Skip to content
MarketScale
Demo
‹ Back to IndustriesHospitality

Is Travel Booking via Crypto Feasible?

Driven by consumer desires for new experiences, innovative technologies and environmental impacts – travel is changing. Host Sarah Dandashy explores the technologies and logistics that power travel and the brands that build unforgettable experiences.   On this episode of Say Yes To Travel, Host Sarah Dandashy talked with Juan Otero, Co-Founder, and CEO of Travala, a leading…

This story was produced through MarketScale. See how Hospitality teams put it to work with Executive Thought Leadership.

Share

Driven by consumer desires for new experiences, innovative technologies and environmental impacts – travel is changing. Host Sarah Dandashy explores the technologies and logistics that power travel and the brands that build unforgettable experiences.

On this episode of Say Yes To Travel, Host Sarah Dandashy talked with Juan Otero, Co-Founder, and CEO of Travala, a leading blockchain-based travel booking platform offering +2,000,000 properties in 230 countries with prices up to 40 percent cheaper than mainstream booking sites. Dandashy and Otero dug into Otero’s career, Travala and blockchain, and what changes are brewing in the travel industry post-COVID.

“We were the first movers in applying blockchain to a traditional online travel agency.” -Juan Otero

Otero’s career combines a solid combination of tech and travel. He even spent some time working at Booking.com. He served as the CEO and Founder of Restaurantes.com, Europe’s leading online restaurant reservation service, named by Wired Magazine one of Europe’s fastest-growing digital companies in 2012. In 2015, he got his start in blockchain and really became interested in how it could impact the travel industry.

“That’s how we came up with the idea for funding Travala in 2017,” Otero said. “We were the first movers in applying blockchain to a traditional online travel agency.”

While Otero didn’t necessarily see a pain point when he started Travala, he understood the power of blockchain. Blockchain allows the travel industry to decentralize a lot of the processes that are in place. These processes include better pricing, more flexibility, and more payment options. Otero said this goes for other industries, as well.

“Obviously, my experience in the travel industry allowed me to see pretty clearly there was an opportunity there, not just to decentralize a lot of the processes or relationships between travel suppliers and travelers, but to bring a more fair and transparent relationship to the different participants,” Otero said. “… and to enhance the whole booking experience with blockchain technology.”

Say Yes To Travel has a New Episode Every Thursday!

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Twitter – @MarketScale

Facebook – facebook.com/marketscale

LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/marketscale

Hospitality: are you visible to AI?

Before they reach out, Hospitality buyers ask AI engines which vendors to trust. See how AI describes your company today, and where competitors show up instead.

Free workspace

You just read one expert. Imagine publishing your whole team.

This article was produced through MarketScale. Create a free workspace and turn your own team's expertise into articles, video, and social posts. No credit card, no demo required.

NPS +73 · 1,000+ creators · 38+ countries

What you get, free

Your own MarketScale Studio workspace
One video edit a month, on us
AI writing, editing, and publishing tools
In-platform coaching to learn the system

More Hospitality Insights

What every operations leader can learn from a resort evacuation

What every operations leader can learn from a resort evacuation

A massive fire at a Dominican Republic resort resulted in the evacuation of 1,700 guests, underscoring the importance of effective crisis management. This event provides valuable insights for operations leaders in various fields. The incident highlights the need for preparedness and the ability to handle emergencies efficiently.

  • 01Efficient crisis management is crucial in emergencies.
  • 02Preparedness and quick response can prevent chaos.
  • 03Lessons from such incidents are applicable across industries.

Jun 20, 2026

HITEC 2026: Revinate's Ivy automates up to 80% of routine guest inquiries

HITEC 2026: Revinate's Ivy automates up to 80% of routine guest inquiries

Revinate launched Ivy at HITEC 2026, a decision-intelligence layer that automates up to 80% of routine guest inquiries across its hospitality platform. The launch exemplifies the broader shift toward agentic AI in hospitality, with both property-side and online travel platforms deploying autonomous systems to handle guest interactions and reduce labor costs. Hotel operators are now evaluating where in the guest journey—pre-arrival, on-property, or post-stay—to prioritize AI automation.

  • 01Revinate launched Ivy at HITEC 2026.
  • 02Ivy automates up to 80% of routine inquiries.
  • 03It enhances decision making within Revinate's platform.

Jun 17, 2026

HITEC 2026: Revinate's Ivy targets automation of up to 80% of routine guest inquiries

HITEC 2026: Revinate's Ivy targets automation of up to 80% of routine guest inquiries

Revinate introduced Ivy at HITEC 2026, a decision-intelligence layer built to automate up to 80% of routine guest inquiries across its platform. Priceline's Penny assistant extended the agentic AI trend to online travel, collapsing historically separate support and discovery workflows. The announcements signal that agentic AI has become the organizing principle for major hospitality technology vendors.

  • 01Ivy can automate up to 80% of guest inquiries.
  • 02Introduced by Revinate at HITEC 2026.
  • 03Focuses on enhancing efficiency in hospitality operations.

Jun 17, 2026

Explore More Hospitality Insights

Read more expert perspectives from across Hospitality.

Browse Hospitality Hub

For Hospitality teams

See how Hospitality teams use MarketScale →

Executive Thought Leadership

Explore Channels

Industry news, analysis, and expert perspectives

Professional AV›Engineering & Construction›Education Technology›Healthcare›Energy›Software & Technology›Retail›Business Services›Industrial IoT›Sports & Entertainment›Transportation›Sciences›Building Management›Food & Beverage›Architecture & Design›Hospitality›
Keep exploring

More from Hospitality

Hospitality hubMore expert Hospitality coverage.Explore →Executive Thought LeadershipLead the guest-experience conversation.Explore →LocktonService expertise, on camera.Explore →State of B2B MarketingWhat is working in B2B marketing now.Explore →

For B2B teams

Your experts could be publishing here

Stories like this one run on content MarketScale captures from real practitioners. See how your team's expertise becomes coverage in Hospitality and beyond.

Book a 15-minute demo

Or call us. No forms required. We pick up. 214-945-2512