Expedia lifts outlook as travel demand stays strong
Robust third-quarter results and rising B2B sales boost confidence heading into the holiday season
Expedia Group raised its annual revenue and bookings forecast after a robust third quarter, pointing to sustained global travel demand through year-end. The results, driven by strong B2B growth and broad consumer resilience, position Expedia alongside Booking and Airbnb in reporting upbeat outlooks for the season.
Key takeaways
- Upgraded guidance: Expedia now expects full-year revenue to grow 6.5% and gross bookings 7%, both above previous forecasts and analyst expectations.
- Strong Q3 performance: Adjusted EPS of $7.57 beat Wall Street’s $6.94 estimate, while gross bookings rose 12% to $30.7 billion — the largest beat in two years.
- B2B momentum: Business-to-business sales drove a third of annual revenue, underscoring Expedia’s growing strength as a platform provider for other brands.
- Broad demand base: Room nights rose to 108.2 million, exceeding expectations, with gains across both luxury and budget segments.
- Market resilience: Despite concerns around the U.S. government shutdown, Expedia reported no visible slowdown in travel trends so far.
- Industry context: The upbeat report contrasts with mixed results from cruise lines and slowing hotel performance, suggesting Expedia’s diversified model is cushioning it from sector volatility.
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