Automation specialist RightRez appoints Pieter van der Voort as Business Development Director

He's ex-Travelport and Booking.com

Travel automation specialist RightRez has announced the appointment of Pieter van der Voort to its business development team in Europe.

The US-based firm that provides a range of solutions including flight booking, fare optimisation, mid-office and ticketing, welcomes van der Voort as business development director.

Van der Voort previously held the position of director of partnerships and alliances for EMEA at Travelport for six years.

He launched Booking.com’s APAC operation, overseeing the opening of its first office in the region in Singapore in 1999 and running operations until the Priceline Group takeover in 2005.

He has also held several senior e-commerce and IT advisory and consultancy roles across different sectors.

He will report to Maria von Foerster, CEO of RightRez. She said: “Pieter has hands-on experience of how competitive the European travel tech market is, and we’re convinced that RightRez’ product portfolio can stand up with the best.

“The management team at RightRez will give Pieter the support and time needed to build our presence, get our products out in the market and to be part of the conversation.”

RightRez, which celebrated its 20th anniversary last year and is privately owned, provides a range of tools covering flight booking, fare optimisation and re-shopping, mid-office and ticketing.

It focuses on identifying the touchpoints where automation can help reduce costs for the supplier and traveller while saving time and boosting the efficiency for the supplier.

It also has developed a footprint with travel management companies active in the tour operators, cruise, offshore and marine crew vertical.

Clients in the US include many of the brands owned by The Travel Corporation and by Globus Family of Brands as well as major and specialist cruise lines such as AMA Waterways and Uniworld Boutique River Cruises.

The firm has also appointed consultancy firm A Bright Approach to enlist the services of its founder, Charlotte Lamp Davies, as as an advisor to support its sales and marketing strategy as well as its brand positioning.

Von Foerster added: “We’ve got a handful of clients in Europe already and we’ve identified areas where we think our technology can make a difference.

“We’re looking forward to the challenge and, with Pieter and Charlotte on board we’re excited about the opportunities ahead.”