Expedia Group vs Hurtigruten

Expedia Advertising Targets $100B Non-Travel Ad Opportunity

Expedia Group Advertising (EGA) is expanding beyond traditional travel advertisers to target 'travel-adjacent' brands in fashion, beauty, electronics, entertainment, and insurance. The company believes the travel planning and booking journey creates a lucrative commerce media opportunity, estimated at $100 billion in the US alone. EGA's research shows travelers spend about $500 on non-booking products and services per trip. Bill Watkins, who joined four months ago from Pinterest, is leading this push and announced the initiative at Advertising Week New York on October 7. EGA claims it generates over $120 billion in travel spend and sees over a billion monthly signals. The company is building a dedicated sales team and has already onboarded its first partner, insurance brand Redion. EGA's advertising business generated $206 million in Q2 2026, up 13% year-over-year. Watkins emphasizes the need for measurable performance to attract brand budgets. Expedia is also adapting to AI-driven travel planning by appearing on AI platforms like Google AI Mode and Meta's Muse, and recently acquired Layla, a conversational travel planning company.

• Expedia Group Advertising targets non-travel advertising, estimated at $100 billion in the US.
• EGA generates over $120 billion in travel spend and sees over a billion monthly signals.
• Bill Watkins, formerly of Pinterest, is leading the initiative, announced at Advertising Week New York.

10-Q Financial Filing Analysis for Expedia Group (2026-08-06)

Expedia Group, Inc. reported strong financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2026, with consolidated revenue rising 14% year-over-year to $4.32 billion and operating income increasing 65% to $800 million. Performance was primarily driven by double-digit lodging revenue expansion (+13% to $3.43 billion) across both B2C and B2B segments, alongside notable acceleration in advertising businesses (EG Advertising up 13% and trivago third-party revenue up 48%). Net income attributable to Expedia Group surged to $878 million ($7.16 diluted EPS), bolstered by a $215 million net other income contribution that included $280 million in unrealized minority equity gains related to Global Business Travel Group (GBTG). During the quarter, the company authorized an additional $5.0 billion share repurchase program and completed the redemption and cash settlement of its 2026 senior and convertible debt obligations.

• Q2 2026 total revenue increased 14.0% YoY to $4.315 billion, with Gross Bookings growing 12.0% YoY to $33.928 billion.
• Operating income increased 64.9% YoY to $800 million, while Adjusted EBITDA reached $1.119 billion compared to $908 million in Q2 2025.
• Authorized a new $5.0 billion share repurchase program in May 2026, leaving $5.7 billion in total repurchase authorization as of June 30, 2026.

Hurtigruten’s 1893 Ambassador Members Get Double Discount During Its Loyalty Month, Launching Today

Hurtigruten launched its annual Loyalty Month on September 15, 2026, with extra discount offers for members. Members receive up to 10% additional discount, combinable with the current 30% off campaign for departures through March 2029.

Hurtigruten Launches Flight-Inclusive Offer Across 250+ Departures in 2027

Hurtigruten, the leader in iconic Norwegian coastal voyages, has announced a new wave offer of at least 15% off 2027 fly cruises. Available across 250+ select Signature and Original voyages, when booked between today and 9 November 2026, this discount enables guests to discover Norway no matter the time of year, for less.

Hurtigruten Appoints Matt DeWitte as VP, Sales and Marketing, Americas

Hurtigruten has appointed Matt DeWitte as its new Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Americas. This marks Matt’s return to the original Hurtigruten brand, where he served as Head of Marketing, Americas, from August 2022 until the brand split with HX Expeditions in January 2025.