Expedia Group Announces New API Partnership With Wheel the World to Enhance Accessible Booking Experience for Travelers With Disabilities

Wheelchair-bound travelers can now seamlessly book Expedia Group's global supply of hotels complemented by Wheel the World's detailed accessibility data

SEATTLE, March 30, 2023 - Today, Expedia Group announced a new API partnership with Wheel the World, a travel booking platform for accessible travelers in wheelchairs, effectively enhancing a seamless, end-to-end travel experience for travelers with disabilities.

Through this partnership, Expedia Group will serve as the exclusive partner to power Wheel the World's lodging supply. Through Expedia Group's Rapid API technology, Wheel the World customers will have access to Expedia Group's extensive directly sourced hotel inventory with the ability to filter properties by their accessibility needs and preferences. Wheel the World will further complement Expedia Group's content with an added layer of accessibility data, including but not limited to bed height, room width and specific shower characteristics.

"We are proud to partner with Wheel the World on a solution that addresses the need for seamless, end-to-end travel experiences for travelers with disabilities," said Mindy Rehse, Vice President of Commercial Partnerships at Expedia Group. "This partnership will empower travelers looking for detailed and robust accessibility information and is another step in Expedia Group's commitment to creating a more accessible and inclusive future for all travelers."

Wheel the World provides travel to destinations globally in North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. They first launched Expedia Group's Rapid API in the U.S. and are gradually expanding to other markets globally.

"At Wheel the World, our purpose is to make travel accessible for people with disabilities, and we know that we need to collaborate with other companies to make it happen," says CEO and co-founder, Alvaro Silberstein. "Together we can complement our detailed accessibility data and customer experience to guarantee the accessible room with the extensive supply, content, and connectivity of Expedia Group."

Inclusivity is a priority for travelers, according to the 2022 Inclusive Travel Insights Report by Expedia Group Media Solutions, which found that 92% of consumers believe it's important for travel providers to meet the accessibility needs of all travelers. Travelers also indicated they would spend more on travel that's inclusive, with 70% of consumers saying they would choose a travel option that was more inclusive to all types of travelers, even if it's more expensive.

About Expedia Group

Expedia Group, Inc. companies power travel for everyone, everywhere through our global platform. Driven by the core belief that travel is a force for good, we help people experience the world in new ways and build lasting connections. We provide industry-leading technology solutions to fuel partner growth and success, while facilitating memorable experiences for travelers. Our organization is made up of three pillars: Expedia Product & Technology, focused on the group's product and technical strategy and offerings; Expedia Brands, housing all our consumer brands; and Expedia for Business, consisting of business-to-business solutions and relationships throughout the travel ecosystem. The Expedia Group family of brands includes: Expedia®, Hotels.com®, Expedia® Partner Solutions, Vrbo®, trivago®, Orbitz®, Travelocity®, Hotwire®, Wotif®, ebookers®, CheapTickets®, Expedia Group™ Media Solutions, CarRentals.com™, and Expedia Cruises™.

For more information, visit www.expediapartnersolutions.com. Follow us on Twitter @expediagroup and check out our LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/company/expedia/.

About Wheel the World

Wheel the World is an online travel booking company empowering people with disabilities, seniors and their families to explore without limits. By digitizing the accessibility information in detail, and an AI recommendation system, Wheel the World allows its users to book hotels and tours that match their accessibility needs. Offering places to stay, things to do, and multi-day trips in more than 200 destinations worldwide, the company provides detailed accessibility information to empower individuals to live full lives and experience the joy of travel. The platform has been recognized as a 2022 Skift IDEA Award Winner, one of FastCompany's 10 Most Innovative Travel Companies for 2022, a finalist in the 2022 SXSW Innovation Awards and a 2021 Lonely Planet Best in Travel award winner for Diversity and Inclusion. For more information on Wheel the World and their accessible travel offerings, visit WheelTheWorld.com.

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