Expedia and Kempinski Hotels Sign Global Partnership Agreement

BELLEVUE, Washington and GENEVA, June 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

- Online travel leader extends the reach of Europe's oldest luxury hotel group to millions of travellers worldwide

Expedia, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXPE), the world's largest online travel company, today announced a new multi-year, global partnership agreement with Kempinski Hotels, Europe's oldest independent luxury hotel group. This agreement strengthens the long-standing relationship between Expedia and Kempinski, whose more than 60 luxury properties will be made available on the more than 100 Expedia® and Hotels.com® travel bookings sites worldwide, as well as through Egencia, Hotwire and over 10,000 Expedia Affiliate Network sites.

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"We value the outstanding marketing support and international reach we achieve by working with Expedia," said Juerg Siegenthaler, SVP sales and marketing, Kempinski Hotels. "Expedia's global footprint and audience of more than 50 million travellers every month make it our OTA of choice for growing our business on a global scale."

"Our partnership with Kempinski Hotels truly enhances our luxury lodging offerings in exotic destinations like Dubai, Bangkok and Jakarta," said Melissa Maher, vice president of global strategic accounts for Expedia, Inc. "We are pleased to support Kempinski with innovative marketing and distribution strategies that will help them advance their business objectives."

Kempinski Hotels operates five-star luxury hotels in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. The hotel company expects to open over 40 new properties by 2015.

About Expedia, Inc.

Expedia, Inc. is the largest online travel company in the world, with an extensive brand portfolio that includes more than 100 localized Expedia.com®- and Hotels.com®-branded sites; leading U.S. discount travel site Hotwire®; leading agency hotel company Venere.com™; Egencia™, the world's fifth largest corporate travel management company; the world's largest travel community TripAdvisor® Media Network; destination activities provider ExpediaLocalExpert®; luxury travel specialist Classic Vacations®; and China's second largest booking site eLong™. The company delivers consumers value in leisure and business travel, drives incremental demand and direct bookings to travel suppliers, and provides advertisers vast opportunity to reach the most valuable audience of in-market travel consumers anywhere through TripAdvisor Media Group and Expedia Media Solutions. Expedia also powers bookings for some of the world's leading airlines and hotels, top consumer brands, high traffic websites, and thousands of active affiliates through Expedia® Affiliate Network.  (NASDAQ: EXPE)

About Expedia Partner Services Group

Expedia Partner Services Group (PSG) is the central point of contact for travel suppliers to access the global Expedia marketplace of leading travel brands comprising more than 100 points of sale worldwide.  With hundreds of employees in local markets throughout the world, Expedia® PSG makes it easy for suppliers to meet their global distribution objectives, and delivers a portfolio of innovative connectivity solutions, rate and inventory management tools, business intelligence reports, and online marketing expertise.

About Kempinski Hotels

Created in 1897, Kempinski Hotels is Europe's oldest luxury hotel group. Kempinski's rich heritage of impeccable personal service and superb hospitality is complemented by the exclusivity and individuality of its properties.  Kempinski now comprises a portfolio of 64 five-star hotels in 28 countries and continues to add new properties in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Each one reflects the strength and success of the Kempinski brand without losing sight of its heritage.  The portfolio comprises historic landmark properties, award-winning urban lifestyle hotels, outstanding resorts, and prestigious residences. Each one imbues the quality guests have come to expect from Kempinski while embracing the cultural traditions of its location. Kempinski is a founding member of the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA): the world's largest alliance of independent hotels.

Expedia is either a registered trademark or trademark of Expedia, Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Hotels.com is either a registered trademark or trademark of Hotels.com, LP.  Other logos or product and company names mentioned herein may be the property of their respective owners. © 2011 Expedia, Inc.  All rights reserved.  CST: 2029030-50