2018 as a Road Warrior !

The year is coming to an end, and I wanted to summarize some thoughts about the year that has just finished ;)))

First of all I would like to thank to my team, starting with "Zarauz" and ending with the latest trainee. We are where we are because we work well together, we are focused on what we do and want to be the best worldwide, we share a vision with our company and because empowerment is a must in a small company like ours. Thank you to everybody: Esperanza, Belén, Miguel, Irene, Marta, Fer, Arturo, Rocio, Miguel Angel, Julia, Joaquín, Rodri, Pedro, Cris, Elena, Ana, Anita, Manuela, Aitana and Edu. Of course also to the overseas team ... Mariana, Bernard, Eduardo, Ivan, Thomas, Jorge, Jeremy, Jacobo, Juanjo and Carles, Mohamad and Julia, Parmod, and of course Prashant :) etc.

It has been a great year for Smartvel. The most important milestone achieved has been to get to black figures for the whole year. As one of my investors said to me, not long ago, I belong to the old school, and being in positive EBITDA has been a priority for us. It has been a bit like a roller coaster, with a lot of stress in the first two quarters, not because of the sales that were growing up quite well (in fact, above the budget), but for the funding round. With a lot of time invested, and finally we've got it right with new and former investors being part of our adventure.

New Investors: ... so, thanks a lot to the new owners of a piece of our heart. We know that getting the trust is not easy, and that sometimes things are not so great. It is not that we will do our best, it is that we are betting the best of our lives to this trip and we are going to make it happen!

I would like also to highlight the arrangements with first class companies that are trusting us to partner with them. Thank you to Indra, IATA, Oracle, Deloitte, Amadeus, etc. Great corporations that are on the edge regarding tech and where we are very proud to be working with them in different proyects. The agreement with Pearlshare has also been key, thanks a lot to Prashant, Max, Michael, James, etc for their trust in our company.

Travelling has been a must, ITB Berlin, China, Athens, many many "Mallorcas", Colombia, Paris, Zurich, Hamburg, well ... it has been a very intensive year. Thanks a lot for your efforts and I am sure 2019 will be a great year for all of us.

And by last, but not least, thanks to our customers, with great new customers on board this year (LATAM, Iberia, Iberostar, Mahou, Singapore Airlines, etc). We share a vision together the funnel has lost ownership, and with us our customers gain momentum at the top of the funnel (inspiring), and also after the funnel (sell is done), where it seemed to everybody that being there is not easy. We are making it happen! Creating and improving digital touchpoints is our core.