Consolidation hit the online travel industry this week when web giant Expedia announced a deal to buy Italy-based Venere.com.

The purchase of Venere, which offers users a choice of 26,000 accommodation providers in Europe and the US, will boost Expedia’s tally of hotel properties  in Europe, the Middle East and Africa by 10,000.

President and chief executive officer Expedia Inc Dara Khosrowshahi said: “Acquiring Venere will bring a well-known, respected European consumer brand to the Expedia portfolio. Additionally, it will immediately expand our supply footprint in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and enable Expedia to diversify our business model approach to hotel partners worldwide." By Dinah Hatch