During an interview with CNBC, Expedia CEO Ariane Gorin discussed the current impact of artificial intelligence on travel booking, noting that while AI agents like Meta's Muse and OpenAI's Dots are gaining traction, they have not yet changed how customers book travel.
Gorin emphasized that these AI tools could enhance trip planning and inspiration but acknowledged that the complexities of customer service and trust in accurate information remain challenges for AI agents. She stated that Expedia is actively collaborating with AI agents to ensure its visibility in search results and to understand their information sourcing.
Despite a strong third quarter, where gross bookings rose 11% and revenue increased by 12%, Expedia's shares fell approximately 12% following the announcement of its fourth-quarter revenue guidance, which projected between $3.69 billion and $3.75 billion—lower than analyst expectations.
Gorin attributed this guidance moderation to geopolitical events, the midterm elections, and a shift in the timing of the company's fall sale