Connected Travel Systems
I design connectivity, integration architecture, distribution technology and data layers as one coherent system.
- ARI & mapping
- Distribution
- Product architecture
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.
01
HotelRunner From HDN Global to a journey scaled globally
02
2024–present Booking.com Global Connectivity Advisory Board · Two consecutive terms
03
15+ years Across travel technology, hospitality economics and digital distribution
04
Zero-to-one From idea to working product, from product to scalable ecosystem
Profile summary
RIZA KAYNAK · TRAVEL TECHNOLOGYRıza Kaynak, in brief.
Rıza Kaynak is Director of Demand at HotelRunner, working across travel technology, connectivity, distribution and commercial growth. His journey began in 2010 as part of the founding team of HDN Global and has continued at HotelRunner since 2013. With more than 15 years of industry experience, he has served for two consecutive terms on the Booking.com Global Connectivity Advisory Board since 2024. His work focuses on turning ideas into operating products and products into scalable ecosystems.
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.
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
Marketplaces & Finance
I connect supply, demand, payments and commercial policy to build stronger ecosystem economics.
- Network liquidity
- Embedded finance
- Commercial policy
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.
Capture the signals
Detect weak signals across market, customer, technology and operational data.
Build the connections
Make the relationships between product, commerce, finance and ecosystem visible.
Multiply the possibilities
Use AI to create scenarios, counterarguments, prototypes and alternative paths.
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.
The first step: HDN Global
An early venture that connected hotel inventory to digital distribution and laid the foundation for the journey ahead.
HotelRunner
The HDN Global story scaled through HotelRunner into a global travel technology platform, a strong ecosystem and a long-term growth journey.
Booking.com Global Connectivity Advisory Board
Contributing to the future of the industry since 2024, across two consecutive terms on the board.
Curiosity compounds.
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 ↗