BELLEVUE, Wash., Dec. 6, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — Expedia, Inc. announced today that its stockholders overwhelmingly approved the spin-off of TripAdvisor, Inc. and the related proposals submitted at Expedia’s annual meeting of stockholders held earlier today, including the one-for-two reverse stock split proposal, the conversion of the outstanding shares of Expedia Series A preferred stock into the right to receive a fixed amount of cash pursuant to a merger, and various amendments to Expedia’s certificate of incorporation. The approval included a favorable vote by more than a majority of the non-management shares. Expedia® expects the transaction to close on or about December 20, 2011, including implementation of a one-for-two reverse stock split of Expedia stock immediately prior to the spin-off.

In addition, the proposals submitted to stockholders with respect to the re-election of all members of the Expedia board of directors, ratification of the appointment of Expedia’s independent auditor and the advisory vote on executive compensation were also approved, and stockholders recommended three years as the frequency with which advisory votes on executive compensation would be held. Expedia will file the final, certified vote results on a Current Report on Form 8-K when available.

The Nasdaq Global Market has advised Expedia that both TripAdvisor® common stock and Expedia common stock (on a post spin-off basis) will trade on a “when-issued” post-reverse stock split basis on Nasdaq under the symbols “TRIPV” and “EXPEV” respectively, from December 7, 2011 through the completion of the spin-off, which is currently expected to occur on or about December 20, 2011. During this period, Expedia common stock will continue regular way trading on Nasdaq under its existing symbol, “EXPE.” On the first trading day after the spin-off is completed, which trading day is currently expected to be on or about December 21, 2011, regular way trading will commence for TripAdvisor under the symbol “TRIP” and will continue for EXPE under the symbol “EXPE.”

Upon completion of the spin-off, Expedia will cease to have any ownership interest in TripAdvisor, and TripAdvisor will become an independent publicly traded company, with the stockholders of Expedia immediately prior to the spin-off holding all of the shares of TripAdvisor stock.

TripAdvisor, Inc. will be based in Newton, Massachusetts and Expedia, Inc. will remain headquartered in Bellevue, Washington.

Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are not guarantees of future performance. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s expectations as of December 6, 2011 and assumptions which are inherently subject to uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. The use of words such as “intends” and – “expects,” among others, generally identify forward-looking statements. However, these words are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements and may include statements relating to future revenues, expenses, margins, profitability, net income / (loss), earnings per share and other measures of results of operations and the prospects for future growth of Expedia, Inc.’s business.

Actual results and the timing and outcome of events may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements for a variety of reasons, including, among others: declines or disruptions in the travel industry; changes in our relationships and contractual agreements with travel suppliers or supplier intermediaries; risks relating to the announced spin-off of our TripAdvisor business; increases in the costs of maintaining and enhancing our brand awareness; changes in search engine algorithms and dynamics, or search engine disintermediation; our inability to adapt to technological developments or to maintain our existing technologies; our ability to expand successfully in international markets; changes in senior management; volatility in our stock price; changing laws, rules and regulations and legal uncertainties relating to our business; unfavorable new, or adverse application of existing, tax laws, rules or regulations; adverse outcomes in legal proceedings to which we are party; provisions in certain credit card processing agreements that could adversely impact our liquidity and financial positions; fluctuations in our effective tax rate; our inability to access the capital markets when necessary; risks related to our long term indebtedness; fluctuations in foreign exchange rates; risks related to the failure of counterparties to perform on financial obligations; potential liabilities resulting from our processing, storage, use and disclosure of personal data; the integration of current and acquired businesses; the risk that our intellectual property is not protected from copying or use by others, including competitors; and other risks detailed in our public filings with the SEC, including our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 and quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2011.

Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking or other statements in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About Expedia, Inc. Expedia, Inc. is the largest online travel company in the world, with an extensive brand portfolio that includes more than 90 localized Expedia.com®- and Hotels.com®-branded sites; leading U.S. discount travel site Hotwire®; leading agency hotel company Venere.com(TM); Egencia®, the world’s fifth largest corporate travel management company; the world’s largest travel community TripAdvisor® Media Group; destination activities provider ExpediaLocalExpert®; luxury travel specialist Classic Vacations®; and China’s second largest booking site eLong(TM). The company delivers consumers value in leisure and business travel, drives incremental demand and direct bookings to travel suppliers, and provides advertisers vast opportunity to reach the most valuable audience of in-market travel consumers anywhere through TripAdvisor Media Group and Expedia Media Solutions. Expedia also powers bookings for some of the world’s leading airlines and hotels, top consumer brands, high traffic websites, and thousands of active affiliates through Expedia® Affiliate Network.

About TripAdvisor, Inc. TripAdvisor, Inc., the world’s largest travel site, is an online travel research company, that empowers users to plan and have the perfect trip. TripAdvisor’s travel research platform aggregates reviews and opinions of members about destinations, accommodations, restaurants and activities throughout the world through the flagship TripAdvisor brand. TripAdvisor-branded websites include tripadvisor.com in the United States and localized versions of the website in 29 other countries, including in China under the brand daodao.com, in 21 languages. TripAdvisor-branded websites globally received over 44 million unique visitors* in September 2011 and have built a marketable base of more than 20 million members and over 50 million reviews and opinions. Beyond travel-related content, TripAdvisor websites also include links to the websites of its advertisers, including travel advertisers, allowing travelers to directly book their travel arrangements. In addition to the flagship TripAdvisor brand, TripAdvisor manages and operates websites under 18 other travel media brands, connected by the common goal of providing comprehensive travel planning resources across the travel sector. In all TripAdvisor Media Group companies attract more than 65 million monthly visitors*.

TripAdvisor Media Group websites have been recognized as top travel resources in 2010 by Conde Naste Traveler, Good Housekeeping, TIME Magazine and Travel + Leisure. In 2011, TripAdvisor was voted the “Best Travel Information/Review Site” by the British Travel Awards and “Favourite Travel Website” by readers of the Telegraph in the UK. Headquartered in Newton, Massachusetts, TripAdvisor has been named on the “Boston Globe Top Places to Work list” in 2010 and 2011.

Source: Marketwire

RICHMOND, Va., Nov 16, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Travel spending will be up as more Americans plan trips over the river and through the woods this holiday season, according to the third annual Access America Vacation Confidence Index released today by Mondial Assistance USA. Nearly six in ten Americans (57 percent) are confident they will take a holiday trip this year, up from 50 percent in 2010. The increase in spending spurred by more travelers will translate to a nearly $6 billion bump for the travel industry as holiday travel spending is expected to reach $65.2 billion, a 10 percent increase from last year.

“This year’s survey illustrates some good news for the travel industry,” said Daniel Durazo, director of communications for Mondial Assistance. “More Americans are traveling this year compared to 2010, and that translates into billions of dollars in extra revenue for travel suppliers. And the good news for Americans is that more people expect to be able to travel this holiday season, reducing the Vacation Deficit by more than 10%.”

Overall Travel Spending is Up this Holiday

Travelers intend to spend $980 on average, down slightly from $1,040 budgeted on average last year. But with significantly more adults expecting to take a trip, overall spend will increase to $65.2 billion.

Car Travel Still Most Popular, But More Plan to Fly

– Air Travel Wins Big: While car travel is still the top mode of transportation (56 percent), more travelers intend to fly to their destinations this year than they have in the past. A third of travelers (34 percent) plan to fly this year, up from 26 percent last year, and 27 percent in 2009.

– Keeping it in the Family: Holiday and family go hand-in hand, so it is not surprising that two thirds of parents with children under 18 reported that a holiday vacation is important.

– Booking Sooner Rather than Later: Nearly half (49 percent) of Americans plan on booking their travel at least two months in advance (compared to 42 percent in 2010) and nearly a quarter intend to book their trip between one and two months out. — Mars vs. Venus Exception: Women may not find this surprising, but men are more likely to wait until the last minute to book holiday travel, with a third (32 percent) saying that they plan to book within a month of their departure (compared to 21 percent of women).

Vacation Deficit Index

This year the vacation deficit index, defined as those who believe it is important to take an annual holiday trip but are not confident they will take one, is down to one in five Americans (21 percent) from nearly one in three (32 percent) last year.

“What we’re seeing is that travel continues to be an important investment for Americans, even in unsettled economic times,” said Durazo. “The combination of increased travel, recovering travel costs and the uncertainty in the economy make travel insurance this year’s ‘must have’ stocking stuffer for holiday travelers.”

For more information or to book Access America travel insurance for holiday travel, visit http://accessamerica.com .

The Access America Vacation Confidence Index is based on a telephone survey conducted by Ipsos November 2-7, 2011 of a nationally representative sample of 1,000 randomly-selected adults aged 18 and over residing in the U.S. With a sample of this size, the results are considered accurate within ±3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, of what they would have been had the entire population of adults in the U.S. been polled. The margin of error will be larger within regions and for other sub-groupings of the survey population. These data were weighted to ensure the sample’s regional and age/gender composition reflects that of the actual U.S. population according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

About Mondial Assistance

Mondial Assistance, part of the Allianz group of companies, is a global leader in specialty insurance and emergency assistance services. In the United States, Mondial Assistance is a brand name of World Access Service Corp., which is best known for its Access America(R) brand of travel insurance and assistance services. The U.S. operation, one of 29 business units, serves major travel suppliers, health insurers, credit card, and entertainment companies with insurance products, international travel assistance, and concierge services. For more information, please visit www.mondialUSA.com and follow Mondial Assistance on Twitter at twitter.com/Mondial_Assist.

About Ipsos Public Affairs

Ipsos is a leading global survey-based market research company, owned and managed by research professionals that helps interpret, simulate, and anticipate the needs and responses of consumers, customers, and citizens around the world. Member companies assess market potential and interpret market trends to develop and test emergent or existing products or services, and build brands. They also test advertising and study audience responses to various media, and measure public opinion around the globe.

They help clients create long-term relationships with their customers, stakeholders or other constituencies. Ipsos member companies offer expertise in advertising, customer loyalty, marketing, media, and public affairs research, as well as forecasting, modeling, and consulting and offers a full line of custom, syndicated, omnibus, panel, and online research products and services, guided by industry experts and bolstered by advanced analytics and methodologies. The company was founded in 1975 and has been publicly traded since 1999. In 2010, Ipsos generated global revenues of EUR1,140.8 million ($1.6 billion U.S.). Visit www.ipsos.com to learn more about Ipsos offerings and capabilities.

SOURCE: Mondial Assistance USA

Located on the much talked about Saadiyat Island, Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas will open its doors today. Less than a mile off the coast of Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island is poised to become the art and culture hub of the Middle East, and Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi will be a tranquil escape for jetsetters and business travelers alike. Designed as an urban resort, the hotel offers all of the amenities and seclusion of an island oasis with the exciting attractions of the capital city only moments away.

Location

The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority has said that it expects to receive 2.7 million visitors by 2012, with international key attractions such as the Corniche, Emirates Heritage Village, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, and the Yas Marina. With plans underway to open a Louvre Abu Dhabi, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, and the Zayed National Museum, the island will become a hotspot for the culturally curious. Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas is surrounded by over five miles of pristine beaches and is neighbor to the world-famous, Gary Player-designed Saadiyat Beach Golf Club.

Rooms, Suites, and Villas

Designed by New York-based architects Perkins Eastman and Singapore-based designers Wilson Associates, the hotel incorporates energy-efficient design techniques that meet LEED’s silver standards while also complementing the island’s natural beauty. To bring the outdoors in, each of the spacious 306 rooms, suites, and villas has a separate balcony or terrace. All Beach View Suites, Garden View Suites, and Villas have large private terraces with plunge pools, outdoor rain showers, and sun beds. In addition to the private pools, guests will love the hotel’s four large swimming pools and beachfront location.

Dining Options

The hotel’s restaurants offer an authentic taste of local cuisine to be enjoyed indoors or al fresco. The Café is the stylish all-day-dining restaurant serving Arabic specialties complemented by Western comfort food, while The Park Bar & Grill specializes in Western and Asian cuisine served from a theatrical show kitchen. Serving homemade Mediterranean dishes, the Beach House’s rooftop location is the perfect spot to enjoy the amazing views of the stunning turquoise waters that surround Abu Dhabi.

Atarmia Spa

Using treatment ingredients steeped in Arabian history as well as Kerstin Florian and Natura Bisse products, Atarmia Spa takes guests on a sensory journey reminiscent of ancient Arabia’s aromatic history. Opulence of Atarmia, one of the spa’s signature treatments, features lavish ingredients such as gemstones, diamond dust, honey, and hot olive oil. This treatment includes luxurious therapies for the face, hair, and body, including a hot stone massage and the choice of either an Opulence Caviar or Diamond Experience facial.

Spread out over two floors, the spa features nine spacious treatment rooms, outdoor private terraces, fitness facilities, a stretching studio, sun lounges, a sauna, steam room, whirlpool room, tennis court, and an ice fountain.

The Residence

The hotel is home to the United Arab Emirates’ first residential-style, multi-functional event venue, aptly named The Residence. Designed to feel like a stylish home rather than a meeting space, the venue has five smartly decorated rooms with names like The Living Room and The Kitchen, an inner courtyard, the latest audio-visual technology, and a dedicated team of hosts and chefs, making The Residence a chic spot for any social or business gathering.

Opening Rates and Reservations

Rates start at AED 1200 per night (approximately $326). Reservations may be made by visiting www.abudhabi.park.hyatt.com, by calling +1 877 875 4658, or by contacting a Hyatt Worldwide Reservations Center or travel specialist.

About Park Hyatt

Park Hyatt provides discerning, affluent individual business and leisure guests with elegant and luxurious accommodations. Guests of Park Hyatt receive highly attentive personal service in an intimate environment. Located in many of the world’s premier destinations, each Park Hyatt is custom designed to combine sophistication with distinctive regional character. Park Hyatt features well-appointed guestrooms, meeting and special event spaces for smaller groups, critically acclaimed art and food and beverage programs, and signature restaurants featuring award-winning chefs. There are currently 26 Park Hyatt hotels with locations that include Baku, Beaver Creek, Beijing, Buenos Aires, Canberra, Chicago, Dubai, Goa, Hamburg, Istanbul, Jeddah, Maldives, Melbourne, Mendoza, Milan, Moscow, Paris, Saigon, San Diego, Seoul, Shanghai, Sydney, Tokyo, Toronto, Washington D.C., and Zurich. For more information, please visit www.parkhyatt.com.

RECEIVES WORLD TRAVEL AWARD FOR SUSTAINABILITY

“Australasia’s Leading Green Hotel” Award is the Resort’s Second Win in the Category

VANUA LEVU, Fiji – Sept. 29, 2011 – Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort announces the World Travel Awards has named it “Australasia’s Leading Green Hotel” in 2011. In the selection process, 213,000 travel industry professionals in more than 160 countries worldwide voted for the most excellent travel providers. The World Travel Awards was launched in 1993 to recognize excellence in all segments of the global travel and tourism industry, and the voting process is monitored and independently audited.

The resort also previously received “Australasia’s Leading Green Hotel” in 2008, the first year the category was included, and has been awarded a total of seven honors by the World Travel Awards, including “Fiji’s Leading Resort” in 2009, 2008 and 2005. In 2007 it was recognized as “Fiji’s Leading Boutique Resort” and the resort’s Villa was “Fiji’s Leading Suite.”

“We thank our colleagues in the travel industry for their continued recognition of our commitment to sustainable and socially responsible travel,” said General Manager Greg Taylor. “We believe providing an unforgettable and authentic Fiji experience for guests includes supporting environmentally friendly practices and community interaction.”

Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort is an all-inclusive luxury resort overlooking Savusavu Bay. Surrounded by a pristine marine and island environment, this intimate, internationally acclaimed resort combines culture, environment, diving and water activities, wellbeing, relaxation and exceptional cuisine. Couples, families and water sports enthusiasts appreciate the resort’s varied offerings as well as its underlying social and environmental responsibility. Jean-Michel Cousteau, an impassioned diplomat for the environment, is also the founder of the nonprofit organization Ocean Futures Society, which explores the global ocean and educates people throughout the world to act responsibly for its protection.

The resort’s 25 one- and two-bedroom thatched-roof bures are scattered among the palm trees of this former 17-acre coconut plantation. Designed using environmentally friendly materials, each bure features a high temple ceiling, native timber floors and a private deck. The decorations exude tropical elegance.

The resort encourages guests to learn about and value the local Fijian traditions and island ecosystems by offering an exceptional range of complimentary resort activities. Cultural hosts introduce guests to the Fijian way of life through village trips and kava ceremonies. It is also the only resort in Fiji with a full-time on-site marine biologist—a native Fijian who leads guests on snorkeling trips, reef walks, and mangrove reforestation tours, and gives multimedia presentations on the local marine life, among other activities.

Water sports options for guests include diving with one of the world’s top dive operations, established by Jean-Michel Cousteau and dedicated to preserving the delicate reefs and their inhabitants. The resort also offers snorkeling, glass-bottom boat trips, informative tide pool walks and a giant clam restoration project.

For a touch of nurture and wellbeing, guests can indulge in a Fijian spa treatment in a beachfront spa bure. The ocean breeze and sound of the lapping waves contribute to total relaxation.

The rich and diverse cuisine of Fiji has evolved through the combined influences of geography, the indigenous Fijian and Indian population, and the bounty of the islands. Menus feature fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices, grown in the resort’s extensive organic garden, as well as the freshest local seafood and fish.

For information, visit www.fijiresort.com or call 800-246-3454

About Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort

Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, recognized as one of the top resorts in Fiji, has received several major honors: it was featured in the book “1,000 Places to See Before You Die,” awarded a 2007 “Global Sustainable Tourism Award” by ISLANDS Magazine, ranked first on TripAdvisor’s 2007 “Top 10 Environmentally-Friendly Destinations” list worldwide, and listed as first in Fiji on the Condé Nast Traveler 2006 Gold List.

Groupon Getaways™ with Expedia offers significant deals to consumers, gives travel suppliers efficient new customer acquisition channel

RANCHO PALOS VERDES, Calif., June 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — D9 Conference — Groupon, the global pioneer in daily deals, and Expedia®, the world’s largest online travel company, have joined forces to create Groupon Getaways™ with Expedia, an unprecedented offering that will connect consumers with high quality travel offers and give travel suppliers brand exposure among millions of shoppers. Groupon Getaways with Expedia will offer consumers deeply discounted, highly compelling travel deals from among the more than 135,000 hotels worldwide that work with Expedia. Starting in the US and Canada, with plans to expand to other countries, Expedia and Groupon plan to also include package deals, airline tickets, car rentals, cruises and destination activities.

The deals will follow the proven Groupon model, in which customers have a limited time to buy a discount voucher good for future travel. Discounts will be significant – typically around 50 percent off retail rates found at other online travel sites. Once a customer purchases a voucher, they can redeem it at a later date of their choice within the redemption period. There is no pressure to plan immediately; the dates are flexible. Consumers can sneak away for a weekend, charm a loved one with an anniversary surprise or pragmatically save on the annual family getaway.

Groupon Getaways with Expedia represents a new and powerful marketing channel for hotels to reach more than 50 million combined Groupon and Expedia members in the US and Canada, many of whom are highly engaged in social media and often share great Groupon deals with their networks. Participating hotels and other travel suppliers will benefit from unmatched exposure, incremental customers and revenue at their property, and cash up front after the voucher sale closes, all at no cost to participate.

“Everybody wins with our new partnership with Groupon: Travelers get amazing deals for spontaneous travel to dream destinations; travel suppliers get the ability to reach an enormous audience at no upfront cost to participate; Groupon gets to extend its business into new markets; and we advance our new ‘Expedia Everywhere’ strategy with a powerful new high growth channel to deliver daily deals,” said Scott Durchslag, President, Expedia Worldwide.

“Groupon Getaways with Expedia is a fitting complement to our local deals, helping people get out of the house and explore the world,” said Andrew Mason, Chief Executive Officer, Groupon. “We’re excited to tap into Expedia’s vast network of world-class travel providers, delivering unmatched exposure to them while offering a wonderful service to millions of our subscribers.”

Travelers can sign up to begin receiving emails from the channel immediately at www.expedia.com® and www.groupon.com/getaways. Groupon Getaways with Expedia is expected to launch in late June.

About Expedia.com

Expedia.com is the world’s leading online travel site, helping millions of travelers per month easily plan and book travel. Expedia.com (http://www.expedia.com/, 1-800-EXPEDIA) aims to provide the latest technology and the widest selection of vacation packages, flights, hotels, rental cars, cruises and in-destination activities, attractions, and services. With the Expedia Best Price Guarantee, Expedia.com customers can get the best rates available online for all types of travel.

Expedia and Expedia.com are trademarks or registered trademarks of Expedia, Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other logos or product and company names mentioned herein may be the property of their respective owners. © 2011 Expedia, Inc. All rights reserved. CST: 2029030-50

About Groupon

Groupon, launched in November 2008 in Chicago, features a daily deal on the best stuff to do, eat, see and buy in more than 500 markets around the world. Groupon uses collective buying power to offer unbeatable prices and provide a win-win for businesses and consumers, delivering more than 900 daily deals globally. For more information, visit http://www.groupon.com.

SOURCE Expedia, Inc.

(AP) – 1 hour ago

ST. LOUIS — Several people at Lambert Airport in St. Louis were injured Friday after an apparent tornado touched down, spewing debris over the airfield, bursting glass in the concourse and damaging cars atop a parking garage.

The tornado was part of a series of strong storms that struck central and eastern Missouri. Unconfirmed tornadoes were reported in several counties in the St. Louis area.

Lambert spokesman Jeff Lea said he did not immediately have information about how many people were hurt, or how badly. He said the injuries were believed to be from glass that shattered as the storm hit the airport. An Air National Guard facility at the airport was reportedly damaged.

Lea said several cars parked at the airport were damaged. He didn’t yet know if any planes were affected, or if any flights were delayed or canceled.

Damage, possibly from a tornado, was also reported at several towns near the airport — Maryland Heights, Bridgeton, St. Ann, Ferguson and Florissant. Interstate 270 in that area was closed. Trees and power lines were down. A tractor-trailer was sitting on its end.

Unconfirmed tornadoes were reported near New Melle and Dardenne Prairie in St. Charles County. St. Charles County Sheriff’s Lt. Craig McGuire said there were early reports of at least 20 homes damaged in the county.

“It was pretty wicked,” he said.

In downtown St. Louis, Busch Stadium officials hurriedly moved Cardinals fans to a safe area as tornado sirens blared. The game with the Cincinnati Reds was delayed for hours.

The utility company Ameren Missouri reported more than 39,000 power outages.

Source: AP