Alberto Yates is an experienced Regional Director for South EMEA at Booking.com, with a proven track record in the hotel industry. He has demonstrated expertise in managing regional operations, where his leadership has contributed to the development and growth of tourism in a fast-paced environment. Known for his focus on teamwork, flexibility, and entrepreneurial spirit, Alberto has successfully led initiatives that drive business growth and enhance customer experiences. His extensive background in the hotel industry, combined with his strategic vision, has made him a key figure in Booking.com’s success in the South EMEA region.
Sessions
April 9, Thursday
Venue: Innovation City Cape Town
OTAs: The Next Frontier
As we enter The Next 20, online travel agencies face a new frontier shaped by AI interfaces, shifting traveller trust, regional platform strength, and new paths to discovery and booking. Will OTAs become invisible infrastructure, intelligent trip partners, or powerful super-platforms? And as travellers gain more tools and control, how must intermediaries evolve to stay essential? This session brings together global and regional OTA leaders to examine where value will be created next – from product and payments to partnerships and localisation – and how competitive dynamics between global giants and homegrown champions will play out across emerging markets. Expect candid perspectives on what OTAs must reinvent, defend, and double down on in the next era of travel distribution.
Speakers:
Alberto Yates, Regional Director, EMEA, Booking
Ross Veitch, CEO & Co-founder, Wego
Tara Colpitts, Senior Director, Expedia Group
Moderator:
