The traveling agency Expedia Group
Expedia Group suggests that it would like to make quality over quantity the priority, given that in the past, it would only focus on the number of bookings. In addition, it is going to implement a global ad campaign so that the priorities can truly be set with a new form of company branding. The new brand tagline consists of the mantra, "It matters who you travel with," which conveys that Expedia would like to be a travel companion rather than a mere company that conducts business only.
Expedia desires to portray itself as supportive toward its customers, and would like for customers to get as much out of their travel experiences as possible.
This particular change in strategy came about mainly because the coronavirus pandemic made the travel industry go through such a difficult time. Travel spending decreased by around 42%, or $500 million from 2019 to 2020, according to the U.S. Travel Association.
Expedia conveyed that it made research regarding the characteristics that customers would like to see in a travel company. Some of them include new packages that bundle flights with accommodations and activities with total pricing and upfront virtual agents that will help travelers with information about health and hygiene.
"Like many travel brands, COVID-19 has forced us all to look inwards and reflect on who we are as a brand and what that means to our consumers. It became clear to us that in order for our travelers to have an amazing trip, it matters who they travel with, and we need to understand the important role we play in being that partner," said Shiv Singh, senior vice president and general manager of Expedia Brand, stated in a press release. "As travelers adjust to the new norms post-COVID, we must adjust as well, and this is just the first chapter in a multi-year journey to really deliver against our mission of being a brand that is there for travelers from start to finish."
With all the newfound qualities and characteristics that Expedia hopes to employ as a result of experiencing a drop in sales from the coronavirus pandemic, it will likely get back on its feet again and regain customer interest, especially with its newer, more supportive tactics. Expedia hopes to truly connect with customers rather than simply being concerned with numbers, and this fact alone will more than likely help its sales enormously.