Qashio, recognized as the leading spend management platform in the UAE, has joined forces with Visa to host an exclusive event aimed at uniting top travel decision-makers in the region. This gathering provided a platform for senior executives from various segments of the travel ecosystem, including online travel agencies, destination management companies, and luxury hospitality brands, to engage in meaningful discussions about industry trends and insights.

The event featured keynote addresses from Brendan Noonan, a former senior executive at Emirates and Qatar Airways, who highlighted the pressing need for operational agility and secure financial flows within the aviation industry. Dr. Saeeda Jaffar, Visa’s Senior Vice President and Group Country Manager for the GCC, elaborated on Visa’s commitment to developing a seamless and secure digital payment infrastructure in collaboration with partners like Qashio.

A dynamic panel discussion titled “Technology’s Role in the Evolution of the Travel Industry” explored how digital payments, automation, and customer-centric innovations are transforming travel operations and experiences. Esteemed speakers included Aidan Dempsey, General Manager of the Ritz-Carlton RAK; Claudia Esposito, Chief Commercial Officer of Qashio; and Ganes RK, Head of Visa Commercial Solutions for the GCC.

Armin Moradi, CEO of Qashio, remarked on the event’s significance, stating that the rapid evolution of the UAE’s travel sector is closely tied to the nation’s broader digital transformation. He emphasized the necessity for businesses to adopt modern, automated spend management systems that enhance growth and resilience. Moradi noted that their partnership with Visa, known for its secure and scalable payment infrastructure, is helping the industry confidently embrace the future.

Visa’s VP and Country Manager for the UAE, Salima Gutieva, added that their collaboration with Qashio underscores Visa’s dedication to fostering innovation within the UAE’s travel and tourism sector. She explained that by merging Visa’s global payment solutions with Qashio’s tailored fintech offerings, they are enabling travel businesses to operate more effectively and scale with confidence. Such events are crucial for bringing industry leaders together to share ideas and address emerging challenges.

The event also highlighted the ongoing strategic partnership between Qashio and Visa, particularly their announcement of the Visa Commercial Choice Travel program, which aims to support travel companies across the UAE, MENA, Europe, and the UK with integrated multi-currency payment solutions.

Together, Qashio and Visa are setting a new benchmark for secure, automated, and scalable travel payments across the region and beyond.

About Qashio: Qashio is a leading spend management platform focused on optimizing expense management for businesses. It offers advanced features such as expense tracking, virtual cards, and seamless integrations, allowing companies to maintain control and visibility over their spending.