Despegar’s Post

The travel industry is undergoing a massive transformation, driven by technology, collaboration, and innovation. At the 3rd ET Travel & Tourism Annual Conclave, Bhanu Chopra, our Managing Director and Founder, joined an insightful panel on the IPO boom in the travel and hospitality industry. Alongside leaders like Dhruv Shringi, Co-Founder & CEO, Yatra Online Ltd., Ankush Nijhawan, Co-Founder, TBO.COM and Rajesh Loomba, Chairman, ECO Mobility moderated by Ujjwal Priydarshi, Investment Specialist, Invest India the conversation covered key topics: - Building Scalable Operations: Creating scalable infrastructure and focusing on operational excellence are essential for staying competitive. - Customer-Centric Strategies: Leveraging technology and customer-focused approaches is vital in differentiating brands in a competitive market. - Organizational Culture: A sustainable business requires more than just advanced tech—it demands a strong, adaptable culture that drives resilience and long-term success. At RateGain, we continue to innovate, focusing on leveraging data-driven solutions and maintaining a forward-thinking approach that supports both our growth and our customers' success. The future is bright for the travel and hospitality industry, and we're excited to be part of this transformational journey. #TravelTech #Innovation #IPO #Leadership #OperationalExcellence #RateGain #TravelAndHospitality #ETTravelConclave

🌍 TBO Tek Names Didatravel's CFO Gerardo Del Rio as President of Its International Biz. TBO Tek, a global travel distribution platform, has appointed Gerardo Del Rio, the former CFO of Didatravel, as the President of its International Business. This strategic move is expected to bolster TBO Tek's global expansion and strengthen its leadership team. 🔄 Leadership Change: - New Role: Gerardo Del Rio will take on the role of President, International Business at TBO Tek. - Previous Experience: Del Rio brings a wealth of experience from his tenure as CFO at Didatravel, a leading travel distribution company. 🌐 Company Overview: - TBO Tek: A renowned travel distribution platform that connects travel agents with global suppliers, offering a wide range of travel products and services. - Global Presence: TBO Tek operates in multiple countries, providing seamless travel solutions to its partners and customers worldwide. 🚀 Expansion Plans: - International Focus: With Del Rio at the helm of its international business, TBO Tek aims to enhance its global footprint and drive growth in new and existing markets. - Strategic Goals: The company plans to leverage Del Rio's expertise to optimize its operations and explore new opportunities in the international travel industry. 📈 Market Potential: - Travel Industry Growth: The global travel industry is poised for significant growth as it recovers from the pandemic, presenting lucrative opportunities for travel distribution platforms like TBO Tek. - Competitive Edge: Strengthening its leadership team with experienced professionals positions TBO Tek to capitalize on emerging trends and maintain a competitive edge. 📅 Future Outlook: - Leadership Impact: Del Rio's appointment is expected to drive strategic initiatives and foster innovation within TBO Tek's international business operations. - Industry Influence: As TBO Tek expands its global reach, it aims to set new standards in the travel distribution industry and deliver enhanced value to its partners and customers. TBO Tek's decision to bring on Gerardo Del Rio as President of its International Business underscores its commitment to global growth and leadership excellence. This strategic hire is set to propel the company towards new heights in the international travel market. #TBOtek #TravelIndustry #LeadershipChange #GlobalExpansion #BusinessNews #StartupNews #MicroShots #NewsUpdates

🌍 Transforming Long-Distance Travel with Purpose 🚍 In today’s fast-paced world, embedding purpose into your business isn’t just a value add—it’s essential for success. I recently had the privilege of interviewing Kadir "Kai" Boysan, CEO of Flix North America, who’s revolutionizing long-distance bus travel across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. From leveraging cutting-edge technology to expanding connectivity in remote areas, Kai's vision and purpose-driven approach are paving the way for a more sustainable, affordable travel future. If you’re passionate about purposeful leadership and innovation, don’t miss this interview! Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gH6h9EJQ.  Have a story that needs to be told?  Share it with us —we’d love to feature you next! #PurposeDriven #SustainableTravel #Leadership #Innovation #Impact 

My Personal Opinion is Startups having a Free Cash Flow (FCF) of one billion USD are Unicorns. This isn't just a random target it's a clear indicator of a company's strength and its ability to sustain itself. Taking a cue from Harvard Business School Professor on Strategy Michael Porter, true success is rooted in a combination of strategic leadership and effective execution.Take IndiGo's example it demonstrates how a clear vision and solid execution can lead to remarkable success in competitive markets. For any founder, these components are crucial. They're not just part of the business plan they are the foundation that turns potential into reality. #BusinessStrategy

Congratulations to the Tollman family and all the employees of The Travel Corporation on this significant transition as Apollo Global Management, Inc. acquires TTC. This marks a new chapter in TTC's remarkable 100+ year history, and I'm excited to see the new opportunities that lie ahead for all involved. It's been a while since I read Stanley Tollman's "Recollections of a Lucky Man," but I'll be picking it up again to reflect on this momentous change. Large family-run travel businesses like TTC have always fascinated me, and working with them at Kaptio has deepened my appreciation for their legacy and impact. My initial thoughts and possible implications are: 1. Consolidation Trend: This move is part of a broader trend where industries, from tech to food to pharma, are dominated by a few major players. The travel industry, which has already seen significant consolidation with TTC itself being a key consolidator, is now advancing further along this path. Scott Galloway and Ed Elson speaks about this almost every week on their Markets Podcast, and it's interesting to see such a prolific player like Apollo get involved in our industry. 2. Positive Long-Term Impact: In the mid-to-long term, asset managers like Apollo often restructure and break up large assets. This can increase competition by allowing smaller, specialized entities to emerge, fostering innovation through fresh perspectives and new investments, and ultimately benefiting consumers with better choices and improved customer services through digitalization. 3. Future Prospects: How will this reshape the travel industry's landscape? Will Apollo’s involvement spur new strategic directions for TTC’s brands? Will this lead to enhanced consumer experiences and new travel innovations? How will this acquisition influence other players in the travel sector? Will they sell off brands and go lean-and-mean, aiming for an IPO? Or could we see strategic partnerships and further acquisitions to strengthen their market position? Congratulations again to everyone at TTC on this milestone. The future looks bright, and I'm eager to see the positive changes and innovations that will unfold in the multi-day industry. #travel #consolidation #innovation #Apollo #TTC #futureoftravel

Unlock Efficiency in the Skies: The Smart Executive’s Strategy 👨💼✈️ Strategic planning is key for savvy business leaders. Did you know leveraging empty leg flights can skyrocket your productivity while slashing costs? Imagine seamlessly integrating travel in your business, optimizing routes, and enjoying luxury without the heavy price tag. Early bookings and route optimization aren't just about moving from point A to B; they’re about maximizing every minute of your journey ⏱ Executives who master this unlock new potentials in efficiency and cost-effectiveness. And let’s talk about these numbers: - Up to 50% savings with shared charter flights - An average 70% boost in productivity with onboard concierge services Eco-conscious in the clouds? Yes, that’s possible too. Green alternatives and carbon offsetting options mean your business’s footprint is as light as the air you travel through 🌱 Leadership isn’t just about making smart decisions. How are you leveraging travel to benefit your business? 🌍 #LuxuryTravel #EmptylegsFlights #EmptyLegs #BusinessTravel #PrivateJet

Strategic Assumptions 🔍 What it is: Assumptions about the future that guide your strategy. Why it matters: Monitoring trends and disruptions ensures these assumptions stay relevant. Story Example: In 2019, Jake’s travel agency was booming. He assumed global tourism would keep growing. Then the pandemic hit, and travel stopped overnight. Jake quickly adjusted his assumptions and pivoted to local and adventure tourism. By offering personalized road trips and nature tours, his agency not only survived but grew during tough times. #Strategy #StrategicPlanning #BusinessStrategy #ScenarioPlanning #AdaptiveStrategy #Leadership #NoblePGCollege #MBA #BSchool 📚 Source: Insights taken from Gartner’s comprehensive guide on strategic planning. (Gartner, 2024) Image source: Gartner, 2024. Used with permission. https://lnkd.in/gfXRxsV

🌟 Unlocking OYO's Potential: A Case Study on Innovation and Growth 🌟 Excited to share my first case study on OYO Rooms, led by the visionary Ritesh Agarwal, who transformed the budget accommodation sector globally. This concise study highlights key innovations, challenges, and growth strategies. From tackling accessibility and privacy issues to rebranding small hotels, OYO has revolutionized the hospitality industry with tech-driven solutions. Despite recent financial hurdles, OYO's commitment to empowering small businesses and expanding into emerging markets remains steadfast. In this case study, I covered: The innovative business model and technology solutions of OYO. Key challenges in the hotel industry and OYO's strategic responses. A detailed SWOT analysis of OYO. Recent news and financial updates. Recommendations for future growth and brand enhancement. Please note, that this is a brief overview and does not cover all challenges and details. Check out detailed SWOT analysis and recommendations for sustaining growth and enhancing customer satisfaction. Let me know your thoughts and any insights you might have!🚀✨ #Hospitality #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #Growth #OYO #TechInHospitality #CaseStudy #Leadership #BusinessStrategy #OYOIPO #Businessanalysis

MakeMyTrip: Tourism leadership lessons MakeMyTrip is not just an online platform; it's an example of how strategic decisions and innovation can redefine a market. Despite global uncertainties, the company has maintained investor confidence and achieved a remarkable 138% share growth in 2024. The key to its success? Integrating technological solutions, such as the acquisition of Happay, and focusing on the enterprise segment. This highlights the importance of flexibility and strategic focus in today's market. For business leaders and entrepreneurs, there's a valuable lesson here: don't hesitate to invest in new directions and strengthen your position through partnerships. What do you think? Where will MakeMyTrip focus its efforts next? https://lnkd.in/eqUMpepb