Who Owns VRBO?
VRBO is owned by Expedia Group, a publicly traded American multinational company traded on NASDAQ under ticker EXPE. VRBO was acquired by Expedia Group in 2015 through the acquisition of HomeAway and is headquartered in Seattle, Washington, USA.
Parent Company
Expedia Group
Acquired
2015
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
Seattle, Washington, USA
Who Owns VRBO?
- Parent Company: Expedia Group
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Acquisition Year: 2015
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: NASDAQ: EXPE
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| VRBO | Expedia Group | Wholly owned |
History of VRBO
- Founded: 1995
- Founders: Brian Sharples, Carl Shepherd
- Acquired by Expedia Group: 2015
VRBO (Vacation Rentals by Owner) was founded in 1995 by Brian Sharples and Carl Shepherd as one of the first online vacation rental platforms. The company was created to help homeowners rent their vacation properties directly to travelers, offering an alternative to traditional hotel accommodations.
The platform grew steadily throughout the late 1990s and 2000s, expanding its property inventory and geographic reach. VRBO pioneered many features now standard in vacation rental booking, including property photos, detailed descriptions, and secure booking systems.
In 2006, VRBO was acquired by HomeAway, which continued to operate VRBO as a distinct brand while expanding its portfolio of vacation rental websites. In 2015, Expedia Group acquired HomeAway for $3.9 billion, bringing VRBO into the Expedia Group portfolio. In 2019, Expedia Group unified all its vacation rental properties under the VRBO brand name.
About Expedia Group
What does Expedia Group own?
Expedia Group owns a portfolio of online travel brands including Expedia, Hotels.com, Vrbo (vacation rentals), Orbitz, Travelocity, Hotwire, Wotif (Australia and New Zealand), and a majority stake in Trivago (hotel metasearch). The company also operates Expedia for Business, a B2B technology platform serving travel agencies and other businesses.
Is Expedia Group publicly traded?
Yes, Expedia Group, Inc. is listed on NASDAQ under ticker EXPE. Barry Diller retains significant voting control through a dual-class share structure. Major institutional shareholders include Vanguard Group and BlackRock. Ariane Gorin serves as President and CEO.
Who founded Expedia Group?
Expedia was founded in 1996 as a division of Microsoft by Rich Barton and Lloyd Frink. Microsoft spun off Expedia as an independent company in 1999. IAC/InterActiveCorp acquired a controlling stake in 2001 and built the company into a multi-brand online travel group. Expedia was spun off from IAC as an independent company in 2005.
Where is Expedia Group headquartered?
Expedia Group is headquartered in Seattle, Washington, USA. The company moved its headquarters from Bellevue, Washington to Seattle in 2019. Expedia operates globally with significant operations in the United States, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America.
How many brands does Expedia Group own?
Expedia Group owns seven or more travel brands, including Expedia, Hotels.com, Vrbo, Orbitz, Travelocity, Hotwire, and Wotif. The company also holds a majority stake in Trivago. Expedia Group's platforms collectively serve hundreds of millions of travelers annually.
Who owns Expedia Group?
Expedia Group, Inc. is publicly traded on NASDAQ. Barry Diller retains significant voting control through a dual-class share structure. Major institutional shareholders include Vanguard Group and BlackRock. Ariane Gorin serves as President and CEO.
- Founded: 1996
- Headquarters: Seattle, Washington, USA
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: NASDAQ: EXPE
Where Is VRBO Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Seattle, Washington, USA
- Manufacturing / Operations: United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Various global offices
Brands Owned by Expedia Group
- Expedia - American online travel agency and metasearch engine that allows consumers to boo...
- Hotels.com - Online accommodation booking platform specializing in hotel reservations, vacati...
- Wotif - Australian online travel booking platform founded in 2000 by Graeme Wood, acquir...
VRBO Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Specialized focus on vacation rentals with extensive property inventory
- +Strong brand recognition in vacation rental market
- +Direct booking with property owners and managers
- +Property protection and booking guarantees
- +Mobile app with easy search and booking features
- +Alternative accommodation options for families and groups
Considerations
- -Service fees and booking charges on reservations
- -Property quality can vary significantly between listings
- -Customer service quality can vary by region and issue type
- -Competition from Airbnb and other vacation rental platforms
- -Cancellation policies vary by property owner
Frequently Asked Questions About VRBO
Competitors to VRBO
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Booking Holdings | USA | 1997 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Booking Holdings | Singapore | 2005 | Mass Market | Global | All Genders | |
| Booking Holdings | Netherlands | 1996 | Mass Market | Global | All Genders | |
| Booking Holdings | USA | 2000 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| The Travel Corporation | United Kingdom | 1947 | Mass Market | Global | All Genders |
Learn More About Competitors
Priceline
Owned by Booking Holdings
American online travel agency and booking platform known for its "Name Your Price" discount model and comprehensive travel booking services including flights, hotels, and car rentals.
Agoda
Owned by Booking Holdings
Singapore-based online travel platform and hotel booking service specializing in Asian markets with global expansion, offering accommodations, flights, and travel packages.
Booking.com
Owned by Booking Holdings
Dutch online accommodation booking platform and digital travel technology company that specializes in hotel reservations and lodging bookings worldwide.
RentalCars.com
Owned by Booking Holdings
Online car rental booking platform that allows customers to compare prices and book rental cars from major car rental companies worldwide.
Trafalgar Tours
Owned by The Travel Corporation
Guided tour company offering escorted coach tours and vacation packages to destinations worldwide, specializing in hassle-free travel experiences with expert tour directors.
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: VRBO competes with 5 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
Expedia Group Stock Information
Jobs at Expedia Group
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