The world of travel is evolving with exciting trends that promise to redefine the way we experience and engage with destinations. The vast world of travel demands strong leadership, like a shining beacon that guides travellers through the constantly shifting terrains of the sector with sustainable tourism. Leaders in the tourism industry need to be visionaries—foreseeing the latest tourism trends and capable of managing the interests of multiple stakeholders. Here are the top five appointments in the travel and tourism in 2024.

FCM Travel India Appoints Shailendra Pandey as its New Chief Technology Officer

To enhance its technological capabilities, FCM Travel India has appointed Shailendra Pandey as its new Chief Technology Officer. He has 17 years of tech experience, working as a development engineer, solutions manager, and most recently as the director of engineering for a billion-dollar firm before joining FCM Travel India. A skilled software engineer, Pandey is tasked with aligning the firm's tech product strategy with its business objectives, ensuring a seamless and gratifying encounter for both end-users and clients.

Pandey is crucial in aligning with the Indian leadership team and integrating with broader technological strategies across Asia. An automation roadmap that promises to elevate productivity and reinforce data reliability is key to his mandate. Pandey also works closely with three of FCM Asia's Chief Technology Officers in Asia, Japan and China to develop and deploy an automation roadmap to drive productivity while increasing data reliability. 

Rikant Pittie, Co-Founder, EaseMyTrip Elected as Vice Chairman of CII, Delhi State Council

A significant development that marks a fresh chapter in the journey of Indian entrepreneurship and industry leadership, Rikant Pittie, co-founder of EaseMyTrip, one of India's leading travel and tourism companies, has been elected as the Vice Chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Delhi State Council for the term 2024-25. The prestigious appointment highlights Pittie's remarkable contributions to the Indian economic landscape and his optimistic outlook on the country's progress and sustainability.

EaseMyTrip has shown remarkable growth and innovation under Pittie's leadership, demonstrating excellence and customer-centricity. CII's theme for 2023–24 is 'Towards a Competitive and Sustainable India that is Growth, Inclusiveness, Globalization, and Building Trust,' which aligns with his vision for the nation's development. As Vice Chairman, he is expected to further invigorate CII's initiatives across its 65 offices, including 10 Centres of Excellence in India and eight overseas offices. His role is expected to leverage institutional partnerships across 133 countries.

The limitless promise of Indian entrepreneurship is highlighted by Pittie's rise from EaseMyTrip's founding to Delhi State Council CII Vice Chairmanship. His timely leadership aligns with prioritizing sustainability as he is an advocate for competitive enhancement. His dynamic leadership has led him from creating an empire of online travel business to guiding stakeholders towards sustainable yet profitable business models. CII's transformative influence will help Pittie drive innovation and collaboration, aiming for an independent India that also contributes significantly to the world.

Sabre Appoints Abdul-Razzaq Iyer and Ramzi Al-Qassab to Drive the Growth

In a deliberate move to accelerate its growth and expansion in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) regions, Sabre Corporation, a leading technology provider to the global travel sector, appointed two leaders.

Abdul-Razzaq Iyer has assumed the new position of Vice President of Operations and Strategy in EMEA, and Ramzi Al-Qassab has assumed the new position of Managing Director for the Middle East. Sabre's mission of redefining travel through advanced technology and innovation is poised to be driven by these changes.  

Iyer  leads the  strategic sales initiatives and forge key partnerships, focusing on significant opportunities within the EMEA markets to enhance Sabre's market presence and revenue. Iyer will focus on significant opportunities within the EMEA markets to enhance Sabre's market presence and revenue.

 

Al-Qassab will lead the Middle East region and deliver Sabre's commitment to empowering travel buyers by leveraging next-generation technology applications. Sabre's commitment to its strategic vision and its determination to remain at the forefront of the travel industry's evolution are emphasized by these leadership appointments.

Travix Appoints Mira van Houwelingen as Chief Marketing Officer, Strengthening Global Leadership

The leading online travel agency Travix has named Mira van Houwelingen its new Chief Marketing Officer. Mira will lead Travix's global marketing initiatives, focusing primarily on positioning the company's flagship brand, CheapTickets, as the preferred online travel agency in the Benelux region. As Head of Marketing Netherlands at Getir, Mira was instrumental in launching and establishing the brand in the Dutch market. She previously held key positions such as Head of Marketing and Digital at Mot Hennessy and various marketing roles at Rituals and Unilever.

Yatra Online Strengthens Leadership Team with Gaurav Luthra’s Appointment as Chief Business Officer

Yatra Online appoints Gaurav Luthra as the Chief Business Officer for New Business Development. He will spearhead the company’s focus on expanding its corporate travel offerings, particularly targeting mid-market customers, with over 28 years of industry experience. As the managing director of FCM Travel, part of Australia's Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG), Luthra has amassed an impressive resume for his innovative approach to product creation, technological advancement, and forging solid supplier connections to boost revenue growth.

Luthra will use his vast experience and proven leadership skills to enhance Yatra's offerings for the mid-market and SME segments, including new services such as Visa facilitation and car rentals tailored for business travellers. Significant financial growth is expected for Yatra, which is committed to delivering superior travel experiences to its clients.