Newest Expedia Travel Trendwatch Shows Some Travelers Planning to Extend Vacations This Summer

Year-over-year change in prices for flights, hotels and vacation packages allows shifts in consumer behavior

BELLEVUE, Wash., July 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Expedia.com®, the world’s leading online travel site, today released the summer issue of the Expedia Travel Trendwatch®. This issue of the Trendwatch® illustrates how industry dynamics have produced an abundance of values for travelers this summer in destinations around the globe – and how some consumer behaviors are shifting in order to take advantage of these opportunities.

The report also highlights the affordability of several European destinations this summer, as well as the best value U.S. destinations and tips for saving money on car rentals.

“Summer vacations have never been more affordable,” said Tim MacDonald, general manager of Expedia.com. “With year-over-year price reductions on flights, hotels and vacation packages in destinations worldwide, many Expedia® customers are taking advantage of these values by extending the length of their vacations.”

The complete Expedia Travel Trendwatch can be found at www.expedia.com/tips. Key highlights from this issue include:

    1.  Economic Climate Affects Customer Booking Patterns
          -- In order to stimulate demand, many hotels are offering
             complimentary nights and other promotions, and some consumers
             are leveraging this value to extend their vacations. According
              to a survey of Expedia.com customers, 34 percent of summer
             vacations planned this year are four to six days in length,
             compared to 26 percent last year.
          -- Expedia.com booking data shows that the booking window is
             shrinking, and consumers are increasingly booking closer to
             their travel dates. In fact, Expedia.com has seen an increase in
              trip purchases in the seven- to 13-day out booking time frame.
          -- Travelers are also increasingly purchasing trip insurance to
             ensure flexibility in their travel plans; there was a 12 percent
             increase in trip insurance purchased with airfare on Expedia.com
             for summer travel this year.

2. Europe is Affordable Again
— Due to reductions in the cost of jet fuel and the strengthening
of the U.S. dollar, the European vacation is again within reach
for many travelers. Compared to last summer’s prices, average
airfares to major European destinations have dropped for summer
2009 travel: London declined 23 percent, Paris declined 27
percent and Rome declined 26 percent.
Hotel prices this summer, compared to last summer, have also
dropped across Europe: average daily rates (ADRs) in Barcelona
are down 35 percent, ADRs in Rome are down 23 percent and ADRs
in London are down 25 percent.

3. Tips: Saving on Car Rentals
— Book Together & Save: Adding a car rental to a vacation package
(flight + hotel) could mean savings of up to 30 percent off
retail rates.
— Book Early: Reserve a car early and check back often for lower
prices – on Expedia, there are no change penalties.
— Search Thoroughly: Sometimes a larger car class can be less
expensive in a certain location based on the company’s
inventory. Take the time to review multiple car types while
you’re searching – you might be pleasantly surprised with what
you can fit into your budget.

The data included in the quarterly Expedia Travel Trendwatch is just a sampling of current consumer travel trends. For more information or regional statistics and trends, please contact us at http://press.expedia.com/.

About Expedia.com

Expedia.com is the world’s leading online travel site, helping millions of travelers per month easily plan and book travel. Expedia.com (http://www.expedia.com/) aims to provide personalized service, the latest technology and the widest selection of vacation packages, flights, hotels, rental cars, cruises and in-destination activities, attractions, and services. With the Expedia Best Price Guarantee, Expedia.com promises to offer to its customers the best rates available online for all types of travel. Expedia.com is an operating company of Expedia, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXPE).

Expedia, Expedia.com, Trendwatch, Expedia Travel Trendwatch and the Airplane logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Expedia, Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other logos or product and company names mentioned herein may be the property of their respective owners.

© 2009 Expedia, Inc. All rights reserved. CST: 2029030-40

SOURCE: Expedia, Inc.

Web site: http://www.expedia.com/

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