Now living in Istria, Croatia, often called “Terra Magica” (the Beautiful Land), Nina’s Expedia Group journey actually began in our Toronto, Canada, office, back in 2016. After some years away, Nina returned to EG in 2025 to take on a new adventure, being a part of the Market Management Lodging team, for the East Adriatic.

In this blog, we discover what Nina’s 5 years at EG in AMERS was like, and then the story behind Nina’s exciting decision to relocate her career back to EMEA.

Nina Hrelja | Area Manager, East Adriatic | Istria, Croatia

Tell us about your team and your role.

Our East Adriatic Market Management team builds and optimizes high‑quality lodging supply for Expedia Group’s B2B and B2C brands across the region. We look after Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, Montenegro, and Bulgaria, ensuring travelers can find the right stay and partners can grow with competitive inventory. The team I support is incredible; I have 6 direct reports, they are our key connection to hoteliers making sure EG is growing, while at the same time they are creating long lasting relationships in the market.

Tell us about your time at EG in North America.

I began in Market Management in Toronto as a Market Associate and fell in love with EG’s culture, the team, and the job itself. There, I learned from incredible and inspiring leaders, before moving to Vancouver to help open and grow that market for our B2B brand, a leap that sharpened my adaptability and ownership. Later I took over Calgary as a market and moved there shortly, followed by time in Seattle and Chicago in the USA. It was such a pleasure to be able to work in the Expedia Group HQ in Seattle, but I got lost too many times due to its size!

Working in a large North American office offers proximity to senior leadership and visibility across many teams you might not encounter while remote. In a smaller, remote market like Croatia, staying relevant means being creative, proactively telling our story, sharing impact frequently, and building strong cross‑regional connections to keep the Adriatic present in key conversations. 

What motivated you to rejoin Expedia Group?

In 2020, I returned home to Croatia, working in the travel start‑up scene. Traveling across EMEA and AMERS, and significantly expanding my travel network. Working in smaller companies taught me a powerful truth: if something needs doing, do it regardless of job title. That hands‑on ownership mindset aligns naturally with EG’s values, helping me move fast, focus on what matters, and do what’s right for the business. I’ve now boomeranged back to Expedia Group and joined the EMEA region and am excited to lead in the East Adriatic.

I stayed close with EMEA colleagues I’d known while I was in North America, and we’d sometimes discuss a potential return but timing matters, especially with two small kids. This year, the stars aligned: I came back from maternity leave just as EG sought a leader for the Adriatic team, making it the perfect boomerang moment.

What are you excited to work on in your current team and role now?

I’m thrilled to put Croatia on the map within Expedia Group, showcasing the region’s depth and diversity for travelers and creating new opportunities for partners. There’s so much we can offer to customers and to EG, and I’m energized to translate that potential into visible, measurable growth for the Adriatic region.  I also love building teams, developing people, shaping a positive, high‑trust culture, and celebrating wins together. Right now, our Croatia team is planning a large‑scale 2026 event for hoteliers across Croatia and neighboring countries, a testament to the market’s momentum and the partnership support they feel.

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