Now that Expedia Group has its tech stack in order, Vrbo plans to launch sponsored listings, and Expedia is likely to follow. Vrbo listings on Expedia are operating at a $1 billion annual run rate.
Vrbo thinks the sponsored listings will be a substantial financial “unlock” for the group. Airbnb, meanwhile, has talked up sponsored listings, but hasn’t launched them to date. It’s only a matter of time before Airbnb gets around to it, as well.
WEX + SKIFT
Airlines' payment infrastructure is becoming a key growth bottleneck. Without updating it, airlines risk falling behind on global expansion and digital retail ambitions.
EDITOR’S PICKS
Expedia Names Ex-Pinterest Exec to Lead Ads. The Pitch: Real Bookings, Not Intent.
June 1, 2026
Expedia's advertising program has one thing that Google and Meta can't offer — confirmed bookers. As such, advertisers can target travelers with set plans and try to entice them to book additional products.
Airbnb Names Booking.com Veteran in Hotel Leadership Shakeup
May 26, 2026
The hotel leadership shuffle represents somewhat of an about-face for Airbnb as it opts for a leader with online travel agency experience rather than a hotel brand track record. Still, these are early days for Airbnb hotels, and there is plenty of time to get things right.
SKIFT PODCAST NETWORK
In this clip, Vipul Hingne explains Booking’s core principle for AI (and any tech at scale): shipping is not enough. If you deploy something without the ability to operate it, it won’t work.
SKIFT TRAVEL 200
How are public travel tech companies performing around the world? The Skift Travel 200 pulls the data you need to know to understand the market. Paid subscribers get full access here.
