One of the world’s leading travel companies, Expedia, has released its operating results for the third quarter of 2009.

There has been significant growth in Expedia’s online penetration due to increased familiarity and usage with the internet by consumers, with expenditure rising accordingly. In the US, online spending grew by 58% and by 33% in Europe as the tourism industry bounces back from a recession hit first half of the year.

Online investment has grown massively over the past few years, and although the rise has attracted new competitors the forecast if for continued growth.

Expedia is part of the Global Reach network which is a major player in the both the North American and international market. The group is also expanding in the keys markets of Asia and the Pacific with Chinese travellers being the primary focus. European customers are predominantly hotel customers and for the year to date have accounted for 35% of worldwide revenue on the back of a 33% share of global hotel bookings. Overall, 60% of Expedia’s revenue is generated from hotel based transactions, with air travel comprising 15%. Expedia offers comprehensive packages or stand alone products.

Global hotel revenue for the organisation rose by 3% over the past 3 months compared with the 2008 period, mainly because of increased room nights which rose by 27%. The results were aided by the purchase of European travel specialist Venere which was bought last year. Actual expenditure per night dropped by 14% as discounts were offered to entice greater bookings the economic downturn. The worldwide trend for hotel revenue was on average down by 2%.