Interviews

rocketrip-big-chair
Interview / Distribution
In the Big Chair - Dan Ruch of Rocketrip
By Linda Fox | August 7, 2019
Before creating Rocketrip, Ruch was entrepreneur-in-residence at Genacast Ventures for 12 months. He also had a four-year stint at Tremor Video and was a director at AOL.... Read More
STARTUP STAGE: GreatGuides wants adventure travel guides to control their own destiny
Interview / Online
STARTUP STAGE: GreatGuides wants adventure travel guides to control their own destiny
By Jill Menze | August 6, 2019
GreatGuides is a marketplace to connect adventure travelers with adventure guides. Guides create and control their itineraries and pricing and keep up to 90% of trip fees.... Read More
startup-stage-taptrip
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Taptrip builds an efficient business travel booking platform for unmanaged trips
By Linda Fox | August 2, 2019
U.K.-based Taptrip was founded just over a year ago and has seven employees. It has signed a string of partnerships in recent months, including WeWork and Kiwi.com.... Read More
trustabit startup stage
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: TrustaBit uses blockchain to reimburse travelers for flight disruptions
By Jill Menze | July 29, 2019
TrustaBit is a blockchain-based flight disruption management solution that automatically issues vouchers, miles or money to passengers experiencing flight delays.... Read More
Q&A: Vered Schwarz on how women in hospitality can break gender barriers in tech
News / Technology
Q&A: Vered Schwarz on how women in hospitality can break gender barriers in tech
By Jill Menze | July 24, 2019
Short-term rental software provider Guesty's chief operating officer believes women are uniquely positioned to break down the gender imbalance in travel technology.... Read More
Startup Stage Eddy Travels
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Eddy Travels provides personalized trip planning in messaging apps
By Mitra Sorrells | July 23, 2019
Eddy Travels is an AI-powered travel assistant that functions inside messaging platforms such as Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Slack, Viber and Line.  ... Read More
Outside Insight: Samantha Radocchia on blockchain's power to change travel forever
News / Technology
Outside Insight: Samantha Radocchia on blockchain's power to change travel forever
By Jill Menze | July 18, 2019
The entrepreneur, technologist, speaker and author believes blockchain technologies have the power to fundamentally change how consumers and businesses view the very notion of travel itself.... Read More
In The Big Chair - Philipp Mintchin of Splyt
Interview / Technology
In The Big Chair - Philipp Mintchin of Splyt
By Linda Fox | July 17, 2019
Splyt began in London in 2015 as a competitor to Uber, but following regulatory roadblocks, it pivoted to the B2B service it offers today.... Read More
Q&A: Hospitality tech guru Dave Berkus on disruption, exec mistakes and Amazon
News / Technology
Q&A: Hospitality tech guru Dave Berkus on disruption, exec mistakes and Amazon
By Mitra Sorrells | July 16, 2019
Dave Berkus, creator of one of the earliest property management systems, discusses technology lifecycles, the risk of hacking, tech giants and travel, his advice for entrepreneurs and travel executive mistakes.... Read More
Startup Stage Tryps Tech
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Tryps.Tech is digitizing tour and activity distribution for the Middle East
By Mitra Sorrells | July 12, 2019
Tryps.Tech is an online distributor of more than 14,000 tours, activities, attraction tickets, airport lounge access, events and transfers in 130 countries, focused on serving Middle East travelers. Its system offers real-time availability and instant booking.  ... Read More
Damian-Scokin-CEO-Despegar-profile-2
Interview / Online
In The Big Chair - Damian Scokin of Despegar
By Linda Fox | July 11, 2019
Despegar was created in 1999 as one of Latin America's first online travel agencies. Based in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the company raised just $31 million before going public in 2017.... Read More
startup stage spoton
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: SpotOn wants to make ride-hailing easy for pet owners
By Jill Menze | July 9, 2019
SpotOn is a pet-friendly ride-hailing service that matches animal owners with drivers to take the guesswork out of traveling with a pet.... Read More
startup-stage-setoo
Interview / Startups
STARTUP STAGE: Setoo wants to create love for travel insurance
By Linda Fox | July 5, 2019
The company's vision is to offer a B2B insurance service to online intermediaries so they build relevant products for consumers and earn valuable ancillary revenue.... Read More
In The Big Chair LIVE - Gloria Guevara of WTTC
Interview / Online
In The Big Chair LIVE - Gloria Guevara of WTTC
By Mitra Sorrells | July 5, 2019
The former-Sabre executive and minister of tourism in Mexico has been president and CEO of the WTTC since 2017.... Read More
ritesh-agarwal-oyorooms-big chair
Interview / Online
In The Big Chair - Ritesh Agarwal of OYO Rooms
By Linda Fox | July 2, 2019
What began as a budget hotel platform by the 21-year old has grown to encompass holiday homes and corporate accommodation. OYO has made no secret of its ambition to become the largest hotel chain in the world.... Read More