Expedia Group is increasing its full-year financial projections after a successful second quarter, expecting bookings to grow between 3 and 5 percent this year compared to 2024.
Expedia is the latest travel company to turn optimistic after the second quarter; others, including Marriott and several airlines, are now also preparing a full-year prediction of what they believe the rest of the year will bring.
According to the travel company, which owns sites like Expedia, Hotels.com, Vrbo, Travelocity, Booking.com and other booking sites, booked room nights grew seven percent overall during the second quarter, spurred by growth outside of the United States.
Total gross bookings grew 5 percent, with a 17 percent growth in B2B bookings. Lodging bookings grew 6 percent, with hotel bookings up 8 percent from last year.
“We delivered a solid second quarter, surpassing our top and bottom line expectations while navigating a dynamic environment,” said Ariane Gorin, CEO of Expedia Group, “Our performance was driven by continued strength across B2B and Advertising and further progress on our key priorities. Based on our first half and ongoing trends, we have increased our annual guidance. We will continue to capitalize on our brands, supply, and technology to help travelers create memories and partners grow their businesses.”
The company also noted, like Marriott and others, that while budget-conscious travelers are more hesitant than in previous years, travelers with more discretionary income aren’t slowing down on their travel spending this year.
The increase in booking, especially B2B, led Expedia’s revenue to increase 6 percent too. Adjusted EBITDA, or earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization for the quarter grew 16 percent year over year. Shareholders took home $0.40 per share.
According to Reuters, shares in Expedia surged over 17 percent on Friday morning following the second quarter financial report result. Gorin also noted that July saw bookings in the U.S. increase, showing some optimism for the beleaguered travel industry.
Expedia has increased its full-year gross bookings and revenue margins by one percent each, expecting 2025 to grow both metrics by three to five percent.
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