Expedia Partner Solutions (EPS), one of the brands of Expedia Group, has launched a new partnership with Travala, the leading cryptocurrency-friendly accommodation booking platform with over 2 million hotels in 230 countries.
Powered by EPS’s versatile API, Rapid, more than 700’000 Expedia Group hotels and accommodations are now available via Travala.com. On the site, travelers can book trips using more than 30 forms of cryptocurrency, including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Binance Coin (BNB) and AVA, Travala.com’s native cryptocurrency and soon Elrond (ERD).
Alfonso Paredes, Senior Vice President at Expedia Group, says: “At EPS we are passionate about innovation and recognize that booking and payment choice continues to evolve in a fast-changing world.
Our aim is to support Travala.com to scale their business faster than ever before. Through our expansive travel supply, partner support and cutting-edge technology, we specialize in helping partners like Travala.com build fantastic experiences for their travelers.”
Juan Otero, CEO and Co-founder, Travala.com, says:
“With cryptocurrency adoption on the rise, we want to ensure our users have payment choice and transparent pricing for every trip booked. EPS Rapid is the best API product in the travel industry and this partnership unlocks greater accommodation choice and availability for our users, including 4- and 5-star hotels in top destinations.
Our latest month-on-month data shows consumer confidence and the desire for travel is returning, with an 81% increase in room nights booked and website traffic up 50% week-on-week. Working with Expedia means we can drive traveler loyalty throughout the recovery period, offering unparalleled last-minute availability and fantastic rates and offers.”
In May 2020, with backing from the industry-leading blockchain company Binance, Travala.com merged with TravelbyBit to create one of the world’s largest blockchain-based travel agencies, enabling further ease of payment for travel bookings with cryptocurrencies.
Changpeng Zhao, CEO and Founder, Binance, says:
“Travala.com has proven their ability to build a world-class travel booking platform. We’re excited to see the development of Travala.com’s relationship with Expedia Group, as they enhance the use of cryptocurrency in travel.”
In 2018, Expedia Group introduced EPS Rapid to give companies with a travel offering access to competitive accommodation rates and availability from a portfolio of over 700,000 properties with 35+ different property types in more than 35,000 destinations worldwide. The API allows companies across the globe to customize their travel offering end-to-end, from shopping to booking and payment.