Expedia, Inc is partnering with Marriott International to enhance the latter's Vacations by Marriott platform via integrating its own successful package product.
As of Sept. 1, Marriott has been utilizing Expedia's technology to power Vacations by Marriott Hotel & Flight Packages, where guests can book not only hotel rooms but tours, attractions and ground transportation without leaving Marriott.com.
The partnership means that travelers can combine their room with a flight booking from the more than 475 Expedia airline partners en route to constructing their own vacation package.
In addition to added convenience for travelers, the integration is good news for hotel owners, considering package bookings tend to boast a longer length of stay, a longer booking window and half the cancellation rate when compared to a standalone hotel booking.
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"We believe there is considerable untapped opportunity between our two companies to drive value to hotel owners and travelers alike by strengthening our Vacations by Marriott's offering," said Marriott CEO Arne Sorenson in a statement accompanying Tuesday's announcement. "We are thrilled to launch this new product with Expedia's technology, and to explore new areas of partnership beyond our existing distribution relationship."
"Our investments in technology, marketing and data analysis help us to better serve partners and travelers around the world, and enable us to move our value beyond distribution, for the benefit of our partners," said Expedia, Inc CEO Dara Khosrowshahi in a statement.
The world's largest online travel company, Expedia's vast portfolio includes brands like Hotels.com, Orbitz and trivago, among others. The latest partnership comes after the company downplayed the potential negative impact brought on by recent direct-booking campaigns launched by Marriott and others.
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