Expedia Reports Increase in Travel Demand for US Virgin Islands
Expedia., Inc., one of the world's largest online travel companies, has reported that travel demand garnered via Expedia.com and Hotels.com points of sale for US Virgin Islands hotels grew 23 percent in the first quarter of 2014 when compared to the same time period in 2013, with one third of these bookings attributed to vacation packages.
New data from Expedia indicate that the United States remains the key feeder market for the destination, with a reported growth of more than 24 percent. Other international markets reporting substantial growth in the first quarter of 2014 when compared to the same period in the previous year include:
• Mexico, with more than 115 percent growth
• Netherlands, with more than 600 percent growth
• United Kingdom, with more than 55 percent growth
Expedia’s market management team is expected to attend the 21st Annual USVI Destination Symposium, the destination’s most influential industry event, from June 16-20, 2014. During the conference, the company’s market management team will have an opportunity to discuss Expedia’s online marketing tools and programs available via multiple platforms that could provide increased visibility and incremental demand for the destination. Moreover, the team is expected to share recent successes while also meeting with valued hotel partners and reinforcing the company’s commitment to the region.
“Demand for the US Virgin Islands has consistently increased on Expedia, Inc.’s multiple platforms fueled by package sales, which account for more than one third of total sales into the destination,” said Demetrius Canton, director of Market Management in the Caribbean for Expedia. “Hotel partners in the USVI are experiencing the benefits of partnering with Expedia vacation packages, as average length of stay for package bookings is reportedly a healthy five nights when compared to the average two and a half nights booked for hotel-only stays.”
Expedia provides hotel partners with access to tremendous volume and variety of travelers worldwide through more than 150 websites in more than 70 countries worldwide, in addition to a myriad of mobile sites and apps.
Expedia continues expanding its global footprint with the launch of new portals, investing in campaigns and mobile technologies while developing tailor-made market strategies for hotel partners to attract a diverse array of clients in a variety of countries.
Source: Caribbean News Now
