Unbundling travel with Spotnana, enabling innovation with multiple startups - TravelTopia speaker, Copenhagen Goodwill Ambassador
Today marks the end of my time with Spotnana - and also the 3rd time I am included on the BTN-25 list, what a combo and congrats to the 24 others on the list - especially Mark Walton (Solutions Travel) and Steve Singh (Madrona) of course After 6 incredible years full of exciting experiences and developments, it is time for me to disembark the Spotnana rocket. The list is too long for me to mention all the “industry first features” which the Spotnana team has delivered, and there are way too many individuals who should be named, so I will make it brief and just state for one last time that I am incredible proud to have played a small role in the development, deployment and positioning of the first #cloudnative #travelasaservice platform while trying to say #goodbyetothepnr at the same time Sarosh Waghmar - thanks for the ride - I will always remember how the WTMC and Mezi (acquired by American Express) project evolved into Spotnana, and our drive back to Dublin airport in 2018 after the CAPA - Centre for Aviation conference still marks the official beginning of the Spotnana adventure in my head - I wish you and the entire team of spotters around the world continued success While I am saying goodbye to Spotnana today, the official exit will be the 31st December, so there are still a few days left if you want to have a Spotnana chat 😁 That leads me to the second half of this post - yesterday I was incredible surprised and honored to learn that Elizabeth West and the BTN Group had included me on their annual list of the 25 most influential people in 2024 - thank you Beth Beth used my involvement with other startups as the primary reason for making the cut this time and I especially like the opening statement which says “But much more often he makes himself known through the promotion of others - you know the little guys” as that is a perfect summary of why I support the early startup community I typically stay behind the scenes, but do get publicly involved at times, like in the ENVEST GLOBAL, Tryp.com and Creturner Group AB (Publ) cases - but I prefer working with the founders in the background and let them be the face of the innovation they are creating Finally, I have to mention Mark Walton again - he is the best example of going out in front and take a risk. Mark and I met in a hotel bar in London before BTS Europe in February 2019, and I told him about 2 new companies worth looking at. The 2 companies were TROOP and Spotnana, and as history shows Mark not only decided to look, but also decided to go all in. Solutions Travel is a perfect example of a modern TMC working without the “shackles of the legacy infrastructure”, and they have already won customers which other and much bigger TMC’s can only dream about - and this is the true power of open innovation I will join a new rocket in 2025, and will share more about this new and exciting project in January - until then have a great xmas and New Year break https://lnkd.in/eZ-8J4YF
We‘ll see exactly where you are, my friend - because where there is fire, there is light! It has been and will continue to be enriching to exchange ideas…there‘s going to be a big welcome at the landing pad for the most innovative Travel Viking there is! Velkommen tilbage...og vi ses...snart!
Mark Walton
4d
Johnny, congratulations on all the achievements which have marked your amazing career! And I know many will be eagerly awaiting your next exciting journey. Many thanks for your very kind comments above, and for your generous support over many years starting back in 2019 to what has evolved into Solutions Travel and our partnership with Spotnana. I know there are many people in our industry who admire you for your innovation and entrepreneurial drive. More importantly is who you are as an individual; a wonderful human being, a treasured friend and mentor. Thank you for all your support, partnership and friendship!
Steve Singh
4d
Thank you, Johnny Thorsen for all you do for the travel industry. Always a genuine pleasure to work with you. Especially wonderful across Spotnana, TROOP
Congrats on the well-deserved recognition Johnny - and thank you for introducing us to Spotnana, and for championing our partnership internally. We can truly see the unique combo of Goodwings x Spotnana x JTB Business Travel take off now with double-digit growth rates, especially here in the EU, just as we anticipated and discussed in your car from Palo Alto to downtown SF earlier this year. Let's stay in touch, and please come by our office anytime you're in Copenhagen. Wish you a wonderful holiday season!
Jeff Klee
2d
Congrats on on the well-deserved recognition. Among the many brilliant things Sarosh Waghmar has done, bringing you on board has to rank near the top. I know we've technically been competitors over the last several years but its still been fun to watch everything you and your Spotnana colleagues have done. You've pushed us here at AmTrav to work even harder! You're a legend, Johnny Thorsen. I look forward to whatever comes next.
Dear Johnny, I really loved the talk we had during this years GBTA Convention in Atlanta and I was (and I am still) impressed by your track record of knowledge you have gained for years in our beautiful industry and more importantly, what you have delivered to it obviously. Good luck for the next chapters to come and I am looking forward, if our paths cross again someday.
Stephan Koen
20h
Best of luck Johhny was a pleasure working with you and I have no doubt your next venture will be another of great success.
Congrats on all you achieved at Spotnana! Being recognized as one of BTN’s influential people list is an amazing accomplished and so well deserved. You challenge the industry to be better and it’s nice to see that recognized. All the best in your next venture!
Vice President Global Business Travel
3dThank you Johnny for being instrumental in establishing the partnership between Spotnana, JTB Business Travel and Goodwings, the travel trifecta of software, service, and sustainability. We trust this goodbye is a hello to new chapter in which you will undoubtedly continue to push for innovation, succesful collaborations, and a more sustainable future!