Expedia is evolving into travel infrastructure, offering APIs and AI tools to power third-party booking platforms. Meanwhile, Airbnb is redesigning itself around emotional connection, launching services like massage, catering, and more.
We explore how two travel giants—Expedia and Airbnb—are taking very different but equally transformative approaches to the future of hospitality: one through infrastructure and tech, the other through emotional connection and human-centred design.
Expedia Group is stepping into a new role: the infrastructure powering the global travel industry. With more than 60,000 active B2B partners, the company is no longer just a booking platform—it’s a tech ecosystem offering APIs and AI tools that enable third parties to operate like full-fledged online travel agencies.
Key highlights:
New APIs now support cars, activities, flights, insurance, and reservation management
Expedia’s tools allow partners to build custom booking platforms using Expedia’s data and backend systems
Smart advertising features help brands optimise performance and visibility within the Expedia network
A new AI agent on Hotels.com provides real-time trip support—suggesting destinations, editing bookings, and managing queries using Expedia’s rich first-party data
What makes this different? It’s not just another integration—it’s a full-stack strategy to power the “connected trip” vision. From content moderation to personalised discovery, Expedia is weaving together commerce, convenience, and automation to make travel seamless and scalable for both partners and travellers.
While Expedia is focusing on infrastructure, Airbnb is doubling down on emotion. CEO Brian Chesky has relaunched Airbnb with a deeply personal mission: to create a platform that helps people feel less alone.
With the return of Airbnb Experiences and the launch of Airbnb Services—offering access to chefs, massage therapists, personal trainers, and more—the company is moving beyond the traditional stay. Chesky envisions a platform that:
Supports daily life as much as it does travel
Facilitates emotional connection, not just transactions
Encourages social discovery, shared moments, and tailored itineraries
To support this vision, Airbnb has been rebuilt from the ground up:
A fully redesigned mobile app
A refreshed infrastructure to support faster, more dynamic discovery
Smart, profile-based customisation that links interests, plans, and people
In essence, Airbnb is evolving into a lifestyle ecosystem, where booking a stay is just one small part of a much larger experience. This shift could redefine what it means to be a host—not just providing a place to stay, but creating moments that matter.
Embrace tech partnerships: As platforms like Expedia evolve into infrastructure providers, STR professionals should look for ways to leverage their tools for automation, distribution, and personalisation.
Go beyond the stay: Airbnb’s expansion into services suggests that guests want more than accommodation—they want connection, experience, and convenience. Can you offer a private chef? A yoga session? Local guides?
Focus on emotional value: The STRs that will thrive are those that create a sense of belonging—through thoughtful touches, personal communication, and experiences tailored to the guest’s journey.
Ready to elevate your direct booking game? Visit the Boostly website for the tools, strategies, and support you need to succeed in 2025 and beyond. And remember: Book Direct.