Report details progress during 2021 and priority areas for 2022 and beyond.
Full report available here
SEATTLE – July 5, 2022– Today, Expedia Group released its annual
Global Impact Report, outlining how the company continues to contribute to the creation of a more
accessible, equitable, and sustainable travel industry for generations to come. This report outlines Expedia
Group’s efforts to help travelers experience the world in new ways and build lasting connections while having
a positive impact on their destinations. It also details the way these values are built into Expedia Group’s
operations and workplaces.
Last year was one of rebuilding globally across the travel industry as borders slowly reopened to travel. Expedia
Group worked with its partners, communities, and travelers to leverage this momentum toward positive impact,
including a $10.5 million donation to UNICEF to support vaccine equity through its Give the World a Shot initiative.
With employees spanning the globe and 200+ travel sites in over 70 countries, Expedia Group is committed to ensuring
travel is inclusive and responsible. This report summarizes progress against this commitment across three key focus
areas: Travelers, Environment, and Community. Underpinning that work is a strong governance structure designed to
guide responsible, transparent, and ethical action.
As detailed in the report, Expedia Group’s key highlights from 2021 include:
Travelers:
- Continued to work closely with UNESCO on an industry-first Sustainable Tourism Pledge. To date, 9,000+
organizations have signed the Pledge making a public promise to advance travel that puts care for the planet and
people first.
- Utilized its travel platform to identify inclusive travel options, such as LGBTQIA+-welcoming hotels.
- Initiated a formal commitment to reconciliation for Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
people through the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) program, prioritizing respect and connection between people,
cultures, and communities.
Environment:
- Proudly maintained carbon neutral status since 2017.
- Purchased renewable electricity equivalent to 100% of global office consumption.
- Awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification for its Seattle, Washington,
campus.
- Updated guidelines to promote only activities that uphold the organization’s animal welfare standards,
meaning no longer selling or promoting attractions and activities that include performances, interactions, and
swimming experiences with captive dolphins and whales.
Community:
- 2,500+ employees participated in Expedia’s 10th annual Month of Caring, an internal global
volunteer and donation activation.
- Continued commitment to gender and racial/ethnic representation – In 2021, 45 percent of Expedia
Group’s workforce was female, 37 percent of workforce at VP+ level was female, and 19 percent of U.S.
hires were from racially/ethnically underrepresented groups. (More on Expedia Group’s commitment to
representation can be found in its Inclusion
and Diversity Report.)
“According to our research, 65% of travelers are more willing to book with travel providers that identify their
practices as inclusive. Travelers, partners, and communities are seeking more responsible choices, and are looking
to us for resources and inspiration,” said Aditi Mohapatra, Vice President of Global Social Impact &
Sustainability at Expedia Group. “We are committed to building a more inclusive and sustainable travel
industry. Our Global Impact Report outlines our positive work done to date and serves as a launching point for our
further progress across key areas – economic advancement, barriers to access, and environmentally sustainable
travel. Expedia Group is well-positioned to address the multi-faceted challenges facing the travel industry and
deliver lasting impact for our stakeholders.”
A full list of initiatives and progress can be found in the 2021 Expedia Group Global Impact Report, available to
download here.
About Expedia Group
Expedia Group, Inc. companies power travel for everyone, everywhere through our global platform. Driven by the core
belief that travel is a force for good, we help people experience the world in new ways and build lasting
connections. We provide industry-leading technology solutions to fuel partner growth and success, while facilitating
memorable experiences for travelers. Our organization is made up of four pillars: Expedia Services, focused on the
group’s platform and technical strategy; Expedia Marketplace, centered on product and technology offerings
across the organization; Expedia Brands, housing all our consumer brands; and Expedia for Business, consisting of
business-to-business solutions and relationships throughout the travel ecosystem. The Expedia Group family of brands
includes: Expedia®, Hotels.com®, Expedia® Partner Solutions, Vrbo®, trivago®, Orbitz®,
Travelocity®, Hotwire®, Wotif®, ebookers®, CheapTickets®, Expedia Group™ Media Solutions,
CarRentals.com™, and Expedia Cruises™.