Expedia’s B2B Surge Buys Time for Vrbo and Hotels.com

Expedia’s fourth quarter underscored a split-screen strategy: its B2B business is doing the heavy lifting while its consumer brands try to rebuild momentum in a cautious U.S. market. Revenue from B2B surged 24%. 

This business unit sells travel technology and inventory to partners. On the consumer side, executives said its multi-year technology migration is largely complete and Vrbo and Hotels.com posted a second consecutive quarter of growth alongside the core Expedia brand.

“We returned Vrbo and Hotels.com to growth, reflecting sharper brand positioning and product improvements,” CEO Ariane Gorin said on the earnings call Thursday.

The B2B momentum and international growth stacked on top of a healthy U.S. quarter, where executives said th