Expedia wins Partner of the Year

MONDAY, DECEMBER 5: Expedia won the Partner of the Year award from the Bermuda Department of Tourism.

The award was presented at the annual North American Tour Operators Summit in November. 

Representatives from Tourism, the Bermuda Hotel Association and Bermuda Alliance for Tourism Sales and Marketing Committee hosted the Summit to update and encourage tour operators and travel partners, such as Expedia, to continue selling the island to travellers. 

Expedia is Bermuda's longest-running online travel agency partner, and parent company to multiple global online travel brands including Expedia.com and Hotels.com.

Expedia has continued developing its partnership with the Bermuda Department of Tourism as well as individual properties, finding innovative ways to deliver business to the island. 

In 2010, the global partnership saw growth from several of Bermuda's key markets — including Canada, the United Kingdom and Italy — and delivered more than 35,000 total room nights to the island's hotels.

Trish Korzeniowski, Caribbean market manager at Expedia, said: “Expedia is honoured to be selected as Bermuda's Partner of the Year.

“As the global leader in travel, Expedia is proud to join together with Bermuda as a top destination in the region and will continue to work together to help Bermuda to grow their numbers and reach even more travelers around the world.”

In the first half of 2011, Expedia invited the Department of Tourism to participate in several creative marketing and social media campaigns. 

The island saw an obvious spike in bookings as a result of a Facebook game created by Expedia.com called "Friendtrips,” as well as wallpaper marketing opportunities on the company's US, Canadian and UK websites.

Anne Shutte, director of global operations for the DOT, said: "The team at Expedia is constantly presenting new opportunities and timely marketing solutions to influence our island's bottom line.