What began as a belief that technology could open travel to more people, continues to guide us today. Our purpose is simple: helping more travelers experience our world.
Our Story
A history of inspiring experiences
History
Shaping travel since 1996
Expedia began as a scrappy startup inside Microsoft, with a bold idea: technology could transform travel, and exploration should be part of everyone’s life — not a luxury for the few. With a name combining “exploration” and “speed,” we embarked on a spirited journey that continues today, guided by that same enduring spirit.
Becoming a travel powerhouse
The early 2000s were about bringing more options to the table. Under IAC, we welcomed major names like Hotels.com, Hotwire, and Tripadvisor into our family of brands.
In 2005, we took a big step forward, spinning off as Expedia, Inc.: an independent, publicly traded company dedicated entirely to travel.
Going global
We expanded our reach into Asia and Europe and introduced new services, like cruise and car rentals, to make sure travelers could book their entire trip in one place. We also started building tools to help our partners reach the right travelers, creating better connections across the entire industry.
Stretching the boundaries
As the way people traveled began to change, we evolved with it. We saw that travelers wanted more than just hotels — they wanted whole homes. We brought HomeAway and Vrbo into the fold to offer vacation rentals, while also acquiring trusted brands like Orbitz, travelocity, and wotif. We also invested in trivago, giving people a powerful new way to compare prices and find the perfect stay.
Becoming Expedia Group
In 2018, we became Expedia Group, uniting all our brands and 20+ years of experience under a single goal: to be the bridge between the world’s travelers and the world’s travel providers. Instead of just selling trips, we started powering the entire industry, giving partners the tools to succeed and travelers more options to explore.
Building for the future
When the pandemic put the world on pause, we rallied our team’s expertise to improve our services and help partners and destinations endure. We modernized our technology, moving from separate systems to a single platform. It was a challenging time for the industry, but it allowed us to build a stronger foundation to support our partners and travelers when the world opened up again.
Where there’s life, there’s travel.
Travel is about more than going from A to B. It's about memories, shared connections, and expanding your outlook. For over three decades, we've helped travelers explore the world on their own terms, and we aren't stopping now.
Purpose
Driven to help the world explore
Opening more of the world to more travelers
70+
countries and destinations open for exploration¹
3.5M+
stay options — from luxury hotels to tree houses²
200K+
unique activities and experiences to enjoy³
Leadership
Meet our leadership team
Our leadership team shares a passion for opening the world for all and a commitment to building travel’s most trusted marketplace.
Executive Leaders
Guide our divisions and functions in delivering secure, seamless platforms that help travelers explore the world with confidence.
Travel Leadership Team
Shapes our global strategy and leads the teams building the travel experiences and technology that power our brands.
Board of Directors
Provides long‑term vision and independent oversight to ensure Expedia Group remains a trusted global travel leader.
Impact & Sustainability
Travel that makes a positive impact
This means safeguarding the environment and supporting local communities to keep global exploration rewarding for everyone.
How we make a difference
From volunteering to destination stewardship, addressing climate change, and supporting responsible business practices, our teams go the extra mile to make a positive impact on our planet.
Committed to a sustainable future
90%
absolute reduction of emissions goal by 2040⁴
$16M
in philanthropic funding⁵
100+
destinations increased climate capacity⁶
Inclusion & Diversity
A world where everyone is welcome
When people bring what makes them unique, innovation thrives. That’s how we create travel experiences that resonate with travelers, partners, and communities around the world.
Going beyond
Where we’re going next
As we enter our third decade, we remain fully dedicated to powering global exploration. Check out our newsroom for the latest on our growing partnerships, new features, and business milestones.
¹Expedia Group internal data, Jan 2026
²Ibid
³Ibid
⁴Of Scope 1, Scope 2, and upstream Scope 3 emissions
⁵in FY25
⁶via Destination Climate Champions Training in FY25