David Chait, CEO of Travefy, is finally seeing the tech industry embrace a market he’s long championed: travel advisors. After more than a decade building technology tailored to travel professionals, Chait says there’s now a broader recognition, particularly among investors, that travel advisors form the backbone of the industry, which is a segment historically overlooked by technology developers.

Speaking at the Travel Advisor Convention in Salt Lake City, Chait explained that the shift in perception is significant. The traditional investment community, once skeptical of the growth potential in this space, is now taking notice. As a result, companies like Travefy are receiving increased interest from investors. Despite this, Travefy has taken no outside funding since 2016 and has no current plans to change that stance.

Founded in 2012, Travefy initially focused on group travel coordination but pivoted to serve travel professionals in 2016. Since then, the company has become a trusted platform among advisors by offering an all-in-one CRM that includes itinerary builders, client communication tools, website creation, and supplier integrations.

Chait emphasizes that Travefy’s success stems from its user-friendly design and ability to deliver clear value. Advisors, many of whom are solo entrepreneurs, prioritize tools that save them time and enhance efficiency. Recognizing this, Travefy is preparing to roll out new features like invoicing tools, commission tracking, improved contact management, and integrated email systems which are designed to make the advisor-client relationship smoother and more efficient.

Artificial intelligence is also becoming a cornerstone of Travefy’s innovation strategy. The company is testing tools that can convert DMC emails and PDFs into formatted quotes, along with AI systems that manage advisor communications behind the scenes. Chait stresses that AI should support advisors by automating routine tasks while enhancing their unique value.

Another important initiative is Travefy’s outreach to new travel advisors. Through partnerships with host agencies like Nexion and suppliers such as ALG Vacations, Travefy now offers discounted access, training, and support to advisors who are new to the industry. The goal is to help these newcomers gain early traction and long-term success.

Despite the evolving landscape of the travel industry, Travefy remains committed to its role as a software provider rather than entering into hosting. Chait makes it clear that Travefy’s mission is to build and maintain the technological infrastructure that empowers advisors, no matter where they are in their journey.

Looking forward, Travefy’s development roadmap will continue to be guided by user feedback and industry needs. Chait sees this customer-driven approach as essential to sustaining Travefy’s growth and relevance in a rapidly changing marketplace.

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