In a field like corporate travel and travel management, leaders like Aubrey Heldt are rare to find. He has spent years working across the sector, offering his expertise in travel management. In our interview with Aubrey, he talks about the growth of the travel sector, his journey as a leader, and how technology is bringing a huge change.
Aubrey currently leads as the Managing Director at HTMC by Hariom Travels, where he strengthens the company’s travel portfolio, and builds sustainable relationships, ensuring excellence in service. As a leader in this field, Aubrey’s focus is clear: “Elevating the travel experience through innovation, operational excellence, and lasting client relationships.
Evolution of Aubrey Heldt’s Journey
We started the interview by asking, “Could you please share about your journey and your current role?”
Aubrey shared, “I began my professional journey in the travel industry with Kanoo Travel, a part of YBA Kanoo, where I learned to combine strategic leadership with customer-centric service on a global scale. Working at a well-established regional organization like Kanoo gave me invaluable exposure to the foundations of corporate travel and tourism.
Starting out, I focused on understanding the operational side of the business — client servicing, travel management solutions, and the day-to-day mechanics that keep corporate travel running seamlessly. That hands-on experience shaped my approach to leadership and reinforced the importance of service excellence, strong relationships, and adaptability in an ever-evolving industry.
Today, as the Managing Director of HTMC by Hariom Travels, I oversee the company’s overall strategy, operations, and growth initiatives. My role focuses on strengthening our corporate travel portfolio, building long-term client relationships, and ensuring service excellence across all touchpoints. From business development, financial performance, supplier partnerships, to team leadership, I work closely with our management team to drive efficiency, innovation, and sustainable growth.
A key part of my responsibility is positioning HTMC by Hariom Travels as a trusted travel management partner by combining personalized service with modern travel solutions and technology.
In addition as a member of the Middle East and Africa Advisory Board of Uniglobe, our Global Travel Network Partner, I ensure to bridge local realities with global standards to deliver safer, compliant and cost effective travel and turn regional complexity into a competitive advantage for clients and the network.”
Offerings at HTMC by Hariom Travels
We then asked, “What are the unique offerings of your business and how does it stay ahead of the curve?
Aubrey mentioned, “At HTMC by Hariom Travels, we go beyond just booking travel; rather, we deliver fully integrated travel management solutions tailored to each client’s needs. From corporate travel and MICE management to visa support, our focus is on efficiency, transparency, and seamless execution.
What differentiates us is our client-centric approach, strong global partnerships, and commitment to service excellence. We combine advanced reporting and cost-control tools with personalized attention to ensure every journey is smooth, strategic, and value-driven. In a rapidly evolving travel landscape, our mission is to be a trusted partner that empowers businesses and travelers with reliability, innovation, and peace of mind.”
Embracing Innovation and Growth
Nowadays, AI is everywhere, and even businesses are increasingly adapting to it. To learn Aubrey Heldt’s perspective on this, we asked him, “Can you share your thoughts on AI and its rising influence?”
“Artificial Intelligence is reshaping the travel and travel management sector. At HTMC by Hariom Travels, we have adapted to this advancement as a powerful enabler, not a replacement for human expertise.
AI enhances personalization by analyzing traveler preferences, booking patterns, and spending behavior to deliver smarter recommendations. From strengthening operational efficiency through automated bookings, predictive pricing insights, expense tracking, to real-time reporting, AI-driven data analytics improves policy compliance, cost optimization, and traveler risk management. Moreover, AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants are transforming customer service by providing 24/7 support and instant responses, while predictive tools help anticipate disruptions before they impact travelers.
However, in the corporate travel sector, relationships and trust remain central. The true impact of AI lies in combining technology with human insight, creating faster, smarter, and more seamless travel experiences while maintaining personalized service and strategic oversight,” he explained.
Looking Ahead to the Growth of Travel Management
To learn more about the growth of the travel industry in the coming years, we asked Aubrey Heldt to share his view on the same.
Aubrey reflected, “The travel industry is entering a phase defined by smarter personalization, heightened flexibility, and data-driven decision-making. In the next few years, I expect three major trends to shape the sector. First will be hyper-personalized experiences, where travelers will increasingly expect tailored itineraries, dynamic pricing, and AI-assisted recommendations that reflect their preferences, behaviors, and purpose of travel – whether corporate or leisure.
Additionally, we can expect integrated technology ecosystems which will streamline bookings, enhance risk management, and enable more efficient corporate travel programs. Finally, sustainability and responsible travel will be the key elements in the transformation. Environmental and social considerations will become core to travel planning, with companies and travelers alike prioritizing green options and ethical partners.
Overall, the industry is rapidly shifting toward a more agile, intelligent, and customer-centric model.”
Message to Aspiring Professionals
Lastly, addressing the beginners in this field, we asked Aubrey Heldt to share a few words of wisdom that could help them navigate through the industry.
“My advice to aspiring entrepreneurs and professionals is simple: focus on value before visibility. Build something meaningful, solve real problems, and let impact drive growth. Develop resilience, as it will help you in dealing with any kind of challenges. Also, success is rarely built alone, so build strong partnerships, trust, and reputation, which are long-term assets that no technology can replace. And, embrace innovative solutions while leading with integrity. With discipline, purpose, and the courage to grow, you will definitely create an impact,” Aubrey shared.
Connect with Aubrey Heldt on LinkedIn to gain industry insights.
Find HTMC by Hariom Travels on LinkedIn and visit their website to learn more.
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