“ITB Berlin is the perfect platform to connect with key players in the tourism industry.”
ITB Berlin News spoke with Tim Jodts, Chief Supply Officer at travelWorld, about his career path within the industry and what he is looking for at the show this year
Mr Jodts outlined the priorities of travellers today, how travelWorld is adapting its offer with the changing times and trends, and why ITB Berlin is the event that “brings the global travel world together in one place.”
Can you tell us a bit about yourself, travelWorld and your journey with the company?
I was practically born into the tourism industry. My father used to organise “snow classes” for 12-year-old schoolchildren from Belgium to Switzerland and even managed his own youth hotel there. I followed in his footsteps, studying tourism and hotel management, which kickstarted my journey in this field.
I began my career in hospitality at the renowned Club Med resorts, gained experience working for an event company, and then transitioned to destination management for American Tours international in the US. From there, I spent a significant part of my career in tour operating (from start-ups to the bigger companies like TUI, Lastminute.com, Thomas Cook) ultimately finding the perfect blend of travel and MICE within a company tied to a loyalty programme.
In 2015, Dr Rainer Schuster founded a startup called Roombonus, which he sold in August 2019 to a global loyalty programme called myWorld. This shopping community boasted 15 million members and 150,000 online and offline shops across 55 countries. After acquiring the domain name, the company was rebranded as travelWorld.com. The new travel company embraced a fully customer-centric approach. Our motto, “Your journey is our journey,” reflects our passion for travel and our commitment to creating services that we, as travellers, would want to use ourselves.
“Many travellers are tired of endlessly comparing prices and spending hours searching for the best deal. They value convenience and reliability, even if it means paying a little extra.”
What are the main priorities of travellers today, and how is TravelWorld adapting to meet these expectations?
Today’s travellers prioritise efficiency and automation. The world is moving faster than ever, and the travel industry must keep up. It’s no longer just about price; it’s about offering a seamless, hassle-free experience with powerful features that support travellers throughout their journey.
Many travellers are tired of endlessly comparing prices and spending hours searching for the best deal. They value convenience and reliability, even if it means paying a little extra. TravelWorld Plus is designed to meet this need—members pay a small subscription fee but enjoy the best prices, top-tier features, and premium support from booking to the end of their trip.
What are your main goals at ITB Berlin this year?
ITB Berlin is the perfect platform to connect with key players in the tourism industry. It truly is the leading international trade fair that brings the global travel world together in one place. For TravelWorld, it is an invaluable opportunity to meet our international partners in person—ranging from hoteliers and DMCs to technology providers and travel product suppliers. Our meetings focus on business updates, potential improvements, and future developments.
Additionally, I am looking for new partners to enhance our offerings for the worldwide shopping community of the myWorld loyalty programme. Last but not least, ITB Berlin provides a fantastic occasion to reconnect with old colleagues and friends in the industry while enjoying the vibrant atmosphere of Berlin.
