Trivago

German online travel search metasearch engine that allows users to compare prices and availability of hotels and accommodations across multiple booking sites.

Company Type

public

Founded

2005

Headquarters

Düsseldorf, Germany

Stock

Frankfurt Stock Exchange: TRV

Revenue

approximately €556 million (FY2024)

Employees

Approximately 1,000

Primary Market

Global

About Trivago

Trivago operates as a hotel metasearch engine, generating revenue through multiple streams:

Advertising Fees: Paid placements from hotel booking partners
Referral Commissions: Commissions when users click through to booking sites
Premium Listings: Enhanced visibility for hotels and booking partners
Display Advertising: Banner ads and promotional content

The company does not sell hotel rooms directly but instead aggregates prices from hundreds of booking sites, including Expedia, Booking.com, Hotels.com, and direct hotel websites, allowing users to compare prices and availability in one place.

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History of Trivago

Trivago was founded in 2005 by Stephan Schultze-Schrepping, Peter Vinnemeier, Malte Siewert, and Rolf Schromgens in Düsseldorf, Germany. The company was created as a hotel price comparison website to help travelers find the best hotel deals across multiple booking platforms.

Throughout the late 2000s, Trivago expanded rapidly across European markets, establishing itself as a leading hotel metasearch engine. The company developed proprietary technology to aggregate hotel prices from various booking sites and present comprehensive comparisons to users.

In 2012, Expedia Group acquired a majority stake in Trivago, providing capital for global expansion. Trivago went public on the NASDAQ stock exchange in 2016 under the ticker TRVG. However, in 2021, the original founders led a management buyback of Expedia's stake, regaining control of the company and relisting on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.

Brands Owned by Trivago

Trivago owns 0 brands in our database.

Stock Information

Trivago Ownership: Pros & Cons

Advantages

+Independent operation with focus on hotel metasearch specialization
+Strong brand recognition in price comparison market
+German corporate identity with European market expertise
+Technology focus on search algorithms and user experience
+Global reach with localized market support
+Direct relationships with hotel partners and booking sites

Considerations

-Intense competition from other metasearch engines and direct booking sites
-Dependence on advertising revenue from booking partners
-Vulnerability to changes in booking site commission structures
-Need for continuous technology investment to maintain search quality
-Market concentration among major hotel booking platforms

Frequently Asked Questions About Trivago

Is Trivago owned by another company?

No, Trivago operates as an independent publicly traded company. While it was majority-owned by Expedia Group from 2012 to 2021, the original founders regained control through a management buyback in 2021, and the company has been independent since then.

Is Trivago publicly traded?

Yes, Trivago is publicly traded on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol TRV. The company was previously listed on NASDAQ as TRVG before relisting in Frankfurt following the management buyback.

When was Trivago founded?

Trivago was founded in 2005 by Stephan Schultze-Schrepping, Peter Vinnemeier, Malte Siewert, and Rolf Schromgens in Düsseldorf, Germany. The company has been operating as a hotel metasearch platform for over 15 years.

Who created Trivago?

Trivago was created by its four founders: Stephan Schultze-Schrepping, Peter Vinnemeier, Malte Siewert, and Rolf Schromgens. The founders developed the concept of hotel price comparison to help travelers find the best deals across multiple booking sites.

What is Trivago's market position?

Trivago is one of the world's leading hotel metasearch engines, competing with Google Hotels, Kayak, and other price comparison platforms. The brand maintains strong positions in European markets and serves millions of users globally with hotel price comparisons.