Departure comes two months after launch of start-up’s OTA platform
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Andy Washington leaves Culture Trip
UK start-up Culture Trip has confirmed the departure of Andy Washington just two months after he oversaw the launch of its OTA platform.
Washington, who joined the media and travel start-up in July last year from Travel Republic parent dnata Travel, is understood to be on a period of gardening leave.
Culture Trip raised $80 million in April last year and announced its intention to become an OTA using its rich destination content to attract bookers.
Podcast: InteleTravel’s James Ferrera and Culture Trip’s Andy Washington
In August, the firm announced the soft launch of accommodation bookings on its site having struck a deal with software supplier Codegen to use its Travelbox technology platform.
Kris Naudts, founder and chief executive of Culture Trip, said: “During his time at Culture Trip, Andy has played a pivotal role in making our online travel agency offer a reality, launching the results of that project online last month.
“The OTA is now live and the team is in a strong position to innovate and expand on our current OTA offering. We thank Andy for his hard work, energy and passion and wish him the very best in his next career move.”
Washington said: “It’s with a heavy heart that I leave Culture Trip, a business which I believe is one of the most entrepreneurial and future thinking in the travel industry.
“I’d like to say thank you to Kris and the very talented team here; some of the most dedicated and hardworking colleagues I’ve met during my career. Launching the business’ OTA offer has been a true highlight in my career, and I am now moving on to my next chapter”.
Prior to dnata Travel, where Washington headed up the group’s B2C brands Travel Republic, Travelbag and Netflights, he spent five years at Expedia as managing director for northern Europe and latterly also for the ebookers brand in EMEA.
Washington has also held senior sales positions at Thomas Cook, lastminute.com and Cosmos Holidays.
Last week Culture Trip announced the recruitment of a new human resources, or “people”, team headed by former global senior director of recruiting at OTA Booking.com Karen Kesner following a number of senior departures.
More: Culture Trip appoints new people team headed by Booking.com’s Kesner
