By combining social media influence with a direct booking tool, Expedia aims to create a more seamless connection between inspiration and action for travelers.
Today, Expedia Group rolled out Travel Shops, a platform that enables influencers and content creators to earn commissions by promoting hotels and travel accommodations.
Designed to integrate social media-style content with direct booking, the platform allows creators to curate collections of their favorite stays, which can then be booked through Expedia’s app and website.
Influencers will be able to create their own Travel Shops, where they can highlight hotels and destinations that align with their preferences.
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For example, travel blogger and influencer Renee Hahnel, who goes by the name Renee Roaming on social media, has curated a list of her favorite stays, which include a glamping site in Patagonia, Argentina, an oceanfront villa in French Polynesia and a Four Seasons Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona. Visitors to Hahnel’s Travel Shop on the app or website can click on any of the highlighted stays to book directly.
The initiative represents a new revenue stream for influencers, who can now generate income from their travel content outside of traditional advertising methods. While the exact commission structure remains undisclosed, the platform offers creators a way to monetize their recommendations in a more sustained fashion, as the content remains available on Expedia rather than disappearing as it often does on social media.
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“Every day, people are liking and buying products recommended by influencers they trust, but until now there hasn’t been a simple way to shop travel recommendations. Travelers are already getting inspiration through Instagram and TikTok, so creating a path to go from looking to booking is a natural evolution that meets travelers where they’re at,” said Lauri Metrose, senior vice-president of global communications at Expedia Group.
Travel Shops kicks off today with an initial invite-only launch phase, which includes over 100 influencers and partners, including travel influencers Brett Conti and Oneika Raymond, actor and producer Jaime Camil and Liverpool FC captain Virgil van Dijk.
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Additionally, the launch is supported through corporate partners like Arsenal FC as well as a handful of tourism boards and destination marketing groups, including Visit Orlando, Travel Alberta and Go Dominican Republic. Through the platforms, these groups aim to highlight must-see lodging options and experiences, winning over new travelers.
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Following this launch effort, the platform will expand further next year, enabling any Expedia user to create their own Travel Shop.
The program will also be promoted by a handful of media partners, including Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure and Variety, which will create their own Travel Shops to help readers and followers find special places to visit.
Travel Shops are accessible via Expedia’s desktop site and mobile app in the US, the UK and Canada, with plans to expand into additional markets in the near future.
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