Lastminute, and Site59, among others) purchasing weaker and relatively inexpensive online travel agencies in order to build stronger multi-channel travel sites. Orbitz and Expedia have also been involved in the industry consolidation . Orbitz was initially an industry consortium, then went public,then was purchased by Cendant (along with other travel firms such as CheapTickets and Trip.com), then sold by Cendant to Blackstone Group, and finally went public again in 2007. Expedia, originally begun by Microsoft, was purchased by Barry Diller's conglomerate IAC/ InterActiveCorp, but has now been spun off as an independent company once again, picking up IAC's Hotels.com, Hotwire, TtipAdvisor, and TtavelNow in the process. In 2013, Expedia entered into a long-term strategic marketing agreement with Ttavelocity in which it agreed to provide the technology platform for Ttavelocity's U .S. and Canadian Web sites, as well as provide Ttavelocity with access to Expedia's supply and customer service platforms, further consolidating the online travel industry .