Share
))
HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons hosts the most downloaded sports podcast of all time, with a rotating crew of celebrities, athletes, and media staples, as well as mainstays like Cousin Sal, Joe House, and a slew of other friends and family members who always happen to be suspiciously available.
…
continue reading
Manage episode 512452148 series 3474086
Content provided by Dan Christian. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Dan Christian or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://staging.podcastplayer.com/legal.
A misbooked flight, a lost day in Beijing, and a spark that reshaped how millions discover what to do when they land. In this Captains of Industry episode, we sit down with Tao Tao, Co-Founder and COO of GetYourGuide, to unpack what it really takes to build a global marketplace for experiences—from cold-calling suppliers before the website even existed to mastering SEO when organic growth still compounded, and designing a company around work, not titles or ego.
Tao explains why execution - not a single “big idea” - wins in travel. We explore how GetYourGuide scaled city by city, managed operator tensions with radical clarity, and made UX choices - like 24-hour cancellation - that boost conversion without breaking trust. He shares lessons on timing, luck, and how culture - anchored in curiosity, high standards, and follow-through - turns principles into performance.
Looking ahead, Asia is roaring back, with Japan leading both demand and creative supply. Learning-led experiences - from cooking classes to knife-making workshops are surging as travelers seek skill and story over stuff. As GetYourGuide expands into multi-day trips, shows, and events, Tao envisions owning more of the traveler’s journey from “What should we do tonight?” to “How do we make this trip unforgettable?” He even welcomes Airbnb’s return to experiences, noting that a rising tide of awareness lifts every boat.
If you care about the future of travel, marketplaces, or simply making great things easier to find, this conversation delivers sharp insights and practical takeaways. For more information on GetYourGuide, please visit getyourguide.com.
👉 Listen to Inside GetYourGuide's Journey Now
🔥 Special Thanks to our Season 6 Title Sponsors for their Support: Holafly, Propellic, PayCompass, Kaptio, Civitatis and WeRoad
The #1 B2B Travel Podcast Globally. Over 100 Episodes. Listeners in 125 countries. New Episodes Every Weds.
https://www.traveltrendspodcast.com/
Chapters
1. Setting the Stage: Travel’s Mega Trend (00:00:00)
2. Host Intro, Series Context, and Guest (00:00:29)
3. Tao’s Origin Story and Early Spark (00:01:46)
4. From Beijing Misadventure to Big Idea (00:05:28)
5. Roles, Org Design, and COO Philosophy (00:09:05)
6. Building a Marketplace: Supply, SEO, and Grit (00:13:59)
7. Funding Journey: Europe vs US Capital (00:18:08)
8. Differentiation Through Execution and Scale (00:22:34)
9. Navigating Operator Tensions and UX Choices (00:26:03)
10. Post‑COVID Convictions and Consumer Shifts (00:31:02)
11. Category Expansion and Multi‑Day Moves (00:36:15)
12. Asia’s Surge and Learning‑Led Experiences (00:39:18)
13. Airbnb Experiences and Category Lift (00:42:41)
14. Founder Advice, Culture, and Principles (00:45:00)
15. Rapid Fire: Food, Japan, and Tools (00:49:20)
16. Closing, Upcoming Guests, and Events (00:53:05)
171 episodes
