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TripAdvisor(TRIP) - 2025 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript
TRIPTripAdvisor(TRIP)2025-05-07 13:32

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consolidated revenue for Q1 2025 was $398 million, representing 1% growth or approximately 3% growth in constant currency, driven by marketplace businesses [8][23] - Consolidated adjusted EBITDA was $44 million, or 11% of revenue, exceeding expectations due to revenue outperformance and lower fixed costs [9][23] - Gross booking value (GBV) grew 10% or 12% in constant currency to approximately $1.1 billion [25] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Viator's revenue grew 10% to $156 million, with bookings growth of 15% and an adjusted EBITDA loss of $18 million, reflecting an 800 basis point margin improvement [10][25] - Brand TripAdvisor's revenue was $219 million, a decline of 8%, with adjusted EBITDA at $65 million or 30% of revenue, driven by favorable pricing in Hotel Meta [12][26] - The Fork's revenue grew 12% or 16% in constant currency to $46 million, with an adjusted EBITDA loss of $3 million, reflecting normal seasonality [16][30] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - North America remained the largest source market for Viator, with healthy growth in bookings and stable booking windows year over year [24] - The US share of international travel from certain source markets, particularly Canada, has decreased, while domestic travel share has increased [19] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to be the most trusted source for travel and experiences, focusing on diversifying its portfolio and optimizing legacy offerings [6][7] - The strategy includes scaling marketplaces, particularly in experiences, and leveraging AI for personalized recommendations [8][17] - The completion of the merger with Liberty TripAdvisor Holdings has simplified the capital structure and is expected to enhance shareholder engagement and governance [6][43] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledges macroeconomic uncertainty but remains confident in the long-term growth potential of travel and experiences [18][22] - Travel sentiment remains positive, with consumers planning leisure travel and prioritizing experiences in their budgets [21][72] - The company expects consolidated revenue growth of 5% to 7% for the full year, maintaining its guidance despite the uncertain environment [37] Other Important Information - The company raised $350 million in an add-on to its existing Term Loan B and plans to restart its share repurchase program [32][34] - The company is leveraging AI across various functions, including customer service, content moderation, and marketing [17][90] Q&A Session Summary Question: Guidance and macro uncertainty - Management is comfortable with the current guidance framework but acknowledges macro uncertainty as a reason for not adjusting guidance upward [39][42] Question: Impact of Liberty buyout - The merger simplifies the capital structure and allows for a clearer focus on value drivers and shareholder engagement [43][46] Question: Viator margins and marketing - Management believes Viator can achieve OTA-like margins through product-led growth and improved marketing efficiency [49][50] Question: Cross-border exposure and marketing adjustments - Viator is predominantly a North American booker base, making it less susceptible to international trade pressures [54][55] Question: Google auction changes - Management is actively involved in optimizing ad placements and formats in response to Google's changes [59][60] Question: Average booking value decline - The decline in average booking value is primarily due to a higher mix of lower-priced third-party bookings [61][62] Question: Travel spending in a slower consumer environment - Management notes that consumers are defending travel spending, particularly on experiences, even in a slowing economy [70][72] Question: Pricing trends in Hotel Meta - Improvements in user experience have led to pricing uplifts in Hotel Meta, contributing to better monetization [73][76] Question: Viator marketing strategy - The marketing strategy focuses on utilizing paid channels effectively and enhancing user experience to drive repeat business [95][96] Question: Share count post-merger - Post-transaction, the expected diluted share count is approximately 118 million shares [98]