blog category

Maryland travelers may appreciate the implications of a merger between online travel businesses Expedia and Orbitz. Expedia has agreed to pay in excess of $1 billion to acquire its competitor, which is expected to strengthen Expedia's ability to negotiate lower pricing with airlines and hotels. Both Expedia and Priceline, the company's biggest competitor, have been working to dominate the online market as the Internet has become one of the most common methods used for booking travel services. According to industry experts, this larger share of the market will allow Expedia to enjoy a stronger position in the chain of distribution, making it possible to compete for better terms with travel service providers. Those representing officials in the airline sector indicate concern due to the effects on competition and customer activities. Officials within the hotel sector express concerns about the impact on consumer choices. These industries are worried that the deal…