TBO is committed to providing simplified travel solutions to the travel agencies. Good service is their biggest differentiator.

TDM interviews Gerardo Del Río, who has recently taken over the role of President, International Business, TBO to drive the company’s global expansion efforts. He aims on leveraging his experience to foster innovation, build strategic partnerships, and drive the company’s expansion.

 Travel Daily Media (TDM): TBO has seen tremendous growth in the APAC region over the last couple of years. What do you think have been the primary drivers of growth?

Gerardo Del Río (GDR): For the Asia Pacific region, we have taken very strategic approaches in terms of investing in growing our sales teams, expanding our product portfolio, as well as localising our system for a better customer experience including adding required support languages. All these actions, paired with the growth in overall travel recovery for the region, have led to a very healthy growth.

TDM: What is your strategy to acquire more agents and take TBO to the next level? Any major partnerships done in the ME and APAC? 

GDR: We are and will be leveraging and expanding current local teams in high growth and high potential areas as well as using more digital savvy approaches that allow us further reach and real time interactions with prospective clients. And we will continue to focus on localising our offering and service so the agents in turn can enhance and increase their trust and usability on our platform.

TDM: Currently, what does TBO’s product portfolio look like? Which is the fastest growing product in the Asian markets?

GDR: Our luxury content in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Bali is producing great results for us in the region. We also see a very high increasing trend for Japan as a destination with luxury hotel chains such as direct contracts with Hilton, Kempinski and Four Seasons and this continues to be a very strong direct business for us in the market.

TDM: In May 2024, TBO went public to accelerate growth and raise funds. In that context, are you planning to enter any new markets in APAC? Also, how do you plan to stay ahead of competition in the existing markets?

GDR: We have clear expansion plans all over the globe where our platform, our service offerings and our growing and evolving portfolio of products can satisfy a clear need for travel agents and other B2B travel businesses. In the case of Asia Pacific, we have markets like China, Australia and ASEAN countries where we see a large opportunity. We always strive to remain ahead of the competition in our existing markets, by reinforcing our commitment to our clients and partners in bringing new, unique and relevant products, improving and updating even more the interaction and functionalities in our platform so we can keep taking care of all their needs and reducing their workload further from billing, currency exchange and multi collection platforms and payment gateways, increasing and enhancing our local customer service and many more ongoing projects.

TDM: Why should travel agents and tour operators align with TBO? How can your USPs help them grow their business, increase their profits, and reduce their workload?

GDR: Service is key to travel agencies and tour operators, and this is our biggest differentiation in the market; be committed to excellent service not only to the travel agencies, but to their end consumers and the service and care with which  TBO some of the very interesting and challenging operates with its partners is its differentiating factor, and has helped us grow our business consistently with the recommendation of our current clients 

TDM: It must be exciting to lead such a dynamic market. What are the key challenges that you are looking forward to?

GDR: We look forward in further expanding successfully in many markets worldwide, and truly addressing the clear need where TBO’s core value proposition really is able to simplify travel for so many travel agents, tour operators and other B2B travel businesses throughout many regions.