The Future of Travel: Vrbo’s Big Comeback & Klook’s Global Expansion

The Future of Travel: Vrbo’s Big Comeback & Klook’s Global Expansion

The short-term rental and travel experiences industries are evolving rapidly, with major players making strategic moves to capture market share. Vrbo is making a strong comeback with international expansion and flexible booking options, while Klook is scaling globally with a $100 million investment to fuel growth. Here’s what these developments mean for property managers and travel businesses.

Vrbo’s Comeback and 2025 Growth Strategy

Strong Recovery After a Rocky Transition

After a challenging period integrating into Expedia’s unified platform, Vrbo closed 2024 with double-digit growth in bookings and revenue. A major driver of this recovery was the return of key features that enhanced user experience and conversion rates:

• Dateless search options for flexible trip planning.
• Property comparisons to help travelers make informed decisions.

2025 Focus: Flexibility and Expansion

Vrbo is aligning with key industry trends by introducing:

• New rate types to provide more competitive pricing.
• Guest-friendly cancellation policies to attract more bookings.
• Expanded presence in urban markets, a shift from its traditional focus on vacation rentals.

Global Expansion: Key Markets to Watch

Vrbo is targeting Southern Europe, Japan, and Australia as priority growth regions. For property managers in these areas, now is the time to optimize listings and adopt Vrbo’s new flexible booking strategies to maximize exposure and bookings.

With a renewed strategy emphasizing flexibility, urban rentals, and international growth, Vrbo is positioning itself as a strong competitor in the short-term rental market.

Klook’s $100 Million Expansion and AI-Driven Growth

Investment Backing and Expansion Plans

Asia’s leading travel experiences platform, Klook, has secured $100 million in funding from Vitruvian Partners, signaling a major push toward global expansion.

Already dominating Asia’s tours and activities sector, Klook is doubling down on:

• AI-powered customer service to streamline the booking process.
• Social commerce and influencer marketing to engage younger travelers.
• A new TikTok booking integration to reach Gen Z and millennial travelers who prefer booking directly through social media.

Western Market Expansion & Key Partnerships

Beyond Asia, Klook is expanding into Western markets, leveraging partnerships with Booking.com and other travel brands. With experiences becoming a bigger priority for modern travelers, Klook is capitalizing on the growing demand for tours and activities.

The tours and activities sector is booming, and Klook’s AI-driven, social-first strategy makes it one of the most exciting platforms to watch in 2025.

What This Means for Property Managers & Travel Businesses

1. Vrbo’s Growth = More Opportunities – Property managers should optimize their listings and pricing strategies to align with Vrbo’s flexibility and global expansion.
2. Experiences Are the Future – Travelers are prioritizing unique activities over material goods, and Klook’s rapid growth highlights the importance of offering curated experiences alongside accommodations.
3. AI and Social Commerce Are Reshaping Travel – AI-driven personalization and influencer marketing are becoming key booking drivers, making it essential for businesses to integrate these strategies into their marketing plans.

For expert insights on maximizing direct bookings and adapting to industry changes, visit the Boostly website today.

Stay ahead of the trends, embrace new opportunities, and remember—book direct.