Expedia Group B2B has launched a new set of AI-powered products and partnerships that aim to help companies in a range of sectors build travel into their customer experiences.
“For decades we’ve built the plumbing behind the scenes that makes travel work more connected, seamless and trusted—the supply, the pricing, the payments and service,” Alfonso Paredes, president B2B & chief commercial officer Expedia Group, said in a statement. “Now we’re making that infrastructure even easier for partners to plug into. With one connection, partners can build more complete travel experiences for their customers, capture more the trip, and do it with less complexity.”
AI Toolkit
At Explore 26, its annual partner conference, Expedia Group B2B previewed its in-development AI toolkit, which will roll out with select partners in the coming months.
The Intelligent Experience Platform, a set of composable AI components designed to help partners launch branded travel experiences, is at the platform’s core and is powered by Expedia Group intelligence. According to the statement, Expedia Group B2B “aims to reduce the time and investment required for partners to launch travel experiences and help them prepare for a future where travelers increasingly expect AI-assisted trip planning.”
Marketing and Media Capabilities
Expedia Group also announced marketing and media network enhancements.
Two new merchandising solutions aim to help Rapid API partners drive demand and improve conversion:
- Partners can now use their B2B Partner Portal account to plan and track marketing strategies.
- The new Merchandising API helps partners build compelling marketing experiences across platforms and channels.
Expedia Group Advertising shared enhancements to its Travel Media Network including:
- An enhanced AI-powered advertising portal with strategies like Max Room Nights bidding.
- Richer ad formats across search results, property pages, Trips, and checkout.
- Broader reach via DSPs and exclusive media partnerships
Expanding Ground Mobility
Expedia Group B2B also is expanding its car rental, ground transport and Insurtech solutions, and has entered into an agreement to acquire CarTrawler, an Ireland-based B2B platform powering travel brands. This deal follows Expedia Group’s recent acquisition of Tiqets, the Amsterdam-based activities and experiences platform. The company expects the acquisitions advance the growth strategy the company outlined to expand its Rapid API beyond lodging to include car, flights, activities and trip protection.
According to the statement Expedia Group B2B serves 75,000 partners across industry verticals along with 200,000 travel advisors.