The next time you head for a concierge desk, you may be talking to an Expedia Local Expert, whether you know it or not.

At the Aqua Waikiki Wave, for instance, Expedia staff take care of concierge services, but blend in seamlessly with the hotel without any prominent signs for the company or logo name tags.

At other venues, however, like the Hyatt Regency in Waikiki, Expedia has a separate desk next to the hotel's own concierge desk with a more prominent sign.

It all depends what the hotel partner wants, according to Will Daugherty, Expedia's vice president of destination services. Expedia is now flexible on those terms.

“;This is not about Expedia billboards and flashing lights,”; said Daugherty. “;But we do give out our business card, our name is on the voucher and the materials will say Expedia Local Expert. It's really up to the hotel.”;

Expedia first got into the concierge business in Hawaii after acquiring Maui-based Hawaii Activity World in 2004, which included its kiosks.

It also has desks in Orlando, Fla.; Mexico, Las Vegas and San Francisco.

What were formerly known as activity desks with an Expedia!fun logo, however, are now being replaced with the new Expedia Local Expert brand.

Expedia has nearly 50 desks in Hawaii, the majority of them on Maui and Oahu. Last September, Expedia added a desk at the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa at Ko Olina.

Expedia also has offices in Lahaina and Waikiki, and 191 Expedia Local Expert staff.

Expedia's desks can be found in many hotels - from the Ala Moana Hotel to the Hyatt Regency on Maui and in Waikiki. The desks also can be found in Marriott, Hilton, ResortQuest, Outrigger, Wyndham, Aqua and Castle properties.

Elizabeth Churchill, Aqua's vice president of sales and marketing, said Expedia is one of its preferred partners. Expedia has a concierge desk at several Aquas, including the Waikiki Wave, Palms & Spa, Aloha Surf & Spa and Coconut Waikiki Hotel.

“;It provides our guests with a service we may not be able to fulfill on our own,”; she said.

In these tough times, Churchill said: “;Any value that you can bring to the guest in the form of services helps with the value of the property, and helps them make a decision when it comes time to book a hotel.”;

Although guests can book activities online, Churchill said Aqua has found many prefer to do it once they've arrived and can see a brochure.

Expedia currently has about 500 activity partners, ranging from the Polynesian Cultural Center to Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, Atlantis Adventures, and Germaine's Luau.

Daugherty said some tour operators opt not to join Expedia because they do just fine. By the same token, Expedia does not accept activity partners if they don't seem like a good fit.

Regardless of whether a customer booked a trip to Hawaii through Expedia or not, Expedia Local Experts are happy to help, said Daugherty.

Dorian Takahashi, a concierge at the Aqua Wave Waikiki, said the most popular requests besides restaurant recommendations are arranging for flowers and champagne.

To date this year, Expedia has booked more than half a million activities and destination services for guests in Hawaii - a quarter of them on Oahu.

Hawaii's top three activities are luaus, snorkels and ground tours. On Oahu, the top three activities are ground tours, luaus and shows.

“;We believe people need to get in the water, see a luau or get in the air to experience Hawaii,”; said Daugherty. “;We want people to get the true aloha experience.”;

Expedia declined to disclose its commission costs for partners, but travel wholesalers and online travel agents are typically known to take up to 30 percent in commission.

Though fewer airlines come to Hawaii these days, Daugherty said it hasn't changed Expedia's focus on the state.

“;Expedia is very committed to Hawaii,”; said Daugherty. “;Hawaii's a great destination and it's always going to be a great destination. It's a beautiful, unique place and a jewel that should be preserved and nurtured.”;

As a founding member of the World Heritage Alliance for Sustainable Tourism, Expedia's growing focus is on sustainable tourism. Hawaii's Volcanoes National Park is one of 851 World Heritage sites around the world.