Expedia just reported quarterly numbers and the contrast between domestic growth and international growth is strartling: 1% US growth vs. 25% international growth for Q4.
Granted, international travel is booming these days. But had Expedia not invested in Web globalization — which it began before 2005 — it would not be in the position to capture this growth. Expedia.com offered five localized Web sites in 2005 and seven last year.
According to the WSJ (sub required), “Expedia said its international results were driven by strong performances in Canada, the U.K., Germany, France, Italy, China, Australia and Japan.”