Greg Schulze, the outgoing chief commercial officer of Expedia Group, is ending a 21-year tenure at the company at the end of May. The departure coincides with the Travel and Tourism Partnership’s Explore event in Las Vegas, marking the end of a career that spanned the internet’s rise and its current upheaval. WiT Singapore has set the theme for its upcoming September 30–October 2 conference as “21: A New Beginning,” and when Schulze heard it, he noted the coincidence with his 21 years at Expedia.
Building a Trillion Dollars in Gross Bookings
Schulze joined Expedia as the industry was still finding its footing with online transactions. Over his time there, the company booked more than a trillion dollars in gross bookings. He described the number as significant, noting that he had to repeat it for the weight of the figure to sink in. Schulze entered the company through a role in data analytics, using rigour and optimisation to support commercial negotiations before discovering a talent for reading a room. Notably, he joined Expedia in 2005, a time when many people were still hesitant to trust the internet with their credit card information, highlighting the immense growth and development the industry has undergone since then.
Travel has faced numerous shocks over the past two decades, including the 2008 financial crisis and the global pandemic. Schulze views the current moment as another major inflection point. He argues that artificial intelligence will reshape how people search and plan travel, moving the industry from lists and clicks toward agent-led bookings. He also points to the blurring lines between business and consumer sectors and the growth of sports tourism, which now accounts for 10% of all travel spend. Despite these shifts, he maintains that the core of travel—people seeking connection—remains unchanged.
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Schulze insists that his identity was never defined by his tenure at a single company. He frames his departure not as an ending but as a return to a state of readiness. He remains active in the industry, staying connected to an Asia he clearly loves and believes in. When asked what advice he would give his 21-year-old self, he reflected on his journey, emphasizing the importance of travel and personal integrity in both professional and personal life. Travel’s role in the global economy has expanded since Schulze first entered the field, yet the fundamental human desire to move and connect remains the engine of the business.
The End of a Career and the Start of a New Chapter
Schulze described his time in Singapore as the highlight of his career. The COVID-19 pandemic arrived as a sudden pause in his professional life. The combination of these events created a unique transition for the executive.
Recognition of his contributions came from the WiT Singapore event. The organisation named him one of its WiT Warriors last year. Schulze carries the lessons of his past into his future plans, intending to apply his analytical depth and human instinct to new challenges. His experience and achievements were acknowledged when he attended his 20th Explore event in Las Vegas, marking a significant milestone in his career.