Expedia Group Inc. has named Ariane Gorin as the new CEO, replacing Peter Kern, who has been in the position since 2020. Gorin, who played a key role at Expedia since 2013 and most recently served as president of the enterprise division, will officially take the reins on May 13th, after Kern’s contract comes to an end. Kern, who will transition to the role of vice chairman and board member, guided the online travel company through a challenging period during the pandemic, when global lockdowns severely impacted the travel industry.
During Kern’s tenure, Expedia underwent technical upgrades and launched a loyalty program across its various platforms, which has caused some disruption but is expected to contribute to faster and more profitable growth in the long run. However, the company still faces challenges in regaining market share lost to competitors like Airbnb and Booking Holdings Inc. Now, with Gorin taking over as CEO, analysts believe there will be a shift in focus from consolidation and transformation to aggressive growth, particularly in the B2B division of the company.
While this move in leadership and change in strategic direction has caught the market by surprise, it also signals Expedia’s aim for more aggressive growth and bigger marketing expenses to gain share in the consumer travel industry. As Gorin, who has been integral to the growth of Expedia’s B2B business, steps into her new role, the travel booking website is preparing for a new phase of driving and growing its business. Expedia’s shares experienced a 13% drop in extended trading following the announcement of the leadership change, demonstrating the uncertainty that lies ahead.
