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In this conversation, Rod Cuthbert, the founder of Viator, shares his journey of transforming travel booking online. He reveals how Viator was born from a failed partnership and his foresight regarding the decline of traditional travel agents. Rod discusses navigating startup challenges, securing investment, and the eventual acquisition by Tripadvisor. He emphasizes the importance of innovation and personal connections in the travel industry while reflecting on the joy of discovering local cultures through food.
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Quick takeaways
- Rod Cuthbert transformed the travel booking landscape by leveraging the internet to pre-book experiences, anticipating the decline of traditional travel agents.
- Viator faced significant challenges securing funding in its early days, highlighting the precarious nature of startup life and investor skepticism.
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Founding Viator and Identifying an Opportunity in Travel
Rod Cuthbert recognized the challenges of booking travel experiences and sought to create a solution through Viator, a platform designed for tourists to pre-book tours and activities. During the late 1990s, he saw the potential to leverage the internet to simplify the booking process, which traditionally required travelers to book experiences only upon their arrival at the destination. His background as a web designer for travel agencies in Australia informed his approach in establishing a business that could streamline reservations for activities globally. Despite initial struggles to make the concept resonate with consumers, Cuthbert remained persistent, laying the groundwork for what would become a significant travel brand.
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