Expedia is a travel company that owns multiple travel related websites such as Hotels.com and Hotwire.com. The company offers travel bookings for hotels, airlines, and more through their 10,000 partners and can get people set up easily for whatever traveling they are planning. Over the years Expedia has been fortunate enough to acquire a good amount of companies to aid in growing and improving travel booking around the world. These are the five largest acquisitions that Expedia has made since their start back in 1996.
5. Mobiata – Unknown Amount
Many of Expedia’s acquisition deals have been kept private and the details or amount of most deals actually haven’t been released. In 2010 the company acquired the United States based mobile app developer Mobiata in order to make a greater push in the mobile market. The company deals with creating mobile apps specifically for travel companies and Expedia claimed that (at the time) this was their “most significant investment to date in addressing the mobile travel market.”
4. VacationSpot – $70.8 Million
Vacation Spot is a company that helps users to discover vacation rental properties or places to stay when you want to get away. The websites goal was to simplify the process behind planning a vacation and making sure everything was booked accordingly. It was a very smart decision by Expedia to acquire the company because it ties right in with what they are also trying to accomplish. Expedia acquired VacationSpot back in 2001 for $70.8 million.
3. Classic Custom Vacations – $78 Million
Classic Custom Vacations was another travel agency that focused more on booking guests into upscale high quality vacation homes or rentals rather than a general variety. The company was able to realize that certain people could afford to put out more money to travel to more luxurious destinations and stay in the best available properties while there. Classic Custom Vacations was purchased by Expedia in 2002 for $78 million.
2. Travelscape – $89.7 Million
Travelscape was the first company that Expedia bought, which took place way back in 2000. The company was a staple booking agent that allowed users to really plan out their entire trip through the single website by offering reservations and booking for hotels, cruises, flights, and even presented special deals going on. Travelscape had the ability to plan according to a specific budget and was a major acquisition for Expedia at the time which is why they put out $89.7 million to purchase the company.
1. Wotif – $657 Million
Wotif is a company that focuses on travel bookings primarily in Australia while also offering some international options. The company has been ranked as a top 15,000 most trafficked website on the internet and is very valuable to Expedia because it helps the company gain more traction in a country like Australia because Wotif already has the user base and popularity. The company was acquired a month ago for a huge $657 million, but is now 100% owned by Expedia.
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