Expedia Group, Inc. - EXPE STOCK NEWS

Expedia Group (NASDAQ: EXPE) has appointed Shilpa Ranganathan as Chief Product Officer, marking her return to the company. Ranganathan brings over 25 years of expertise in building customer-centric products and will lead the product and design teams. She most recently served as Corporate Vice President at Microsoft, where she led Windows end-user, developer, and marketplace teams for 16+ years.

Prior to Microsoft, Ranganathan worked at Expedia for three years on the product team responsible for Expedia.com, Expedia.ca, and private label products. She will join the Travel Leadership Team in January, based in Seattle, reporting directly to CEO Ariane Gorin.

Expedia Group has announced a special initiative combining Travel Tuesday and Giving Tuesday on December 3. For every booking made on their US, CA, and UK sites, the company will donate $5 (up to $1M) to the Made to Travel Fund, a donor-advised fund at Percent Impact Foundation.

The Made to Travel Fund supports nonprofits focused on removing barriers to travel and has already awarded over $2.5M in grants. These organizations work to empower underserved travelers and ensure they feel safe and welcome during their travels, aligning with Expedia Group's commitment to making travel more inclusive and accessible for all.

Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo have launched their biggest travel sale of the year, running from Nov. 22 to Dec. 4. Members can save 30% or more on select hotels through Expedia and Hotels.com, plus up to 15% on rental cars. Vrbo is offering discounts on vacation rentals, with average savings of 10% for week-long stays and 20% for monthly stays in destinations like Gatlinburg, Orlando, and Breckenridge. All deals are valid for travel until Dec. 15, 2025, and require logging into or signing up for a free One Key account.

Expedia Group (NASDAQ: EXPE) reported strong Q3 2024 results with notable growth across key metrics. Room nights increased 9% year-over-year, while total gross bookings reached $27.5 billion, up 7%. Revenue grew 3% to $4.1 billion, despite a 2-point negative FX impact. B2B performance was particularly strong, with gross bookings up 19% and revenue growing 18% to $1.2 billion. The company's lodging segment saw 8% growth in gross bookings to $20.0 billion. Financial highlights include a 61% increase in net income and 76% growth in diluted EPS to $5.04. The company also announced a CFO transition, with Julie Whalen stepping down from her role and board position.

Expedia Group has released a new research study titled 'Journeys for All: An Expedia Group Study on Inclusion in Travel', focusing on travel barriers faced by underserved communities in the United States. The study reveals that 80% of underserved travelers, including Black, Latino, LGBTQIA+, and travelers with disabilities, encounter significant challenges throughout their travel experiences. The research examines various stages of the travel journey, from planning to destination experiences, highlighting the need for industry-wide changes to promote inclusivity and build a more diverse visitor base.

Expedia Group released insights on inclusive travel practices for vacation rental hosts, highlighting the growing importance of serving underrepresented travelers. The study reveals that 40% of underserved travelers feel by their identity when selecting destinations. Notable findings include that 71% of underserved travelers prefer brands supporting diversity initiatives, and these travelers spend an additional five hours researching safe and welcoming accommodations. The report emphasizes that 61% of Black and Latino travelers prioritize reviews from similar backgrounds, while 55% of LGBTQIA+ travelers value recommendations from their community.

Expedia Group (NASDAQ: EXPE) has appointed Ramana Thumu as its new Chief Technology Officer. Thumu will lead the company's technology organization, overseeing engineering, data, artificial intelligence, cloud platforms, and security. He brings over 20 years of experience in leading transformative tech initiatives, most recently serving as Chief Product and Technology Officer at Fanatics Commerce.

Thumu's role will involve capitalizing on Expedia Group's recent tech and platform investments. He will join the Travel Leadership Team, reporting directly to CEO Ariane Gorin, and will be based in San Francisco starting December. Prior to Fanatics, Thumu spent a decade at eBay, where he was key in developing various platforms that fueled global growth.

Expedia Group unveiled Unpack '25, an annual data-driven outlook for travel trends in 2025. The report, based on first-party travel data, insights from 25,000 travelers, and industry innovation, highlights eight noteworthy trends:

1. Detour Destinations: Travelers are adding less-known spots near popular hotspots to their itineraries.
2. Goods Getaways: Trips centered around acquiring unique local products.
3. All-Inclusive Era: Gen Z embracing stress-free, all-inclusive resorts.
4. Hotel Restaurant Renaissance: Increased focus on hotel dining experiences.
5. JOMO Travel: Embracing the joy of missing out for relaxation.
6. The Phenomena-List: Travel to witness natural phenomena.
7. Set-Jetting: TV and movie-inspired travel destinations.
8. One-Click Trips: Simplified booking through social media.

The report also provides detailed insights into each trend, including popular destinations and consumer preferences.

Expedia Group has launched 'Journeys for All: An Expedia Group Study on Inclusion in Travel', a pioneering report aimed at fostering a more inclusive travel community. The study identifies shared travel challenges faced by underserved groups, including Black, Latino, LGBTQIA+, and travelers with disabilities. It provides essential data and key recommendations for the travel industry to better serve underrepresented travelers.

The report highlights persistent pain points that need immediate attention and action, offering recommendations based on firsthand insights. Expedia Group emphasizes that embedding inclusive practices across products and services not only enhances brand appeal and loyalty but also creates significant growth opportunities by meeting the needs of more travelers.

The company calls for a collective effort from all corners of the travel industry to create meaningful and sustainable change, improving experiences for all travelers. The principles outlined in the report serve as a starting point for providing a universally welcoming travel experience.