portfolio, which includes other major travel brands like Hotels.com, Vrbo, Orbitz, Travelocity, and Hotwire. The company maintains a strong market position in the competitive OTA space, competing directly with Booking Holdings (Booking.com, Priceline) and other travel platforms. Its advertising technology capabilities have become increasingly important as the company diversifies revenue streams beyond traditional booking commissions.