Mind the margin: winning travel’s booking-to-payout gap in 2026

Travel businesses are scaling faster than ever, but growth brings a new set of challenges. As companies expand into new markets, cities and currencies, margin doesn't just disappear through major strategic risks- it often leaks away through operational complexity, fragmented systems and processes that were never designed for global scale.

In this fireside chat, Secret Food Tours will share lessons from growing an international tours business across more than 100 cities, exploring what breaks first as travel companies scale, where hidden margin erosion occurs, and how finance infrastructure can evolve from a back-office function into a strategic growth enabler.

From gaining visibility across payment flows and consolidating systems, to improving supplier relationships and freeing finance teams from manual work, this session will uncover the practical decisions that helped turn operational friction into competitive advantage. 

Expect an honest discussion on the realities of scaling globally, the lessons learned along the way, and practical advice for travel businesses looking to grow without sacrificing margin.

Session content developed and sponsored by Airwallex and by attending, you consent to your data being shared with the sponsor.