Expedia "creating a ruckus" as it deserts small city in California
Skift Take
Expedia can decide to pick its spots when it decides to play hardball over the hotel tax issue, but will it need to change its strategy as more cities follow in Arcadia's footsteps?
Source: Skift
Author: Dennis Schaal
The people had their say, and Expedia and its sibling brands didn't like it and left town.
Arcadia, Calif., population 60,000 and about 20 miles east of Los Angeles, is home to Santa Anita Park and will host the Breeders' Cup World Championships in November.
But, if you are an Expedia customer, you'll have to book a room outside the city for the races because the online travel agency has pulled up stakes.
It turns out, according to the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, that after voters approved a city council measure forcing online intermediaries to pay the municipality's 10% hotel occupancy tax, Expedia and sister companies Hotels.com, Hotwire, and Egencia opted to cease offering hotel rooms in Arcadia.
