This is a guest post from Jose Luis Vilar, co-founder and chief product and technology officer. carabello. I wrote about the importance of strong startups in July 2021.why now” I then asked readers to share examples that fit the “why now” categories I mentioned. Three years later, I received an answer from Jose Luis. You can read it below 🙂
Almost 3 years ago, Travel Tech Essentialist #60; why now, applied Lenny’s framework to the travel sector. The post highlights five drivers and points out that ‘why now’ may emerge later through technology, regulation, and changes in people’s behavior or beliefs.
Today's post is not intended to challenge this idea, but rather to support the idea that each idea has its moment to shine, its “Super Bowl,” a moment when even the underdog can perform better and emerge victorious. Below are some recent changes and interpretations of the company that fit this storyline.
The pandemic has fundamentally changed the travel landscape and industry beliefs. For companies that: carabelloThis was not purely a “why now” moment for the airline, but rather a “why not” opportunity.
The entire aviation industry has experienced a hard reset, allowing innovative solutions to thrive by breaking away from existing technologies and ways of thinking. This reset has forced airlines to move away from outdated systems and practices and adopt modern solutions to old problems.
For Caravelo Products already on the market We were able to build a compelling business case. We have proven the relevance of recurring revenue and the readiness of our subscription platform. This change in belief shortened our average sales cycle from 267 days to a record 78 days, highlighting the industry's shift toward faster decision-making and implementation.
Recently, IATA's Resolution 753 was promoted., which mandates baggage tracking at key points throughout the journey, is putting pressure on airlines to strengthen their baggage handling processes. This regulation promotes the development and adoption of advanced baggage tracking technology, including branded tags, which reduces the likelihood of bags being mishandled, improving tracking accuracy and customer satisfaction.
Bob's Travel Tag Take advantage of the growing demand for real-time baggage information and the real-time tracking capabilities of Bluetooth technology. Passengers have been using Bluetooth trackers like Apple AirTags to track lost luggage for some time. which The lack of integration with aviation technology has led to frustration among travelers. And so are the airlines. Some airlines have even banned the technology.
Bob saw this as an opportunity and took a significant step by creating airline-branded Bluetooth tags that were fully integrated into the airline app and ecosystem. This twist allowed them to transform the challenge into a valuable service that increased passenger satisfaction and trust in the airline.
Another important moment is Recent airline refund policy changes announced by the Biden-Harris administration. The new rules require airlines to provide automatic cash refunds for canceled or significantly changed flights, delayed baggage and undelivered services. It is a significant change that opens up vast opportunities for innovative travel technology solutions in this sector.
Deal Engine's Automated refund platforms are uniquely positioned to capitalize on these changes and demonstrate the importance of agility and prediction in the industry. Despite serving both OTAs and airlines, these trends and requirements typically start in the U.S. and spread globally, so this shift is likely to accelerate uptake by airlines regardless of type (full service or low-cost) .
COVID-19 was a game-changer, fundamentally changing the travel environment and our beliefs. However, these moments of change are constant in the travel industry. Recognizing the right moment and responding effectively to it is what truly differentiates successful ventures in the dynamic world of travel technology.
As Picasso said, “Inspiration exists, but you have to find it in you to try.” We've worked tirelessly to recognize and capture these important moments in travel technology. We all believe that it is possible to build a large business without an immediate “why now,” and that our “Super Bowl” moment may be just around the corner.
Even if you have an amazing “why now,” failure is still possible if execution is poor or untimely. We must continually innovate and adapt to achieve success and move forward.
Caravelo's success wasn't just about the pandemic creating a “why not” scenario. The idea was to prepare a product that could take advantage of the industry's reset button. Likewise, Bob's TravelTag didn't just take advantage of a regulatory gap. It provides the superior airline integration solutions that airlines and passengers crave. With its existing platform, Deal Engine is poised to dominate the post-refund regulatory environment.
Travel Tech Essentialist's “Why Now” post reminds us that while timing is important, journey and execution are equally important. The dynamic nature of the industry means opportunities arise all the time, and being ready to act is the key to success in an ever-evolving environment. So sharpen your ideas, stay agile, and be ready to execute them flawlessly when the Super Bowl moment arrives. The travel industry and its ever-evolving requirements await.