Travel giant Expedia Group Inc. is streamlining operations with a new round of layoffs impacting 84 employees at its Austin office. This follows an earlier announcement in February 2024 that targeted 64 positions, bringing the total impacted in Austin for the year to 148.
The news comes amidst a broader restructuring effort at Expedia, with the company planning to eliminate approximately 1,500 roles globally. The specific roles affected in Austin remain undisclosed.
“Optimizing for Growth”
In a statement, Expedia cites the completion of key technical milestones as a reason for the workforce review. The company emphasizes that this is a strategic move to “prioritize essential work” and invest in “key growth areas.”
“While some roles may be affected,” the statement continues, “this review allows for investment in talent in the Austin market.”
A History of Restructuring
This isn’t the first time Expedia has trimmed its Austin presence. The company established its foothold through the 2015 acquisition of HomeAway, which later became Vrbo, a major player in the short-term rental space.
Despite financial growth – Expedia reported $12.8 billion in revenue for 2023 – the company has seen “softness in gross bookings,” particularly in airfare. This, combined with previous staff reductions in 2020 and 2023, paints a picture of a travel tech giant seeking to optimize its operations in a potentially shifting market.
The upcoming May 2 earnings call for Q1 2024 might shed further light on Expedia’s financial health and future plans.
First reported by BizJournals
