Online Travel Agencies 2Q15 and 1H15: Amid Consolidation, Expedia Maintains the Lead

Summary

Macroeconomic trends continued to weigh on online travel agencies’ (OTAs) worldwide growth in 2Q15. A strengthened dollar put downward pressure on other currencies – including the euro – and made travel expensive in many markets. In addition, Greece’s financial bailout caused  jitters affecting commerce and travel across the eurozone, and the unraveling of China’s stock market toward the end of the second quarter began unsettling markets worldwide. Yet despite these headwinds, the cumulative gross bookings of 11 public OTAs climbed 13% in 1H15.