Abstract
Taking a vacation has become increasingly easy as it is convenient to go online and book holidays. Probably more convenient than visiting a brick-and-mortar travel agency. The number of people booking holidays online is increasing as more and more people are becoming computer-literate, and confident about the entire process. This opens up new avenues for companies which offer travel services online, and hence, many companies are pursuing it. The difference between the brick-and-mortar world and the online industry is that the online industry has no natural barrier such as geographic location of customers to switch travel agents. Everybody is just a mouse click away.
Based in Bellevue, WA, Expedia, Inc. defines its business as "selling travel services to leisure travelers and corporate customers around the world" (page F-9) in its 10k (annual reports) filing for 2002.. Travel services are not only sold primarily through Expedia's own websites, but also through websites of other travel companies, through telephone and through affiliated brick-and-mortar travel agents. Expedia acts as a broker. It operates through off-line travel agencies, in order to address the needs of large commercial customers. Expedia's services comprise of air fares, lodging, rental cars, cruises, combination of these and complete travel packages.
