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Online Travel

Expedia Hedges Its Asia Bets With Brands, Affiliates and Investments

Dennis Schaal photo
Dennis Schaal

Photo Credit: Expedia CEO Mark Okerstrom (L) appeared at the Skift Global Forum in New York City September 27, 2017. The company says it is making strides in Asia Pacific. Skift

Skift Take

After a slew of acquisitions in 2014 and 2015, Expedia is focused on investing and executing. A sustained and rationally exuberant approach may work better in various markets in Asia Pacific this time around than previous efforts.

Expedia Group withdrew from its biggest bet in China in 2015 when it sold its majority stake in eLong, which had been a drain on profits for a decade, to rival Ctrip for $671 million. But the U.S.-based online travel agency hasn't abandoned the region. In the interim, Expedia has been quietly building its footprint in Asia Pacific. Its move last week to take 100 percent ownership of its Air Asia joint venture, which dates to 2011, is the latest signal. Although not as flashy as Booking Holdings investments in China's Ctrip ($1.3 billion), ridehailing service Didi Chuxing ($500 million), and e-commerce platform Meituan-Dianp

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