Peter Kern departs Expedia Group, ending 18-year tenure

Peter Kern, former CEO of Expedia Group, has officially stepped down from his role as vice chairman and left the company’s board. Kern’s departure marks the conclusion of his 18-year tenure with the company, during which he played a pivotal role in navigating Expedia through significant challenges, including the pandemic. His exit follows a successful management transition earlier this year when Ariane Gorin, formerly the president of Expedia for Business, took over as CEO.

Kern, who became CEO in 2020 after the abrupt resignation of Mark Okerstrom, helped steer the company through the economic downturn caused by the pandemic. During his leadership, the company raised $3.2 billion in capital and restructured its operations, including significant layoffs in its product and technology divisions. His decision to step down as CEO was announced in February, with his official departure in May. Kern remained as vice chairman to oversee a smooth transition alongside Gorin until his final exit on September 10, 2024.

Expedia’s recent regulatory filing stated that Kern’s role was concluded due to the “speed and success” of the company’s management transition. The board also reduced its number of directors from thirteen to twelve following his departure. The company has not disclosed further details about his replacement.

Kern’s departure comes as Expedia continues to report solid growth, including a 6% year-over-year increase in gross bookings and strong B2B revenue. Gorin, now leading the company, aims to drive further growth through initiatives such as the One Key loyalty program and advancements in AI-driven trip personalization.

The article Peter Kern departs Expedia Group, ending 18-year tenure first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.