Expedia announced it is tightening security measures for all new and existing lodging and air bookings for President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration following the Jan. 6 Capitol riots.
All new measures will be executed through Jan. 24 around Washington, D.C. and all U.S. state capitals, the company announced Monday. The elevated and emergency security procedures include screening and cross-referencing multiple times a day for lodging made through Expedia and Vrbo, its home-rental platform.
People identified as a threat to homeland security, including individuals arrested in connection with the Capitol siege, will not be able to book with Expedia.
Other booking giants, including Airbnb and subsidiary HotelTonight, have said they are canceling all booked reservations in the Washington, D.C., metro area during inauguration week.
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Previously, Vrbo said it would leave decisions about canceling bookings up to its hosts.
“These recent events underscore the importance of increasing collaboration between the travel industry and government entities,” Expedia said its statement Monday. “Expedia Group has already begun conversations with industry partners and organizations on how we can promote greater engagement, alignment and information sharing between the travel industry and government authorities to ensure a safe travel environment in any future security emergency.”
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