VARSITY VACATIONS REVEALED AS LATEST TRAVEL TREND

London, 15 October 2009 - As anxious parents pack up the car and move their kids off to university, searches are up for the varsity vacation - parents turning the university drop off into a mini-break - according to the monthly Travel Hotspots Barometer from Expedia.co.uk

The latest Barometer, which measures destinations with the highest increases in searches on the site during September, was a record month for British university destinations, with varsity vacation hotspots laying claim to six of the top ten spots. Northern academic towns saw an unprecedented surge in interest with Sheffield (+148%), York (+121%) and Leeds (+106%) all entering the top ten for the first time.

Oxford pipped its scholarly rival, Cambridge (+104%), to the post with a 184% increase in searches. Steeped in academic history and surrounded by spectacular countryside, this is the second time that Oxford has entered the Barometer top ten, making it the ultimate spot for a varsity vacation.

EXPEDIA.CO.UK TRAVEL HOTSPOTS BAROMETER

"Holidaymakers are getting more excited about what the UK has to offer and the country's vibrant university towns offer the perfect setting for a mini break. However, while domestic breaks are booming, holidaymakers are still jetting off for the last of the summer sun in affordable non-eurozone locations," says Jonathan Cudworth, director of product management, Expedia.co.uk.

FAR FLUNG SUN

It's no surprise that holidaymakers searching for some last-ditch sun before the winter chill are looking to ever-popular Sharm el Sheikh (+383%) for their Vitamin D fix. The spectacular beaches, combined with the variety of water sports, shopping and entertainment on offer, make Sharm the perfect escape from the drizzly British weather.

As the Middle East rises in popularity, Abu Dhabi has entered the Barometer top ten for the first time. The largest of the seven emirates, Abu Dhabi rivals popular Dubai's weather, architecture and shopping and has seen a 97% increase in searches.

GETTING MORE OUT OF EUROPE

Figures from September show that, when it comes to booking a European break, Brits are looking to destinations which offer the ultimate tourist experience, to make sure each centime is well spent. Bruges makes it into the top ten for the first time - with an 89% surge in interest. With canals to rival those of Venice, a host of museums and an exquisite lace industry, it is not hard to see why this is such a popular city break destination.

With its host of delicious restaurants and food markets on offer, Bologna - one of the most beautiful cities in Italy - saw an 87% increase in searches, making it the perfect foodie getaway.

- ENDS -

^* Based on data from Expedia.co.uk taken 1 to 30 September 2009

For further press information, please contact the Expedia press office team:

Telephone: 0870 990 5427

Email: expediapressoffice@golinharris.com

EDITORS NOTES:

About Expedia, Inc.

Expedia, Inc. is the world's leading online travel company, empowering business and leisure travelers with the tools and information they need to easily research, plan, book and experience travel. Expedia, Inc. also provides in-destination concierge service and activity desks for travelers. The Expedia, Inc. portfolio of brands includes: Expedia.com®, hotels.com®, Hotwire®, Egencia^TM (formerly Expedia Corporate Travel), TripAdvisor®, Expedia Local Expert^TM, Classic Vacations® and eLong^TM. Expedia, Inc.'s companies operate more than 70 global points of sale in more than 40 countries, with sites in North America, South America, Latin America, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. Expedia, Inc. is a component of the S&P 500 index. Expedia, Inc. partners with loyalty programme Nectar in the UK enabling its customers to collect 200 Nectar points on stand alone flight, hotel or car hire bookings and 1000 points on package purchases through www.expedia.co.uk. For more information, visit http://www.expediainc.com/ (NASDAQ: EXPE).