Expedia Group B2B Introduces AI Toolkit and Platform for the Future of Travel Distribution

Key Terms

api technical

An API, or Application Programming Interface, is a set of rules that allows different software programs to communicate and work together smoothly, much like a waiter translating your order into the kitchen and then bringing your meal back. For investors, APIs are important because they enable real-time access to financial data, trading systems, and other digital services, making it easier to make informed decisions quickly and efficiently.

insurtech financial

Insurtech is the use of technology to improve and innovate the insurance industry. It involves developing digital tools and platforms that make buying, managing, and claiming insurance easier, faster, and more personalized—similar to how online banking transformed traditional banking services. For investors, insurtech represents an opportunity to support companies that are changing how insurance works and potentially capturing new markets through innovation.

rapid api technical

A rapid API is an online marketplace and management layer where developers discover, connect to, and pay for third‑party application programming interfaces (APIs) — think of it like an app store for software building blocks. For investors, its use can speed product development, reduce engineering costs, and create new revenue or dependency risks; knowing whether a company relies on or sells through such a platform helps assess growth potential, margins, and operational vulnerability.

dsp technical

A demand-side platform (DSP) is software that automates buying digital advertising space across websites, apps and video, letting marketers bid for and place ads in real time. Think of it as a smart shopper that compares many stores at once to find the best price and audience for each ad. Investors watch DSPs because their reach, pricing efficiency, data access and compliance with privacy rules directly affect revenue growth, margins and competitive position in ad-driven businesses.

ai toolkit technical

A set of software components, models, and services that developers use to build and run artificial intelligence features—think of it as a digital toolbox containing pre-made parts like language models, data-processing routines, and interfaces. Investors care because a strong AI toolkit can speed product development, lower costs, and create competitive advantages, while weak or costly tools can add execution risk and hidden expenses that affect future revenue and valuation.

intelligent experience platform technical

A software system that uses data and artificial intelligence to tailor and manage customer interactions across websites, apps, email and support lines — like a smart assistant that remembers preferences and adapts how a company talks to each person. Investors care because it can raise sales and loyalty while cutting service costs; widespread adoption can signal scalable revenue growth but may require upfront investment and ongoing maintenance.

merchandising api technical

A merchandising API is a software interface that lets an online retailer control which products appear where and when on a website or app — like giving a digital store manager the tools to arrange shelves, highlight deals, or recommend items. Investors care because this tool directly affects sales, customer buying behavior, and marketing efficiency; better merchandising can raise conversion rates and revenue while providing data that guides product and pricing decisions.

responsible ai council regulatory

A responsible AI council is a group of company leaders, technical experts and often outside advisors who set rules and monitor how artificial intelligence is developed and used to prevent harm, bias or legal risk. For investors it matters because the council helps protect the company’s reputation, reduces the chance of costly regulation or lawsuits, and increases the likelihood AI products are trustworthy and commercially viable—think of it as the company’s internal safety and ethics board for AI.

New AI capabilities, expanded ground mobility, and merchandising capabilities help brands add and scale end-to-end travel experiences

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Expedia Group B2B today announced a new set of AI-powered products and partnerships that make it easier for companies in any sector to build travel into their customer experiences.

“For decades we’ve built the plumbing behind the scenes that makes travel work more connected, seamless, and trusted, bringing together supply, pricing, payments, service and more,” said Alfonso Paredes, President B2B & Chief Commercial Officer Expedia Group. “Now we’re making that infrastructure even easier for partners to plug into. With one connection, partners can build more complete travel experiences for their customers, capture more of the trip, and do it with less complexity.”

Expedia Group B2B today serves 75,000 partners across industry verticals and 200,000 travel advisors, and its platform processes 21 billion API calls a day (Expedia Group internal data, 2025).

AI toolkit for partners + new travel platform

At the Explore 26 partner conference, Expedia Group B2B previewed its new, in-development AI toolkit, which rolls out with select partners in the coming months. It simplifies how B2B partners connect Expedia Group capabilities into AI experiences across APIs, interfaces, and agent workflows.

At the core is the Intelligent Experience Platform, a set of composable AI components designed to help partners launch branded travel experiences powered by Expedia Group intelligence. Expedia Group B2B aims to reduce the time and investment required for partners to launch travel experiences and help them prepare for a future where travelers increasingly expect AI-assisted trip planning.

Expanding ground mobility to complete more trips

To help partners capture more of the end-to-end journey, Expedia Group B2B is expanding its car rental, ground transport and Insurtech solutions.

In a separate announcement today, Expedia Group shared it has entered into an agreement to acquire CarTrawler, an Ireland-based B2B platform powering leading travel brands.

CarTrawler follows Expedia Group’s recent acquisition of Tiqets, the Amsterdam-based activities and experiences platform, and together the acquisitions advance the growth strategy the company outlined to expand its Rapid API beyond lodging to include car, flights, activities and trip protection.

CarTrawler’s capabilities, coupled with Expedia Group’s extensive scale, technology and partner network, unlock several new growth opportunities for partners as well as unrivaled choice and value for travelers. The transaction, which remains subject to customary closing conditions, is expected to close in the second half of 2026.

Marketing and media capabilities to reach more travelers

At Explore ‘26, Expedia Group also announced marketing and media network enhancements that help partners reach more travelers in more places.

For Rapid API partners, two new merchandising solutions can help drive demand and improve conversion:

• The B2B Partner Portal account can now be used to plan and track marketing strategies.
• The new Merchandising API can now be tapped to build compelling marketing experiences across platforms and channels.

Expedia Group Advertising also shared advances to its Travel Media Network, including:

• An enhanced AI-powered advertising portal, with strategies like Max Room Nights bidding.
• Richer ad formats across search results, property pages, Trips, and checkout.
• Broader reach via DSPs and exclusive media partnerships.

Trust and support built in

Across these launches, Expedia Group emphasized the governance and infrastructure behind its B2B platform:

• A Responsible AI Council that reviews high-risk AI deployments before they scale.
• Servicing remains a core strategic priority, with continued investment in people, processes, and AI as the B2B network grows. Expedia Group B2B currently:
  • Handles more than 7 million servicing calls a year for partners.
  • Provides 24/7 native voice support across 25 languages.

“Partners want growth, but they also want to know their brand and their customers are in safe hands,” Paredes said. “A year ago, we said we would build a broader platform for partners, and we did. Today, we’re helping partners sell more, serve better, and capture more of the trip, using infrastructure that’s been tested at scale for decades.”

About Expedia Group

Expedia Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXPE) is the global travel marketplace with one purpose: to help travelers explore the world, one journey at a time. Expedia Group™ connects travelers, partners, and advertisers through its trusted brands, leading technology, and rich first-party data, delivering predictive, personalized experiences that shape the future of travel.

Expedia Group’s ecosystem includes three flagship consumer brands – Expedia®, Hotels.com®, and Vrbo® – the largest B2B travel business, and a premier advertising network. Guided by an experienced and passionate global team, Expedia Group helps millions of travelers in more than 70 countries explore the world with confidence and ease.

© 2026 Expedia, Inc., an Expedia Group company. All rights reserved. Expedia Group and the Expedia Group logo are trademarks of Expedia, Inc. CST: 2029030-50.

For more information, visit www.expediagroup.com.
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View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260519530379/en/

Media contact: press@expedia.com

Source: Expedia Group, Inc.