top of page
Blogs & Commentary
Welcome to the dynamic intersection of strategic analysis and professional reflection. This space serves as a comprehensive resource, blending actionable commentary drawn from my consultancy work with the personal journey that informs it.
You will find in-depth articles covering critical areas such as strategic growth planning, effective operational scaling in high-value sectors, and best practices in high-impact mentorship.
Furthermore, I publish my candid views and opinions on emerging industry trends, alongside reflective pieces that trace my past experiences and the significant lessons learned throughout my career path.
Explore the full spectrum of content to gain both strategic tools for your business and personal insights for your leadership journey.
Your First 90 Days in a Senior Travel Role: Prioritising People, Product, and Profit 🚀
Congratulations! Stepping into a senior leadership role in the travel industry—whether in Strategy, Commercial, or Product—is a significant achievement. You are now positioned to make a profound impact on the direction of your company and the wider sector. However, the pressure to deliver results immediately can be immense. Based on my experience moving through diverse senior roles, the critical mistake new leaders make is jumping straight into fixing problems before fully un
Carlo Rappa
Nov 24, 20253 min read
The Future-Proof Traveler: Why Adaptability Is Your Most Valuable Asset 🛡️
In my two decades navigating the travel industry—from the front lines of Operations to the strategic boardroom—I’ve witnessed constant, jarring change. We are an industry perpetually disrupted by technology, geopolitics, climate events, and shifting consumer expectations. The traditional career path, relying solely on deep expertise in one niche, is becoming a relic. Today, the most valuable asset you can possess isn't a prestigious title or a vast network; it's adaptability
Carlo Rappa
Nov 10, 20252 min read
The Crisis Pivot: Lessons Learned in Travel Commercial Strategy 📉➡️📈
In my two decades in the travel industry, I've seen the market shift dramatically—from global economic tremors and natural disasters to unprecedented industry shutdowns. If my time in Operations taught me the value of detail, my years in Commercial Strategy taught me the necessity of the pivot. A crisis is a commercial stress test. It’s not just about managing losses; it’s about making immediate, decisive changes to your core commercial levers: pricing, inventory, and cancell
Carlo Rappa
Nov 3, 20253 min read
Building a 'Career Portfolio,' Not Just a CV: The Power of Side Projects ✨
For two decades, I’ve watched careers in the travel industry flourish, and the key differentiator isn't always the title on a business card. The truly impactful professionals—the ones who become sought-after leaders and advisors—do more than just their day job. They build a Career Portfolio . A traditional CV is a list of job descriptions. A Career Portfolio, however, is a dynamic collection of evidence showcasing your expertise, values, and strategic impact beyond the confi
Carlo Rappa
Oct 27, 20253 min read
The Global Traveler: Sourcing, Supply Chain, and Cultural Nuance 🤝
Most travellers see the stunning hotel, the flawless transfer, or the incredible local guide. I see the contracts, the logistics, and the rigorous Sourcing strategy that made that experience reliable. My experience has taken me through every facet of the travel supply chain, and it's taught me that Sourcing—the art and science of finding, negotiating with, and managing suppliers—is the invisible engine of the industry. It's where you build supply chain reliability, manage ris
Carlo Rappa
Oct 20, 20252 min read
Selling the Dream: How to Master B2B Travel Sales 🤝
For those outside the industry, 'travel sales' might conjure images of booking cheap holidays. But within the business world, B2B travel sales —selling complex services to airlines, hotel groups, agencies, or corporations—is one of the most strategic, high-stakes commercial functions. In my experience across Sales and Partnership roles, I learned quickly that B2B travel sales isn't about closing a quick deal; it's about initiating a long-term partnership with purpose . You ar
Carlo Rappa
Oct 12, 20253 min read
Beyond the Brochure: What Does a 'Product' Role Really Mean in Travel? 🗺️
When most people think of a 'travel product,' they picture a glossy brochure showcasing a beach resort, a cruise ship, or a guided tour. And while those are the outputs , the role of a Product Manager in the travel industry is far more complex, strategic, and often technical. Having worked in roles from Operations to Strategy , I’ve learned that a great travel product manager is a triple-threat: a market analyst, a customer champion, and a master orchestrator of internal te
Carlo Rappa
Oct 10, 20253 min read
Decoding the Tech Stack: What Every Non-IT Travel Professional Should Know ⚙️
As someone who has worked across Operations, Product, Sales, and Strategy, I can tell you the greatest strategic misstep I see travel professionals make is viewing technology as "the IT department's problem." In today’s travel landscape, technology isn't just a cost centre; it's the product . If you’re in Sales, you’re selling the reliability of a tech platform. If you’re in Product, you're designing with the limitations and opportunities of that tech in mind. To truly succee
Carlo Rappa
Oct 3, 20253 min read
The Six Essential Skills Every Travel Pro Needs: Beyond Just Loving Travel 🌍
Ask anyone what you need to work in the travel industry, and they'll likely say, "A passion for travel." While a genuine enthusiasm for the world certainly helps, it’s not what drives results, negotiates contracts, or manages a crisis. The truth is, a career in travel is a serious business career . It operates at the intersection of logistics, technology, and global economics. Based on my two decades of experience, here are the six non-negotiable, in-demand business skills th
Carlo Rappa
Sep 27, 20253 min read
From Ops to Strategy: My Two-Decade Road Trip Through the Travel Industry ✈️
For over two decades, I've had the privilege of living and breathing the travel industry. When I look back, my career hasn't been a straight path; it's been more like a scenic, often bumpy, road trip that’s taken me through Operations, Product, Sales, Sourcing, and Strategy . While each role had its own unique demands, the most important lesson I learned is that every ticket counter, call center queue, and supplier negotiation was a crucial building block for the strategic th
Carlo Rappa
Sep 20, 20252 min read
bottom of page