Expedia acquires holiday lets website

Global travel firm Expedia announced this week that it has acquired HomeAway Inc – a website specialising in holiday lets. 

The acquisition means customers will now have access to HomeAway Inc's holiday rental properties as well as hotel accommodation.

The move will see more than 115,000 vacation rental listings added to the US version of Expedia.com. 

HomeAway previously added 10,000 listings to Expedia as part of a pilot project in 2013.

"We’re very excited to have Expedia as the cornerstone partner for a network that will enable vacation rental owners and managers to reach travellers who typically book accommodations on large online travel sites," said Brian Sharples, HomeAway co-founder and chief executive.

Laurens Leurink, Expedia's president for lodging, added: “The demand for vacation rentals in today’s travel market is clear and we think it complements our existing business.”

Commenting on the acquisition, Chris White, chief executive and founder of boutique real estate firm Ideal Homes Portugal, said: “This will have an enormous impact on our holiday rentals clients. It will mean their property is advertised to a much bigger client base, massively increasing booking potential and income, and also reducing the likelihood of scammers and improving security.”