Expedia UK to get the personal touch

The UK will be one of the first countries outside of the US to use Expedia’s personalised consumer websites, a senior executive at the company said this week. Partner services group president Paul Brown would not reveal a date for the launch of what is believed to be one of a string of new functions…

The UK will be one of the first countries outside of the US to use Expedia’s personalised consumer websites, a senior executive at the company said this week.


Partner services group president Paul Brown would not reveal a date for the launch of what is believed to be one of a string of new functions to be made available on Expedia.co.uk, but said the facility would definitely be added to UK portal.


The move follows the successful launch of personalised facilities for users of Expedia.com in the US.


The new service gives customers the ability to use Expedia as a mini-travel management tool, with a range of facilities such as itineraries for trips, advanced booking facilities and a system to arrange holidays for friends.


The system also enables Expedia to target subscribers with specific trips and deals.


Brown also announced that Expedia Inc has signed a major long-term deal with the Louvre Hotel Group.


The partnership will give Expedia Inc and its Hotels.com subsidiary access to France’s second biggest hotel chain, covering high-end venues such as Crillon, Hotel du Louvre and Hotel Lutetia.


It also includes the Concorde, Kyriad, Campanile and Premiere Classe brands – a total of around 600 venues mainly in France.


Speaking about the deal from the ITB conference in Berlin, Brown said: “It brings value and convenience to our customers and it represents yet another step forward in our commitment to form long-lasting and meaningful relationships with our valued supply parnters.”


Steve Jacobs of the Louvre Hotel Group added: “Now, Louvre Hotels will be able to reach a wider audience with the help of Expedia’s reach and resources.”