Expedia Group has fully acquired CanadaStays, a Canadian vacation rental marketplace the travel brand has had a strategic partnership with since 2015.
Full terms of the deal have not been disclosed, but Expedia Group says it has fully acquired all shares of CanadaStays stock it did not already own.
CanadaStays will become part of the Vrbo vacation rentals division in a move designed to strengthen Expedia Group’s alternative accommodation presence in Canada.
Once integrated into the Vrbo marketplace, CanadaStays owners and property managers will have access to Vrbo’s data and tools for managing property listings to help them reach more travelers and grow their rental income.
Travelers using CanadaStays will gain additional features such as collaborative trip-planning tools, virtual tours, mobile apps and chatbots.
Expedia Group says some CanadaStays listings have already been available on its core online travel agencies, and the rest will become eligible following the Vrbo integration.
“CanadaStays has thousands of the best vacation rental homes in Canada with two or more bedrooms that are perfect for families and groups of friends,” says Bill Furlong, vice president of Vrbo’s North American business.
“Together, Vrbo and CanadaStays will offer the same great selection and customer service, with an even stronger commitment to helping family and friends travel better together in Canada and abroad.”
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Says Mark Bordo, CanadaStays founder and CEO: “The Canadian vacation rental industry is growing, with demand for destinations from British Columbia across Canada to Prince Edward Island.
“With Expedia Group’s reach and resources, Vrbo’s leading marketplace and technology, and our local expertise we will grow our business in Canada even faster. Joining the Expedia Group and Vrbo family is a natural fit for us and one that we are very happy to be a part of.”
Founded in 2008, CanadaStays says it has Canada’s largest selection of vacation rentals.
In July, Expedia Group reported that Vrbo saw an uptick in revenue after two quarters of declines.
Expedia Group president and CEO Mark Okerstrom says the company has made a concerted effort to get the brand “back on track” following the consolidation of its alternative accommodations under Vrbo earlier this year.
Expedia Group at The Phocuswright Conference
Hear from CEO Mark Okerstrom at the event this November.