Expedia Group has updated its Travel Agent Affiliate Program (TAAP) to enhance trip management, increase payment options and boost potential earnings for travel agents in the GCC region.
The move comes after Expedia launched TAAP in the UAE in May 2025, allowing agents across the Gulf countries access to its global audience and providing a wide variety of travel products and services, including flights, hotels, car rentals and holiday packages.
Part of the company’s B2B network, the changes to Expedia TAAP have been driven by feedback from travel advisors.
Among the latest Expedia TAAP additions are enhanced deferred payment capabilities, a new bank transfer payment option and the expanded rollout of the agency service charge feature.
Expedia TAAP has upgraded its ‘book now, pay later’ feature, allowing advisors in the region to defer payment for trips for up to 365 days, where previously it was 280 days. Expedia says this supports early-bird deals and clients planning in advance, without the immediate need for payment, helping advisors to manage cash flow.
Advance bookings often require adjustments and the newly introduced Hard Change function allows agents to make post-booking changes directly in the platform, removing the need for cancellations.
Another key update allows agents to pay for hotel bookings via bank transfer, seen as a benefit in regions where card payments may be less convenient. This is currently only available in select European countries.
Perhaps the most enticing update is the ability for agents to apply a service charge of up to 30% on bookings within the TAAP platform.
“Given that 45% of travellers have relied on advisors for most or all of their trips in the past year, the role of the travel advisor has never been more pivotal,” said Robin Lawther, VP of Expedia TAAP.
“Our latest tools are making a significant impact on advisor businesses worldwide, and we are committed to further enhancing our platform to ensure continued success and growth.”
Expedia is showcasing the Middle East to a global audience with a series of new partnerships with Experience Abu Dhabi, Visit Oman, Jordan Tourism, Emirates, and Saudi Arabia’s Adeera.
TAAP joins existing Expedia partner platforms available in the region including Rezlive, Halalbooking (a search and booking platform for Muslim travellers), and Blackrock Technologies.
