Online travel giant reveals plunge in flight sales
Online travel giant Expedia saw a 10% increase in bookings during the fourth quarter of last year compared with the same period of 2010, primarily driven by a 19% rise in hotel bookings. However the company revealed a sharp drop in flight sales during the last three months of the year.
It said its bed bank Hotels.com, Expedia Affiliate Network, Hotwire and Egencia showed strong performances up to the end of 2011, but flight sales were down 8% due to an average 10% increase in fares.
Expedia, which span off its travel review site TripAdvisor into a separate entity last November, saw a 7% increase in domestic bookings and a 15% rise in international bookings during the fourth quarter to December 31.
Gross bookings for the whole year were up 12%, following an 18% rise in hotel bookings and a 5% increase in the average daily rates. Average air fares were up 11% year on year, but sales fell back 8% as a result.
Overall, Expedia’s revenue grew 7% for the fourth quarter. For the year, it was up 14%. Hotel bookings accounted for almost three-quarters of its worldwide revenue while flight sales made up just 9%
By Linsey McNeill
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026