Travel

Priceline Corporate Office

Priceline was founded by Jay Walker in 1997. The company was a product of the Walker Digital think tank.

Priceline.com launched in 1998. Their “name your own price” strategy proved wildly successful using William Shatner as their spokesperson.

In 1999, the company goes public. One month later, the stock is trading at 10x the IPO price.

In 2000, the company acquires LowestFares.com. Jay Walker resigns from the company.

In 2007, the company acquires Agoda.

In 2012, the company acquired Kayak.com.

Today, priceline.com is one of the most popular discount travel sites online.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Priceline and other travel companies are struggling, with Priceline posting a loss in the second quarter of .57 cents in February 2021.

Priceline maintains a corporate office in Norwalk, Connecticut.

Priceline.com

Priceline was founded by Jay Walker in 1997. The company was a product of the Walker Digital think tank.

Priceline.com launched in 1998. Their “name your own price” strategy proved wildly successful using William Shatner as their spokesperson.

History

In 1999, the company goes public. One month later, the stock is trading at 10x the IPO price.

In 2000, the company acquires LowestFares.com. Jay Walker resigns from the company.

In 2007, the company acquires Agoda.

In 2012, the company acquired Kayak.com.

Today, priceline.com is one of the most popular discount travel sites online.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Priceline and other travel companies are struggling, with Priceline posting a loss in the second quarter of .57 cents in February 2021.

Priceline maintains a corporate office in Norwalk, Connecticut.

HomeAway Corporate Office

HomeAway was founded in 2005 in Austin, Texas by current CEO Brian Sharples and Carl Shepherd.

In 2006, Homeaway.com was launched. The website allows consumers search for and book vacation rentals online. The site was a result of numerous acquisitions including CyberRentals.com, GreatRentals.com, A1Vacations.com, TripHomes.com, Homeaway.co.uk and VRBO.com.

More acquisitions followed in 2007 including VacationRentals.com, Arbritel.fr and OwnersDirect.co.uk.

In 2009, the company moved into a brand new global headquarters in Austin.

In 2010, the company launches a nationwide advertising campaign using Chevy Chase and Beverly DeAngelo in a Griswald themed Superbowl commercial.

Also in 2010, the company acquires BedAndBreakfast.com and Escapia.

Homeaway currently has over 560,000 property listings worldwide.

HomeAway

HomeAway was founded in 2005 in Austin, Texas by current CEO Brian Sharples and Carl Shepherd.

More acquisitions followed in 2007 including VacationRentals.com, Arbritel.fr and OwnersDirect.co.uk.

History

In 2009, the company moved into a brand new global headquarters in Austin.

In 2010, the company launches a nationwide advertising campaign using Chevy Chase and Beverly DeAngelo in a Griswald themed Superbowl commercial.

Also in 2010, the company acquires BedAndBreakfast.com and Escapia.

Homeaway currently has over 560,000 property listings worldwide.

Carnival Cruise Lines Corporate Office

Carnival Cruise Lines was founded by Ted Arison in 1972 with the purchase of the Empress of Canada ship. The same year, the company’s maiden voyage on the TSS Mardi Gras, runs aground near Miami.

In 1975, the company purchases the Empress of Britain, which it renames to TSS Carnivale.

In 1982, the Tropicale is unveiled and a shipbuilding boom begins in the cruise industry.

In 1984, Carnival is the first cruise line to advertise on television. Carnival becomes the most popular cruise line in the world during the late 1980s.

In 1990, Carnival begins production on their Fantasy class ships. In 1999, Carnival unveils their Triumph class ships.

In 2001, the Spirit class is introduced.

In recent years, Carnival has been plagued by stranded ships including a fire on Carnival Splendor in 2010. A fire on Carnival Triumph, a generator failure on Carnival Dream and mechanical problems on Carnival Legend have all occurred in the first 3 months of 2013.

Today, Carnival operates 24 cruise ships.

Carnival Cruise Lines

Carnival Cruise Lines was founded by Ted Arison in 1972 with the purchase of the Empress of Canada ship. The same year, the company’s maiden voyage on the TSS Mardi Gras, runs aground near Miami.

In 1975, the company purchases the Empress of Britain, which it renames to TSS Carnivale.

In 1982, the Tropicale is unveiled and a shipbuilding boom begins in the cruise industry.

History

In 1984, Carnival is the first cruise line to advertise on television. Carnival becomes the most popular cruise line in the world during the late 1980s.

In 1990, Carnival begins production on their Fantasy class ships. In 1999, Carnival unveils their Triumph class ships.

In 2001, the Spirit class is introduced.

Today, Carnival operates 24 cruise ships.

Expedia Corporate Office

Expedia.com was launched in 1996 by a small division of Microsoft as a new way for consumers to research and book travel.

In 1999, the division was spun off as a separate company and went public. In 2002, IAC took a controlling interest in Expedia.

The company grew quickly with acquisitions of Hotwire.com, Hotels.com, and Tripadvisor.

Today, Expedia is the largest online travel portal with over 100 websites. The company operates worldwide in more than 30 languages with over 22,000 employees. Annual revenue in 2017 was $10.6 billion.

Online booking site Nustay filed a complaint in May 2019 with the European Unions claiming Booking.Com and the Expedia group were attempting to “kill off” the start-up company by cutting prices and punishing hotels that listed with them.

The state of Utah is also investigating Marriott Hotels and Expedia to see if they violated anti-trust laws by limiting searches to keep prices artificially high.

Expedia

Expedia.com was launched in 1996 by a small division of Microsoft as a new way for consumers to research and book travel.

In 1999, the division was spun off as a separate company and went public. In 2002, IAC took a controlling interest in Expedia.

History

The company grew quickly with acquisitions of Hotwire.com, Hotels.com, and Tripadvisor.

The state of Utah is also investigating Marriott Hotels and Expedia to see if they violated anti-trust laws by limiting searches to keep prices artificially high.