DidaTravel, a global travel distribution company powered by technology, is making a strategic move to solidify its presence in North America. The company has appointed Theresa McLarney as its Senior Business Development Director, a key step in DidaTravel’s global growth strategy. McLarney will be responsible for expanding the company’s reach within the US and Canadian markets, two crucial areas for DidaTravel’s success. This appointment signifies DidaTravel’s ambition to become a leading player in accommodation distribution.
McLarney will report directly to Germán Perez, VP of Business Development for The Americas. Her primary goal is to cultivate DidaTravel’s network of over 35,000 B2B buyers, which includes travel agents, tour operators, online travel agencies (OTAs), travel management companies (TMCs), and meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) specialists. These buyers currently contribute over 50% of DidaTravel’s sales outside its traditional Asia Pacific (APAC) market, highlighting the importance of North America for future growth.
McLarney’s key responsibility will be to ensure DidaTravel’s extensive portfolio of over 75,000 competitively sourced direct hotel contracts and more than 1,000,000 accommodation products supplied by over 600 global partners gains visibility in the US and Canada. These markets are recognized as vital sources for high-value, hard-to-reach, and incremental bookings.
With over 30 years of experience in the travel industry, McLarney brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her new role. Prior to joining DidaTravel, she held senior commercial positions at prominent travel firms like Go Global Travel Group, Hotelspro, Bedsonline, GTA, and Cendant. Her extensive career demonstrates her ability to develop and implement successful commercial strategies that drive growth, making her an invaluable asset to DidaTravel.
Germán Perez highlighted McLarney’s track record of building strong relationships with key stakeholders across the travel industry, particularly in North America. He expressed confidence in her ability to elevate DidaTravel’s business in this critical region, emphasizing that her deep connections and understanding of the North American market will be crucial in achieving ambitious growth targets.
McLarney’s appointment comes at a time when the North American travel market is rebounding strongly from the pandemic. Her experience and leadership will allow DidaTravel to capitalize on the growing demand for accommodation solutions, especially as international travel picks up and travelers seek competitive booking options.
For the North American travel industry, this partnership marks a significant development. With DidaTravel’s extensive global supplier network and competitive pricing, travel agencies, OTAs, and other travel-related businesses in the region will gain access to a broader range of accommodation options, enabling them to offer better deals to their customers. This could lead to an increase in inbound and outbound travel, particularly for leisure and business travelers seeking more flexible booking solutions.
From a global perspective, DidaTravel’s expansion into North America through McLarney’s leadership is expected to enhance the travel experience for travelers worldwide. As more accommodation options become available, travelers from the US and Canada will have greater access to competitively priced hotels and other accommodations, both domestically and internationally. This is likely to influence travel trends, with more travelers opting for affordable yet high-quality accommodations when planning their trips. Additionally, the partnership could have a ripple effect on international travel by increasing the volume of US and Canadian travelers seeking destinations around the world. As North American travelers become more connected to DidaTravel’s vast accommodation network, global tourism could see a boost, particularly in regions where DidaTravel has strong partnerships with local suppliers.
Looking ahead, DidaTravel’s strategy for North American growth under McLarney’s guidance appears promising. As the travel industry continues to evolve, particularly in the post-pandemic landscape, the company’s focus on competitive pricing and a broad range of accommodation options will likely resonate with both B2B buyers and individual travelers. The appointment of McLarney is expected to further consolidate DidaTravel’s position as a leading player in the global travel wholesale market, especially as demand in the US and Canada increases.
McLarney expressed her excitement about joining DidaTravel at such a pivotal time. She highlighted the rapid growth already achieved in the North American market and looks forward to further strengthening the company’s presence in the region. With her leadership, DidaTravel is well-positioned to continue its successful international expansion.
