So much has happened within the travel industry and in the world at large over the past two years – the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, inflation, the list goes on – that genuine feelings of optimism may be few and far between.
But there are plenty of reasons to remain positive, said Rod Cuthbert, founder of Viator, former CEO of Rome2rio and board member of Veltra and Jayride, speaking in the PhocusWire Studio at Phocuswright Europe, and travel companies should use this time to seize the opportunities ahead of them.
“Seeing around the world the way people have jumped back into travel … people are saying, ‘Dammit, I’m going anyway!’ That’s a terrific thing for the industry; there’s so much growth potential,” Cuthbert said.
“There’s an opportunity for companies to come in and do new things and for existing companies to do better.”
In conversation with PhocusWire news editor Jill Menze, Cuthbert discussed the travel opportunities that excite him, as well as his thoughts on Tripadvisor potentially spinning off Viator and what he believes Google is actually getting right.
Watch the full interview below.
Executive Interview: Rod Cuthbert