Travel Technology · Connectivity · Growth

From today’s signals,
I build tomorrow’s systems.

I connect product, connectivity, distribution and commercial growth in travel technology, using data, AI and experience to build stronger, scalable systems.

Rıza Kaynak
Based in TürkiyeBuilding systems for the global travel economy
01

2024–present Booking.com Global Connectivity Advisory Board · Two consecutive terms

02

15+ years Travel technology and the hospitality economy

03

Zero-to-one Building products, teams and ecosystems

04

HotelRunner From HDN Global to a journey scaled globally

What I do

Growth begins when technology, commerce, data and people move in the same direction.

I connect technical architecture with commercial reality, and data with human judgement. Durable growth in travel technology happens when the whole ecosystem, not only the product, works as one.

01

Connected Travel Systems

I design connectivity, integration architecture, distribution technology and data layers as one coherent system.

  • ARI & mapping
  • Distribution
  • Product architecture
02

Zero-to-One & Growth

I turn ambiguity into an operating product, a commercial model and sustainable growth, even in difficult markets.

  • Market entry
  • Enterprise sales
  • Business design
03

Marketplaces & Finance

I connect supply, demand, payments and commercial policy to build stronger ecosystem economics.

  • Network liquidity
  • Embedded finance
  • Commercial policy
04

Leadership & Decisions

I align teams around clear outcomes and turn data into better decisions, negotiations and execution.

  • Team motivation
  • Decision discipline
  • Strategy

Decision Intelligence

Data sets the direction.
AI expands the field of action.

Intuition is my starting point; data validates the direction. I use AI not simply as a tool for speed, but as a thinking layer that helps me evaluate more possibilities, see complex connections earlier and turn ideas into operating systems faster.

AI does not think for me; it helps me see further, learn faster and evaluate more possibilities.
01 · Sense

Capture the signals

Detect weak signals across market, customer, technology and operational data.

02 · Connect

Build the connections

Make the relationships between product, commerce, finance and ecosystem visible.

03 · Expand

Multiply the possibilities

Use AI to create scenarios, counterarguments, prototypes and alternative paths.

04 · Decide

Raise decision quality

Bring data, experience and human judgement together to make stronger decisions.

Impact

From an idea to
an operating ecosystem.

Throughout my career, I have built systems, partnerships and teams that connect technology with real market needs.

2010

The first step: HDN Global

An early venture that connected hotel inventory to digital distribution and laid the foundation for the journey ahead.

2013→

HotelRunner

The HDN Global story scaled through HotelRunner into a global travel technology platform, a strong ecosystem and a long-term growth journey.

2024→

Booking.com Global Connectivity Advisory Board

Contributing to the future of the industry since 2024, across two consecutive terms on the board.

Portrait of Rıza Kaynak

Curiosity compounds.

Personal Operating System

I do not predict the future; I read its signals and build systems prepared for it.

Curiosity helps me find the signals, data validates the direction, and AI expands the connections and possibilities I can evaluate. Experience and judgement turn them into practical decisions and operating systems.

Zero-to-one thinkingTrend huntingData-driven decisionsAI-augmented thinkingPersonal productivityEcosystem buildingDecision discipline

Writing

I sharpen my perspective
through writing.

About

“I may colour outside the lines, but I am certain I am using the right colours.”

My journey began inside a family business in Rize and continued through technology, media, entrepreneurship and the global travel economy. I still do the same thing today: find the connections that create value between seemingly complex parts.

Read my story

Professional contact

To connect and exchange perspectives on the future of travel technology.

Within the context of my role at HotelRunner and my industry experience, you can reach me on LinkedIn regarding events, speaking, industry dialogue and professional connections.

Connect on LinkedIn