Expedia.com.au reveals its Top 10 best beach destinations

Beaches, bays and impressive coastlines beckon almost all Australian travellers. However, not everyone is wowed by the same waves, and everyone has their own idea of what their perfect beach might be. Expedia.com.au, operated by Expedia, Inc., the world’s largest online travel company, has released their top 10 best beaches list. Some are off the beaten track, while other lesser known beauties lie in the heart of already iconic locations overlooked by tourist hordes and best known to locals. Read more

Latest HiFX Foreign Exchange Index reveals top destinations for travellers on the Australian Dollar

With the Australian Dollar surging past parity against the US Dollar and still hitting record highs against other currencies, now more than ever is the time to dust off the passport and head overseas. To find out where Aussie travellers get the best bang for their travel buck, online travel company Expedia, in conjunction with foreign exchange specialist HiFX, has released its latest Expedia® HiFX Foreign Exchange Index.

According to the latest Expedia HiFX Foreign Exchange Index, Asia is currently the best value-for-money region in the world, with three out of the top 10 best value destinations being in Asia. Read more

For five weeks, five Expedia customers a day will be refunded the cost of their travel booking

For Australians planning to book a holiday in the next few weeks, where they book will really matter. To celebrate Expedia’s 5^th birthday in Australia, Expedia.com.au, operated by Expedia, Inc., the world’s largest online travel company, is giving five people every day, for five weeks, a refund on their travel purchase. 

Whether they have booked a flight, hotel, car hire or complete holiday package, all Expedia.com.au customers between 23 August and 26 September will be in the draw to win back the value of their travel purchase!  Read more

Expedia, Inc, the world's largest online travel company and operator of the Expedia.com.au^TM and Expedia.co.nz websites in Australasia, today unveiled its first television and cinema brand campaign in Australia and New Zealand. The campaign launches tonight in cinema and will roll out on national television in both countries throughout May.

The company also unveiled a redesigned brand logo and new tagline for the two Australasian websites.

The new Expedia® brand is built around a simple yet powerful premise: Where you book matters™. Read more

Despite the strength of the Australian Dollar making the decision between an international or domestic holiday difficult, getting the best value for money is still the number one priority for savvy Aussie travellers. For those planning a trip within Australia this year, it is important to know that the costs of common holiday items can vary across the country. Read more

Expedia, Inc, the world's largest online travel company and operator of the Expedia.com.au^TM and Expedia.co.nz websites in Australasia, has announced the appointment of Nicolas Chu as General Manager, Australia and New Zealand. In this role, he is responsible for the development and operation of the company in Australasia.

Prior to this role, he was Director, Retail and Product Strategy for Expedia Asia Pacific, responsible for Expedia’s websites in Australia, New Zealand, Japan and India.

Mr Chu has several years’ experience in website strategic vision and has impressive capabilities in e-commerce retailing, advanced technologies, project management, as well as online marketing strategies and usability. Read more

First partnership of its kind globally between a low-cost carrier and an online travel agency

AirAsia, the world’s best low cost airline and Expedia, Inc., the world's largest online travel company, today announced the launch of a new joint venture company covering Asia Pacific and offering a complete range of great value flights, hotels, and holiday packages.

This is the first partnership of its kind globally between a low cost carrier (LCC) and an online travel agent (OTA).  This “marriage made in heaven” between the world’s largest online travel company, and the world’s most innovative airline, allows both companies to build on each other’s strength in bringing happiness through travel to the world’s travellers. Read more

Expedia, Inc., the world's leading online travel company, has announced the launch of its new Singapore website – www.expedia.com.sg – a travel booking website designed specifically to meet the needs of travellers from Singapore.

The new website marks the company's entry into Southeast Asia, and is the fifth Expedia® site in the Asia Pacific region, adding to its existing regional presence in Australia, New Zealand, Japan and India. Expedia, Inc. also has a presence in China through a controlling investment in eLong™.

The new Expedia Singapore website currently offers hotel bookings and will include air fares and packages later this year. Read more

Expedia.com.au has swept the board, taking out the majority of categories for Canstar Blue’s inaugural Most Satisfied Customers award for online accommodation bookings.

Canstar Blue surveyed 2,500 Australian consumers across a range of categories to measure and track customer satisfaction. The survey compared Wotif.com.au, Webjet.com.au, Lastminute.com.au, Hotel.com.au and Expedia.com.au. 

Nicolas Chu, Managing Director, Expedia Australia and New Zealand, said: “We are thrilled that Expedia has been recognised for its outstanding customer service. Read more

Expedia.com.au to hand over the keys to its new Facebook page for one month

Calling all social media aficionados! Online travel company Expedia.com.au is giving Australians the chance to take over the reins of its brand new Facebook page for one month and will stand the chance to win $10,000.

From 4 February until 7 March, Expedia.com.au’s  Facebook page will be in the hands of three shortlisted applicants acting as interim administrators with one being selected as the winner. All they have to do to be in the running for $10,000 is to build Expedia.com.au’s online community by creating and posting the most engaging Expedia-relevant content on the company’s Facebook Wall. Read more

Local star Jackman and Richard Branson overwhelmingly most popular flight partners

They may be heroes of the stage and screen but would you want to sit next to them on an aeroplane? To coincide with its FriendTrips Facebook competition, Expedia.com.au asked Australian Facebook users* which home-grown and international celebrities they would most like to sit next to on a flight. Read more

Expedia.com.au’s 2011 sporting events travel calendar for sports buffs

Australians’ passion for all things sport is hardly a secret, so it should not come as a surprise that travelling to all corners of the globe to watch our favourite sport or sporting team in action is a popular way for many Australians to spend their holidays.

To make the most of a well-earned break as well as to get a ‘shot’ of their favourite sport, Expedia.com.au™, operated by Expedia, Inc., the world’s largest online travel company, has compiled a calendar for Australians listing the best sporting events globally in 2011 along with tips for getting the most out of the destination hosting the events. Read more

Expedia.com.au names its top 10 ‘hot’ destinations for 2011

The Australian Dollar’s strong performance against the US Dollar and other major currencies means that Aussie travellers are spoilt for choice when it comes to travelling internationally in 2011.

According to recent flight bookings on Expedia.com.au, operated by Expedia Inc., the world's largest online travel company, medium- and long-haul destinations such as North America and Europe are proving to be favourites among Aussie travellers, with some destinations recording almost triple-digit year-on-year growth.

To help travellers on their way to planning their holidays, Expedia.com.au has launched its list of ‘hot’ destinations for 2011. Read more

Expedia lists the best resorts for the Northern Hemisphere ski season

With the start of the Northern Hemisphere ski season only a few weeks away, keen Australian skiers are readying themselves for a different kind of ‘summer’ holiday. Home to some of the best ski resorts in the world, countries such as Canada, Japan, USA and Austria are bracing themselves for a surge of Australians heading to the winter ski slopes this season, particularly given the continued strength of the Aussie Dollar.

According to recent flight bookings* on Expedia.com.au, operated by Expedia Inc., the world's largest online travel company, ski holidays are proving popular among Australians as destinations in these countries have all recorded significant December bookings growth. Read more

Latest Expedia Foreign Exchange Index reveals the top ten destinations where the Australian Dollar goes furthest

As the Australian Dollar soars to record highs against some of the world’s major currencies, leading Australian travel website Expedia.com.au^TM (owned by Expedia, the world’s largest online travel company), in conjunction with foreign exchange specialist HiFX, has released its latest Expedia® Foreign Exchange Index, revealing the top ten destinations around the world where Australian travellers will get the best value for their money. The verdict is clear: with eight out of the ten currencies being from Europe, Europe is currently the undisputed Aussie Dollar holiday hotspot! Read more

Have you ever booked a hotel only to find that it’s on the wrong side of town? Expedia.com.au has created a comprehensive “mapplet” in Google Maps, which is designed to help customers choose their hotel at their chosen destination. The mapplet, launching today and visible on http://maps.google.com.au will offer an interactive map, booking facilities for hotels and attractions, and independent user reviews. 

To use the mapplet, the user goes to the “My Maps” tab on Google Maps Australia at http://www.maps.google.com.au and selects Expedia Hotels & Attractions. Read more

Expedia, Inc, the world's largest online travel company and operator of the Expedia.com.au^TM and Expedia.co.nz websites in Australasia, has announced the appointment of Chris Hann as Retail Manager, Australia and New Zealand. In this newly-created role, Mr Hann will managethe company’s extensive product line while seeking new product opportunities to respond to Expedia’s strong local and regional growth.

His appointment follows the recent appointments of Dan Lynn as Managing Director, Expedia Asia Pacific and Nicolas Chu as General Manager, Australia and New Zealand. Read more

Expedia lists the world’s best destinations for New Year’s

New Year’s and more specifically, New Year’s Eve, is perhaps the most hedonistic of holidays on the year’s calendar and a perfect excuse for a great party. All around the world, there is music, dancing and breathtaking displays of fireworks as cities celebrate the passing of one year to the next.

For party-goers looking for a celebration to remember, Expedia.com.au, operated by Expedia, Inc., the world’s largest online travel company has scoured the globe to find the world’s best destinations - from Cape Town to Bangkok - to ring in the New Year. Read more

Younger working Australians have been revealed to be more holiday deprived and fearful of taking all their annual leave than their older compatriots, according to the latest annual global Vacation Deprivation® survey from Expedia®, the world’s largest online travel company.

Younger Australians (i.e. those aged between 18 and 34) are twice as likely not to take all their annual leave as they feel that if they take time off to go on holiday they will miss an important decision at work. A further fifteen per cent of 18-34 year-olds fear that taking all of their holidays will be perceived negatively by their bosses and will jeopardise their job security.  Read more

Online travel company, Expedia.com.au, announced today it has entered into an exclusive charity partnership with Barnardos Australia.

The relationship positions Barnados as Expedia’s sole charity partner and forms an integral part of Expedia’s community engagement activities.

Nicholas Chu, Managing Director, Expedia Australia and New Zealand, said: “We are thrilled to be working with Barnardos as we greatly admire its efforts with children, young people, families and community.” Read more

Expedia.com.au reveals its Top 10 destinations to try your luck

For Aussies looking for an excuse to blow their tax return, or who just have a little spare cash lying around, a visit to one of world’s top gaming destinations might be on the cards.

Online travel company, Expedia, has released its top 10 places in the world for travellers who have no trouble splashing the cash.

Expedia.com.au’s Top 10 destinations for high rollers:

Monte Carlo, Monaco Read more

Expedia, Inc., the world’s leading online travel company and operator of Expedia.com.au, has announced the promotion of Arthur Hoffman to Managing Director, Expedia Asia Pacific. In his new role, Mr Hoffman will be responsible for Expedia Australia, New Zealand, Japan and India as well as the growth of Expedia in the Asia Pacific region. In addition, he will continue to serve on the board of Nasdaq-listed eLong, Inc., the second largest online travel provider in China in which Expedia, Inc. is the majority shareholder.

The expansion of Mr Hoffman’s role follows his success managing Expedia in Australia and New Zealand, where Expedia has rapidly claimed a strong market share after launching within the past two years. Read more

Expedia names the world’s top destinations for adventurous travellers

Spending a holiday sipping cocktails by the pool is not for everyone. Some adventure-hungry travellers prefer to spend their holidays exploring some of the world’s most unique, remote and exciting destinations.

For travellers looking to experience new cultures, meet new people and challenge themselves, Expedia.com.au™, operated by Expedia, Inc., the world’s largest online travel company, has teamed up with leading adventure tour company, Gap Adventures to find the world’s top adventure destinations for Aussie travellers. Read more

Expedia reveals the top travel destinations where the Australian Dollar goes furthest

Leading Australian travel website Expedia.com.au^TM, operated by Expedia, the world’s largest online travel company, in conjunction with foreign exchange specialist HiFX, has released its latest Expedia® Foreign Exchange Index as the Australian Dollar continues to perform robustly against the world’s major currencies.

The twice-yearly index, which reveals the top international destinations where Aussie travellers find the best value for their Australian Dollar, found that Eastern Europe has again emerged as a great value holiday destination, with six of the top ten destinations located in that region.    Read more

Expedia.com.au survey reveals men prefer longer romantic holidays with their partners, while women would rather take short beach breaks

Men are 10 per cent more likely to prefer romantic holidays than women and five times more likely to pay for their partners when travelling together.  Men are also 36 per cent more likely to want long holidays with their partners and two out of every three say they share packing responsibilities together. However, what men dislike most is having to compromise with their partners when travelling, while women say their pet peeve is putting up with their partners’ messiness. Read more

If you’ve returned to work from the Christmas break feeling tired, stressed and maybe a little unmotivated, you’re not alone. A recent survey* conducted by online travel company Expedia.com.au has found that the recent Christmas break has left many Australians (27 per cent) feeling tired, stressed and feeling like they had not relaxed – particularly those who had spent it with family.

While over 70 per cent of Australians spent Christmas with family this year, many Gen Ys specifically found Christmas with the family particularly hard work. They reported feeling the most stressed and tired of any age group after their Christmas break, with around a quarter planning a last-minute escape now to recuperate. Read more

Expedia reports triple-digit growth for some international destinations

With the Australian Dollar recently having broken through parity against the US Dollar and continuing to increase against other major currencies, many Australians are taking advantage of the good times and heading overseas in the later stages of 2010.

According to recent bookings* on Expedia.com.au, operated by Expedia Inc., the world's largest online travel company, triple-digit year-on-year growth has been recorded for hotel bookings in some international destinations. Expedia predicts this surge in international travel to continue with many Aussies considering a Christmas abroad. Read more

Expedia.com.au lists the best Northern Hemisphere summer destinations for 2011

With the Australian summer soon to make way for autumn, now is the time for travellers not wanting to let the sun set on summer to start planning a mid-year holiday.

From Europe to North America, the Northern Hemisphere offers travellers a playground of destinations to explore. With the strength of the Australian dollar motivating one in three Aussies to book an overseas holiday this year*,Expedia.com.au has scoured the Northen Hemisphere to find the best up and coming destinations to visit during Australia’s winter months. Read more

•  84 percent of Australians feel more motivated at work when they have a booked holiday to look forward to
• Aussie workers set to cost businesses over $880 million in work hours when researching and booking their next holiday 

As Australians return to work after the summer break, 84 percent have revealed that they feel more motivated at work if they have a holiday to look forward to - according to a recent survey conducted by Expedia.com.au^TM, operated by Expedia, Inc. ,the world’s leading online travel company. So, while offices around Australia will be busy with work-related planning for the year ahead this month, many Aussie workers will be sure to be planning their 2009 getaways. Read more

One in four Australians access the internet every day they are on holiday

Australians are spending their holidays surfing the internet rather than waves, according to new research from Expedia.com.au, operated by Expedia Inc., the world’s largest online travel company.

In a survey of over 1000 Australians*, Expedia.com.au found that more than one in ten (13 per cent) Aussies access the internet up to as much as five times a day when on holiday, while a quarter say they access the internet at least daily. Those on an internet-free holiday are clearly the minority, with only 15 per cent refraining from using the internet at all when on holiday. Read more

Online travel company, Expedia.com.au^TM, has launched a new microsite for travellers to UK and France, “A taste of Britain and France”. The microsite features extensive information on tours, activities and destinations that will assist travellers in getting the most out of their itineraries. Customers booking a trip through the microsite also have the chance to win a free trip to Paris and London for two, including flights, accommodation, trips on the Eurostar and admission to major tourist attractions. Read more

Expedia, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXPE), the world's leading online travel company, today announced a long term global agreement with Virgin Blue and its new international airline, V-Australia. The deal marks Expedia’s first global airline agreement in Australia, and the first global distribution agreement for either airline with an online travel company.

Under the agreement, Virgin Blue and V-Australia flights will be available to customers on all Expedia®-branded sites worldwide, including Expedia.com.au in Australia and Expedia.com in the US, and on US discount travel site Hotwire®. The flights will also be available to business travellers through travel management leader Egencia™, which launched its full-service travel offering in Australia last year. Read more

Expedia.com.au highlights the top emerging food and wine destinations of the world

For many Australians, a passion for fine food and wine has for decades inspired them to travel to revered culinary destinations such as France and Italy. However, in recent years there has been a shift from the ‘tried and tested’ wine and food producing countries to gastronomic newcomers such as Denmark and Chile, which are staking their claims as one of the world’s top destinations for food and wine. Read more

Online travel company, Expedia (www.Expedia.com.au), today announced its ‘Global Sale’ (http://www.expedia.com.au/p/promos/global-sale ), providing up to 50 per cent discount off thousands of hotels in popular global and local destinations for Australian travellers. Read more

The Most Bang for Your Travel Buck: Expedia.com Releases
2012 Insiders’ Select List of the World’s Best-Reviewed Hotels

Crowd-Sourced Rankings Powered by 500,000+ Qualified Traveller Reviews;
Slovakian Boutique Tops 2012 List; “Green” Hotels Soaring in Popularity

Sydney, June 28^th 2012: Expedia.com®, the world’s largest online travel company, today announced the Expedia® 2012 Insiders’ Select™  (http://www.expedia.com.au/p/promos/insiders-select.htm) rankings, an annual crowd-sourced list of the world’s best-reviewed hotels. Read more

Expedia explores some of the world’s best shopping destinations

While most holiday itineraries include the obligatory sightseeing of landmarks, or relaxing by the pool or beach, for serious shoppers, making time for some retail therapy is also top of the to-do list on their travels and there are certain cities around the world that are standouts for their exquisite clothing; jewelry; leather and home wares.

Louise Crompton, Marketing Manager for Expedia.com.au, says: “With the Australian Dollar performing so strongly, there has never been a better time for Aussies to take advantage of the outstanding value for money to get their retail therapy kick and pick up a bargain.” Read more

Expedia.com.au research reveals January is ‘Holiday Hope Month’ for Aussie travellers

With the year barely a few weeks old, over half of Australians are already planning their next holiday just as they head back to work after the Christmas break. This is according to new research from Expedia.com.au^TM, operated by Expedia, Inc., the world’s leading online travel company.

January has emerged as ‘Holiday Hope Month’ for Australians, with 54% of the population beginning to plan their holidays for the coming year during this month as they leave the sun, surf and Christmas memories behind. Read more

Australian tourists rank 6^th among 27 nations in second annual global

Expedia Best Tourist Survey

The second annual global Best Tourist Survey, conducted by leading online travel company Expedia®, has ranked Australians in sixth place overall among the 27 nationalities surveyed. This is up one spot on last year’s ranking.

Around 4,500 hoteliers across the globe provided their opinions on the best travellers overall, as well as on specific categories including behaviour, spending habits, fashion sense and willingness to try and speak the local language. Read more

With hundreds of festivals being during the Northern Hemisphere summer (May-September), festival-hopping is a great way to experience new cultures and meet the locals. And for those on a repeat visit to a favourite destination, festivals provide a great alternative to the museums and traditional tourist attractions.

As festivals give a unique insight into a country’s traditions, heritage and culture, following the trail of festivals is an ideal way to experience the Northern Hemisphere summer at its best.

For people booking a summer holiday to the Northern Hemisphere this year, online travel company Expedia.com.au^TM reveals some of the best summer festivals to help plan your holiday to that half of the world. Read more

Secure an Early Bird airfare with Expedia

Follow Expedia’s Early Bird top tips to secure the best 2013 flight deals

Save up to 50 per cent off flights to Europe

Most popular destinations include London, Paris and Dublin

Millions of savvy Australian travellers are booking international flights for 2013 as early as this week, making savings of up to 50 per cent by taking advantage of Early Bird flight deals.

  Read more

• One in ten Aussie men admit to having had a mid-air romance
• New technology on Expedia.com.au helps air travellers ‘get more comfortable’

One in ten Australian men admit to having had a relationship or romance with someone they sat next to on a flight, making them more than twice as likely of finding a relationship at high altitude than women, according to a poll conducted by Expedia.com.au^TM, operated by Expedia®, the world’s leading online travel company. Read more

With international travel currently more expensive, there has never been a better time for Aussies to rediscover their own backyard

When planning for your summer holiday, at a time when the weakening Australian dollar is making international travel more expensive, travelling locally is now a much more attractive option than a few months ago, according to Expedia.com.au^TM, operated by Expedia, Inc., the world’s leading online travel company.

Louise Hurbert-Burns, Marketing Manager, Expedia® Australia, says: “While many Australians might be reconsidering international travel due to the weakened Australian dollar, the start of our summer, and the holiday season makes it a great time to consider exploring more of Australia.” Read more

• Japan and America are the only countries more holiday deprived than Australia
• Forty per cent of Australians say the GFC has caused them to change their travel plans for 2009

Australian workers take fewer holidays than all other nations except Japan and America, holidaying on average for just 16 days of the year, according to online travel company Expedia’s annual global Vacation Deprivation® survey.

The survey, which in Australia was conducted by Pureprofile on behalf of Expedia.com.au™ (operated by Expedia, Inc., the world’s leading online travel company), found that 44 per cent of Australians do not take all of their entitled annual leave days, up from 38 per cent last year.  Read more

 Annual Expedia Foreign Exchange Index reveals the top destinations where the Australian Dollar goes furthest

South Africa, Vietnam and South Korea have topped the list of countries whose currencies offer the best value against the strong Australian Dollar, measured over the past year.

Expedia.com.au™, subsidiary of Expedia, Inc., the world’s leading online travel company, in conjunction with foreign exchange specialist HiFX, has produced the second annual list of top ten destinations where the Australian Dollar (AUD) has strengthened most over the past 12 months. Read more

Advice from leading online travel company Expedia® on the Do’s and Don’ts when travelling abroad

While some local customs and laws might at times seem absurd to the foreign traveller, understanding other cultures in terms of what is acceptable behaviour and what might be illegal or taboo is of great importance when travelling.

According to Expedia.com.au^TM, operated by Expedia, Inc., the world’s leading online travel company, knowing the local rules and customs of a travel destination will not only help you stay out of trouble when travelling, and avoid potential embarrassment or offence, but it can also open doors to unique and rewarding travel experiences. Read more

Expedia.com.au provides travellers with top insider tips to minimise travel hassles

Crowded airports, flight delays, luggage dramas and troubles at Customs can easily transform a trip from highly exhilarating to tediously ho-hum. While a good dose of common sense goes a long way, some clever ‘insider’ tips can arm you with the know-how to make your trip more enjoyable and stress free.

Committed to providing customers with the information and tools they need for the smoothest possible travel experience, Expedia.com.au^TM, operated by Expedia, Inc., the world’s leading online travel company, provides some valuable ‘insider’ advice on how to avoid travel chaos. Read more

Career obsessed Aussies throw in the towel on vacations

Expedia global study reveals Australians are more holiday deprived than ever

Australia ranked third in countries not using full leave entitlements

Despite having the reputation for being a laidback nation, new research has revealed that Australians are working themselves to the bone, with a quarter of all holiday leave not being used and an increasing number choosing to postpone booked trips to accommodate work. Read more

Expedia.com.au names the best holiday destinations to act up but also warns travellers to take the necessary precautions

If it has been a while since you went a little wild on holiday, maybe now is the time to travel someplace where letting your hair down is the order of the day. Whether your ideal holiday is letting off a bit of steam at some of the world’s best parties, or jumping in head first into some heart-stopping outdoor adventure activity, there is something for every thrill seeker.

From full moon parties in Thailand to adrenaline-filled activities in New Zealand, Expedia.com.au^TM, operated by Expedia, Inc., the world’s leading online travel company, has named the best places around the world to get the endorphins positively zinging. Read more

European countries such as France, Italy and Spain, and closer to home Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore have long laid their claim as the world’s ‘culinary capitals.’ While their cuisines continue to attract tens of millions of travellers each year, Expedia.com.au^TM, which is operated by Expedia Inc., the world’s leading online travel company, has revealed the Top 10 Emerging Food Destinations for travellers seeking not only a new and fascinating travel experience but also an exotic culinary sensation. Read more

Expedia.com.au uncovers five lesser-known cities travellers shouldn’t miss

Sydney, 17^th April 2013 –With winter fast approaching, travel planning is high on the agenda as Aussies try to escape the chill. As the Northern Hemisphere dips into Summer Europe remains a popular destination for those looking to combine adventure and history with gorgeous weather and breathtaking sights. In fact, according to bookings made on Expedia.com.au, 65% of all Europe-bound travel took place between May to September* last year.

  Read more