Online Travel Agencies 1Q11: As Domestic Growth Stalls, International Markets Beckon

Summary

The writing has been on the wall for online travel agencies (OTAs). OTA growth in the U.S. is slowing as the travel market recovers in 2011, and suppliers are gradually regaining more leverage over distribution.

Aggregate domestic gross bookings of the three public U.S. OTAs - Expedia, Orbitz and Priceline - slowed significantly to just 3% year over year in 1Q11. International gross bookings, however, grew at double-digit rates for all three; OTAs remain understandably bullish and aggressive about their overseas expansion.