Expedia switches crypto on for 700,000 holidaymakers

Online Travel company Expedia now lets its 700,000 annual holiday bookings to be made with cryptocurrency through partnered website, Travala.com.

According to a press release, users will be able to book accommodation using 30 cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Binance Coin and Travala’s native coin, AVA.

Discussing the partnership with Travala, Alfonso Paredes, Senior Vice President at Expedia Group, said: “At EPS we are passionate about innovation and recognize that booking and payment choice continues to evolve in a fast-changing world.

“Our aim is to support Travala.com to scale their business faster than ever before. Through our expansive travel supply, partner support and cutting-edge technology, we specialise in helping partners like Travala.com build fantastic experiences for their travelers.”

After syncing up to Expedia’s versatile API, Rapid, Travala now has hundreds of thousands on listings on the site as the world slowly begins to wake up following the covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown.

The travel and hospitality industries have been among the hardest hit during 2020 with share prices of airline companies and hotels tumbling dramatically following the initial wave of covid-19.

However, with countries like the UK now opening up its borders for holidaymakers, travel sites like Expedia and Travala will become far more relevant.

The fact that travellers can now book accommodation using cryptocurrency is another key driver for the mass adoption of cryptocurrencies.

On that note, Juan Otero, CEO and Co-founder, Travala.com, said: “With cryptocurrency adoption on the rise, we want to ensure our users have payment choice and transparent pricing for every trip booked. EPS Rapid is the best API product in the travel industry and this partnership unlocks greater accommodation choice and availability for our users, including 4- and 5-star hotels in top destinations.

“Our latest month-on-month data shows consumer confidence and the desire for travel is returning, with an 81% increase in room nights booked and website traffic up 50% week-on-week. Working with Expedia means we can drive traveler loyalty throughout the recovery period, offering unparalleled last-minute availability and fantastic rates and offers.”

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