In his opening remarks for analysts during Expedia’s third quarter earnings call, Okerstrom also said Expedia’s new marching orders would be: Become locally relevant on a global basis rather than 2017’s “go global” mantra under Khosrowshahi. Among the nuanced differences would be emphasizing the build-up of local lodging supply, improving language translation, and ramping up tech and marketing investments in local markets. Okestrom also said he wants to put the “A back into OTAs,” meaning emphasizing the travel agent and customer service aspect of the online travel agency label. Along those lines, Okerstrom said Expedia would spend more on marketing, technology and on-boarding new lodging properties for the rest of this year and 2018. Read original article |