Management Shakeup at Booking System Rollup Rezdy-Checkfront-Regiondo

The previous leadership from Rezdy and Checkfront have left the company as details emerge about the combined entity of reservation systems for tour and activity operators

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by and | 26 February 2024

The company that has acquired the three tour and activity booking systems Rezdy, Checkfront and Regiondo have made changes to the executive leadership, with former FareHarbor executive Mark Loh taking on the CEO position of the combined companies.

Chris Atkin and Susan DeBottis, the CEO and Chief Growth Officers at Rezdy, respectively, have left the company. Checkfront co-founder Grant Jurgeneit and COO Mark Holder have also departed. 

The private equity firm behind the rollup is Vertica Capital Partners, which has invested approximately $150 million to acquire and merge the three companies, according to a senior level company insider. 

Arival first reported on the Rezdy-Checkfront merger in July 2023. News broke a month later that Regiondo, the Germany-based booking system, joined the fold. Regiondo’s CEO, Oliver Nützel, remains with the company.

According to the senior insider we spoke with on condition of anonymity, each of the three companies have approximately the same number of customers, with a total of about 17,000, and they each represent an annual gross booking value of approximately $5 billion with a combined enterprise value of approximately $300 million.

The new CEO of the combined companies, Mark Loh, spent six years as VP of global product and chief product officer at FareHarbor, the largest booking system by number of customers and now a division of online travel booking giant Booking Holdings. 

FareHarbor’s co-founder and former CEO Lawrence Hester is involved with Vertica Capital Partners as a “special limited partner,” according to his LinkedIn profile. 

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What does this mean for operators?

The company and investment firm behind the combined booking system merger has not spoken publicly about the deal or future plans. With three different booking systems and thousands of customers around the world, big questions remain about the future of the combined businesses and what it will mean for operators and distributors. 

Software rollups like these typically leverage economies of scale by integrating the systems and services. This could include such elements as back office functions, payments, distribution connectivity (a single API to connect to online travel agencies and other platforms), customer service, and even the underlying booking systems. 

All of these steps would have business implications for the thousands of operators using their software, as well as the many partners that connect to it for reselling and other services.  

What’s Next for Res-Tech? Learn More At Arival!

Arival will continue to cover this story as it develops — stay tuned for more details and get on our newsletter list to make sure you don’t miss out!

The leadership shakeup will undoubtedly be a subject of discussion at the upcoming Arival in Berlin. Join us at Arival 360 | Berlin to learn more and connect in person with leaders from across the in-destination experiences sector. 

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Tags: checkfront, Featured, Regiondo, Rezdy, Restech, booking systems, reztech, leadership change

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WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ARIVAL | ACTIVATE EDINBURGH AND ARIVAL 360 | VALENCIA AND WHICH SHOULD I ATTEND?

Since 2019, Arival has hosted one major event in Europe each year. For 2024-2025, we’re thrilled to offer two exciting events: Arival 360 | Valencia and Arival | Activate Edinburgh. Here’s a quick comparison to help you decide which event to attend—or why you might want to come to both:

Arival 360 | Valencia (28-30 April 2025)
  • Scope: Flagship European Event with a global reach; up to 30% of attendees from outside Europe, including the U.S., Middle East, LATAM, and APAC.
  • Audience: Experience creators, tech and distribution companies, and industry professionals from around the world.
  • Arival Theater Content: Global topics including: over-tourism and sustainability, technology, distribution, European consumer and operator trends.
  • Breakout Sessions: In-depth workshops on operational best practices, product expansion, AI, channel management, marketing tech, a Spain-specific track and an Innovation Showcase highlighting the most tech-savvy companies in our industry.
  • Networking: Connect with leading OTAs and distribution companies, and build valuable partnerships.
  • Location: Valencia, a stunning coastal city offering rich cultural experiences.
  • Attendees: Approximately 800, providing extensive networking opportunities.
Arival | Activate Edinburgh (23-25 November 2024)
  • Scope: Regional focus on the UK, Ireland, and the Nordic regions.
  • Audience: Operators and industry professionals from the region.
  • Content: Gain insights on regional topics like technology, distribution strategies, and hear from top regional tourism leaders.
  • Breakout Sessions: Experience hands-on learning at Edinburgh’s top attractions and tours, with sessions on visitor experience, digital journeys and innovative tour development. In-depth sessions for companies at the beginning of their digital journey and more advanced sessions for people and companies looking to elevate their experience.
  • Networking: With a more intimate setting. you’ll have more time to build deeper connections and create more meaningful interactions with your current and future partners including distributors, tech companies, DMOs and more.
  • Location: Edinburgh, known for its stunning architecture and historic charm
  • Attendees: Approximately 400, fostering an intimate peer-to-peer learning and networking environment.
Key Differences:
  • Global vs. Regional Focus: Valencia is a global event with an international audience, while Edinburgh is a regional event focused on the UK, Ireland, and Nordic regions.
  • Event Size: Valencia hosts about 800 attendees, providing broad networking opportunities, whereas Edinburgh’s 400 attendees create a more intimate, focused environment.
  • Content and Sessions: Valencia features global themes and advanced topics, whereas Edinburgh provides region-specific insights and hands-on experiential learning.
  • Location Experience: Valencia providing a coastal escape and Edinburgh offering historic and iconic attractions.
  • Who Will Be There: The most valuable part of Arival Events is the connections you make and the partnerships you build to grow your business. At Arival | Activate Edinburgh, you’ll engage with key industry players in the UK, Ireland, and Nordic regions. If your business focus is on these areas, Edinburgh is where you need to be. For those targeting broader European or global markets, Arival 360 | Valencia offers the ideal platform to network with international leaders and innovators. 
Why attend both?

With limited opportunities for business development, learning, and networking in our industry, attending both events is a strategic move. By participating in both Edinburgh and Valencia, you maximize your exposure to diverse markets and influential contacts. 

However, if budget constraints or a specific regional focus dictate your decisions, choose the event that best aligns with your primary business goals. Join us in Edinburgh for regional insights or Valencia for global perspectives—or better yet, attend both to fully leverage the potential of Arival’s expansive network.

For service providers such as a restech or ticketing platform, distribution company, or other services including marketing, AI tools, etc., attending both gives you access to attendees from both markets to connect with your current customers and to meet new ones!

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