US: Expedia Group has announced the launch of Expedia Group Academy, an education programme aimed at hospitality professionals who have been furloughed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The academy will seek to help professionals grow their industry knowledge, enhance their leadership skills and broaden their networks by providing an extensive list of modules. The end goal will be to open up further career opportunities for participants as the hospitality industry begins its recovery.
Headed up by a number of senior Expedia Group initiatives and industry experts, Expedia Group Academy will offer modules in different formats, such as webinars, online training programmes, activity guides and downloadable resources.
Expedia Group Academy’s learning journey, which has begun this month and will last until October, will focus on four key stages:
- Professional development: The learning journey starts with three tracks to develop interpersonal skills, including elevating personal brand, managing online reputation and interview preparation.
- Industry overview: In order to build on interpersonal skills, industry experts will join Expedia Group Academy to share insights into the various sectors of the travel industry ranging from lodging, air and cruise, providing participants with an understanding of each sector.
- Enhancing business skills: Participants will develop skills in high-demand areas such as data and analytics, financial planning, sales training and marketing. All material will be presented with a travel industry lens.
- Leadership foundations: The final module will focus on transformational and purpose-led leadership with training in effective coaching, inclusive leadership and managing stakeholders.
Expedia Group chief inclusion officer Melissa Maher told Phocuswire: “Expedia Group Academy is part of our holistic approach to help the entire travel industry, including our displaced workers, stay productive and on a path towards growth and success during this disruption.”
Last month, Expedia Group confirmed it would retire its HomeAway brand in the United States in July to refocus on simplifying its vacation rental portfolio. In doing so, the company wants to divert US users away from its HomeAway website and grow awareness for its Vrbo brand
