Industry stalwart Stuart Udy has announced his retirement from the travel industry, stepping down as Expedia TAAP ANZ Director after more than 15 years after launching the Expedia Travel Agent Affiliate Program (TAAP) in Australia on 1 March 2010.
Expedia Group’s Chris Ellis will replace Udy as the new Expedia TAAP ANZ Director, effective from March 2025.
Under Udy’s leadership as Director Retail Distribution, the Expedia TAAP retail booking platform for advisors has grown exponentially, surpassing all expectations and becoming an integral tool for travel professionals across the region.
Udy marks the end of a remarkable chapter in his career, reflecting on the journey with deep pride and gratitude.
“It has been such an honour and wonderful journey leading the development of Expedia TAAP in our region. Coaching its evolution and impact on the travel industry has been a true highlight of my career,” he said.
“We were always excited about the potential for Expedia TAAP from the very first week, but the growth has been absolutely consistent and amazing.
“To put it into perspective, the turnover in its first year now equates to less than our average turnover for a few days in 2025. That speaks volumes about the incredible success and the industry’s response to what we have built.”
As Udy transitions to the next phase of his life, Expedia TAAP and the broader travel industry acknowledge and celebrate his significant contributions to shaping the future of travel technology in the ANZ market.
Expedia TAAP’s next chapter
Chris Ellis steps up at the new Expedia TAAP ANZ Director, bringing more than 21 years’ travel industry experience to the role, including five years as Strategic Account Director for Expedia’s Private Label Solutions.
Before joining Expedia, Ellis gained significant experience as a travel agent and has worked with travel tech solutions providers Tramada and Serko, giving him a deep knowledge of the sector.
Ellis said: “I am energised by the opportunity to work with our ANZ travel agency partners to add value to their businesses while strengthening and growing our partnerships.”
“The travel industry is evolving rapidly and I look forward to collaborating with our partners to drive success in this dynamic landscape.”
Find out more at expediataap.com.au
