Robin Lawther Discusses New Definitive Aspects of Expedia TAAP at Arabian Travel Market Dubai 2025

At Arabian Travel Market 2025, amidst a flurry of innovation, strategy, and high-stakes networking, one conversation stood out for its clarity and forward momentum. Travel And Tour World had the pleasure of sitting down with Robin Lawther, Vice President of Expedia TAAP (Travel Agent Affiliate Program)—a leader who brings more than insight to the table; she brings heart, strategy, and a genuine belief in the power of partnership.

With over 3,000,000 properties listed and a global reach that continues to evolve, Expedia is more than just a booking platform—it’s a catalyst shaping the modern travel experience. But behind this tech-driven giant is a dynamic ecosystem powered by people, especially travel advisors, and Robin Lawther is one of the most passionate voices championing their success.

In this exclusive interview, Robin shares how Expedia TAAP is not only streamlining access to inventory for travel agents around the world, but also empowering them with tools, commissions, and confidence in a market that’s more competitive—and more exciting—than ever.

From technological advancements to post-pandemic booking behaviours, from sustainable travel trends to personalised service, Robin offers a 360-degree look at what’s next for travel agents and the industry at large.

At a time when connection and trust mean everything, this isn’t just a conversation about growth—it’s a vision for redefining how the travel industry works together, and how Expedia TAAP is helping lead that transformation, one booking at a time.

Travel And Tour World had the opportunity to interview Robin Lawther, who is the Vice President of Expedia TAAP (Travel Agent Affiliate Program), and with over 3,000,000 properties on their site, Expedia is a huge force in the travel industry at the ATM 2025.

Hello Robin, we’re delighted to have you with us today for this interview about Expedia TAAP. To start, could you please tell us a bit about your brand and what Expedia TAAP represents?

Sure! My name is Robin Lawther, and I represent Expedia TAAP, which is our Travel Agent Affiliate Program. We’re very excited to be launching in the UAE this week. The region is growing rapidly and is becoming incredibly important across the tourism industry. Over the past few years, we’ve seen huge demand from travel agents wanting to work with Expedia. It’s fantastic to be here in 2025 to officially launch and cater to that demand in the UAE.

The ATM Dubai is one of the most significant travel events not only in Dubai but globally. How do you see Expedia’s participation here, and what are your thoughts on the results so far?

RL: It’s been amazing. It’s been a few years since I last attended, and the size and scale of the event are truly impressive. The number of people here reflects the tremendous growth of the UAE and the broader GCC region. We’re here to celebrate the launch of our business, but we see today as just the starting point. Interest in our platform has been tremendous, and as our new team on the ground begins visiting and working with agents day-to-day, we expect demand to continue to grow. We’re planning more events with partners to meet this demand as effectively as possible.

That sounds exciting! Could you tell us more about this new project and what Expedia TAAP offers?

Absolutely. This launch marks our official presence in the UAE with Expedia TAAP — a custom-built platform specifically designed for travel agents. We’ve operated this platform successfully worldwide, but the UAE was a key gap in our network. Expedia TAAP offers three main advantages:

1. Supply: Agents get access to over a million properties globally via Expedia TAAP. We offer various discounts and rate types, and most importantly, a guaranteed commission on every booking made.
2. Platform: It’s extremely user-friendly and intuitive. While we offer training for agents who need it, most find the platform easy to use.
3. Support: Travel can be unpredictable, so we provide 24/7 support, 365 days a year. Our local UAE team is always available to assist agents with any needs.

Impressive! Talking about numbers, which markets do you see as the most important for Expedia TAAP, especially in this region?

Globally, Expedia is a large, international company with presence from the US to Australia and everywhere in between. Here in the Middle East, we’re launching first in the UAE, which has shown huge interest. However, we’ve had inquiries from agents in Egypt, Qatar, Jordan, and Kuwait, all eager to access the platform. So, UAE is just the start; we plan to expand further across the region.

Sustainability and technology are hot topics now. How does Expedia implement these within your brand?

Sustainability is a priority for us both from the traveler and agent perspective. We aim to empower informed choices. For example, on our website, when customers book flights, they can see the carbon emissions associated with each option. We also encourage hotels to participate in the WTTC’s Hotel Sustainability Standards and display that information on our sites. The goal is to gather and present all available sustainability data clearly so agents and travelers can make educated decisions. Expedia Group has a climate action plan with specific goals, and we’re committed to supporting agents and customers with the latest information on sustainability.

How do you see business travel evolving today and what role does Expedia TAAP play in enhancing this?

Travel remains complex — with many components like flights, hotels, ground transport, and more needing to be stitched together. Our aim is to make the entire journey as seamless and frictionless as possible, whether it’s business or leisure travel. No one has completely solved this yet, but we’re continually working towards better integration to improve traveler experiences.

Before we end, can you share any exclusive insights or upcoming projects for our readers at Travel and Tour World?

Well, we have many ongoing projects, especially around payments, which are critical for agents transacting on our platform. While I can’t share specific details right now, we have some exciting launches in the pipeline. When we return to ATM next year, I’m sure you’ll have plenty of questions about these new developments.

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