Author: Abrar
Hello! My name is Abrar.
I’ve been fortunate to have big company and startup experience, technology and business exposure, all of which across a dozen countries around the world alongside some really talented, interesting individuals along the way.
I'm currently a travel focused venture capitalist for the past 12 years; my partners and I have invested in 7 companies around the world ranging from 500k USD to 50M USD+.
Prior to this I ran a 50 person boutique online travel agency for 9 years, was interim CTO for a 20 person travel technology company; which is where I first started in the travel industry, and a Senior Software Developer for Aramark, a Fortune 150 company.
There’s not enough focus on 2023 being a worse year than 2022.
Every projection --- IMF, World Bank, Industry Analysts, WSJ, Bloomberg --- I read is not just worse next year, but significantly worse.
BNPL responsibly.
Consumers are increasingly opting for “Buy Now, Pay Later” services regarding financing options. These services are exploding in use and will only increase in the months and years ahead. Quick Background These services directly or indirectly use companies such as Affirm, Afterpay, Klarna, and PayPal Credit for consumers to make interest-free installment payments on a purchase over several weeks. These companies are high-tech clearinghouses in addition to their direct-to-consumer offerings. Just today, Apple introduced its BNPL via Apple Pay, and I have no doubt it’ll be wildly profitable for them, given their various channels and cross opportunities. Not A New Concept ... Read more
Reduction in Summer 2022 global travel growth (and why).
I am cutting (global) travel industry growth targets by 15% for June/July/August summer travel. GDP growth reduction, skyrocketing inflation, consumer price increases, central bank rate increases and additional contributing factors (staff shortages, low morale..).
Positive Early Metaverse Observations
I believe we’ll talk about “life before the Metaverse” the way we talk about “life before the Internet”. Not anytime soon but when access to VR devices, bandwidth and content are available; similar to the proliferation of the Internet and and future Metaverse Native generations.
Extending Virtual Discussion Panel Time Limits.
“Fit the allotted time to content and event type rather than the opposite.”
Why Mideast OTA’s struggle.
Mideast OTA’s simply don’t, don’t to the same level of success or been too slow in executing the right strategy.
Travel is growing again.
(yes you read that right). This post is intended (a) to spur markets you can cater to or research further, and (b) demonstrate travel is rebounding around the world. Turkey inbound travel had the best EVER year for inbound travel. Pakistan is growing and almost at pre-Covid levels given the players I’ve spoken with. Seychelles has capacity constraints with all the inbound travelers from South Asia and MENA. In most markets, domestic travel is growing and the first to rebound. This is the case in India, the United States, S Africa and China. All have large and growing intra-country traffic. ... Read more
Where the lite travel apps? Reasons you could need one.
ravel apps need to take a page out of the social media app handbook and publish lite versions. I feel strongly about this, and this applies to non-travel apps as well.
You’re Probably Doing local travel wrong.
Travelers from nearby countries are grossly underserved and represent a lucrative untapped group of travelers.