Vrbo is wholly owned by Expedia Group (NASDAQ: EXPE), acquired as part of Expedia’s $3.9 billion purchase of HomeAway in December 2015. Vrbo itself was one of HomeAway’s flagship brands, and Expedia eventually consolidated its vacation rental business fully under the Vrbo name.
The platform has grown into a major contributor to Expedia’s overall business, generating an estimated $3.8 billion in revenue in 2024 — roughly 28% of Expedia Group’s total. It now lists more than 2 million vacation rental properties across upwards of 190 countries. Like the rest of Expedia Group, Vrbo has no controlling individual owner; institutional investors hold roughly 94.77% of Expedia’s outstanding shares.
Quick Facts
| Platform | Vrbo |
|---|---|
| Owner | Expedia Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXPE) |
| Acquired Via | HomeAway acquisition, $3.9 billion, December 2015 |
| Revenue Contribution | ~$3.8B (~28% of Expedia Group total, 2024) |
| Listed Properties | 2 million+ across 190+ countries |
| Institutional Ownership (Expedia Group) | ~94.77% |
Ownership History
| Year | Development |
|---|---|
| 1995 | Vrbo (Vacation Rentals By Owner) founded as an independent vacation rental listing site |
| 2006 | HomeAway acquires Vrbo, folding it into a broader portfolio of rental brands |
| 2015 | Expedia Group acquires HomeAway, and with it Vrbo, for $3.9 billion |
| 2019-2020 | Expedia consolidates its various vacation rental brands under the unified Vrbo name |
| 2024-2026 | Vrbo generates roughly 28% of Expedia Group’s total revenue, cementing its role as a core part of the company’s business, not just an ancillary brand |
Key Ownership Highlights
- Vrbo’s growth into roughly 28% of Expedia Group’s total revenue shows how central the vacation rental business has become to a company historically known primarily for hotel and flight booking.
- The consolidation of multiple HomeAway-era rental brands under the single Vrbo name simplified Expedia’s vacation rental strategy into one unified consumer-facing platform.
- As with Expedia Group overall, there’s no individual controlling owner — ownership is spread across institutional shareholders, typical for a large, mature public travel technology company.
FAQ
Who owns Vrbo?
Expedia Group owns Vrbo, having acquired it as part of its $3.9 billion HomeAway purchase in 2015.
How much of Expedia’s revenue comes from Vrbo?
Roughly 28%, based on 2024 figures, making it one of Expedia Group’s most significant revenue contributors.
