“I’m addicted to TravelBird”

Interview with Symen 11 March 2015

To kick-off our first newsletter we had an interview with our very own CEO, Symen. How does he look back on the last 5 years? What will the future look like? And what’s the first thing he does when he arrives at the office? We have the scoop!

Why did you choose TravelBird as name for the company?

Dennis and I wanted a name that would be associated with something positive, like a flower or an animal. The first name we decided on in the very beginning was GogoBird. After a while we thought the similarity with ‘Gogo Tours’ was too obvious. We then came up with the name ‘TravelBird’, and we both immediately loved it.

What was your biggest challenge within TravelBird so far?

The biggest challenge of TravelBird is to continuously surprise customers with great and inspiring travel offers! I guess that’s the challenge of every birdie. Every day. Together, we should never stop improving, always stay focussed and watch out for bureaucracy!

How do you see the future for TravelBird?

The future is looking very bright! Existing countries are growing continuously and at the same time so are the new countries. This proves that booking a holiday with TravelBird is perceived as a refreshing and inspiring way in every country we are active in. We are doing such a great job at the moment and still there are so many ways in which we can improve. I am really looking forward to improving our brand even further together with all the Birdies!

“ Everybody is eager to help each other to create a better product together. That’s what really energizes me every day.”

What gives you the energy to come to the office every day?

Everyone here is so positive, energetic and transparent. Everybody is eager to help each other to create a better product together. That’s what really drives me and energizes me every day. I am addicted to TravelBird. Even when I’m gone for just one day, I already miss it.

What is the first thing you do arriving at the office?

I take off my coat! (laughs). Well, I usually start the day with a double espresso. I don’t even have to order, because the Barista Birdies already know what I’m there for. Sometimes a friendly birdie let’s me cut in line, but I don’t like to be favoured at all! I want to be treated the same: so waiting in line for my double espresso is definitely my morning ritual.

Could you describe a Birdie in three words?

Eager, fun and willing to help customers and colleagues!

Do you have a roll model?

Not as such, but if I have to name someone it would have to be Elon Musk from Tesla. As an outsider, he took a look at the car industry and wanted to make the environmentally friendly car sexy. From the outside, he really thought in terms of what customers want and only then did he move forward with building the popular car we know today. I wouldn’t compare TravelBird to Tesla, but TravelBird too started from an outsider’s perspective with the client’s wishes at the core.

Could you recommend a book we should all read?

Getting Real by 37Signals. It’s a very practical guide on how to build apps and websites. I would definitely recommend it to everyone.

What’s your ultimate travellers’ tip?

Be receptive to new experiences, let go and enjoy every minute of your holiday!

Personally, I consider myself to be a very average traveller: I’m not the most adventurous traveller, nor do I need a fully planned holiday. I think setting your mind to reenergise through new experiences is really important. Next to that I like to travel light, and recently — after several years — I convinced my wife to do the same!