“Trust comes from listening” – Vincenzo Corrado, CEO of AIC Travel Group, in interview

Kamuno: What are the main challenges in your industry?

Vincenzo Corrado: Technology has become decisive. We have to invest continuously to offer our partners high-performing tools and remain competitive with the major market players. We also use artificial intelligence solutions in various processes, particularly for emails, operations, rates and hotel mapping. In parallel, we are expanding direct contracts with properties, especially in Geneva, to strengthen the quality of our offering and our margins. Our priority is not simply to generate more revenue: we want to build profitable growth.

Kamuno: How important is developing your own technology?

Vincenzo Corrado: It is a long-term investment and a central part of our model. We have built teams and developed valuable internal know-how. Some employees hired at the start of our journey now hold technical responsibility. That continuity allows us to keep developing our platform and handle new business volumes.

Kamuno: How has your relationship with financial partners evolved?

Vincenzo Corrado: Since Covid, the banking environment has become more cautious, especially towards tourism and internationally active companies. Even so, our industry has shown its ability to recover: 2025 was a record year for AIC. I believe assessing a company should also take into account its business model, technology investments and adaptability. That is why we cultivate relationships with different partners – banks as well as alternative finance providers – depending on their strengths and the needs of our business.

Kamuno: Why did you choose to work with Kamuno?

Vincenzo Corrado: We learned about Kamuno through an acquaintance in the insurance sector. What I liked was the team’s accessibility, the quality of the exchange and the speed with which our file was reviewed. For an entrepreneur, it is essential to deal directly with contacts who understand the company’s concerns.

Kamuno: What do you expect from a financial partner today?

Vincenzo Corrado: Responsiveness, transparency and a solid understanding of how our international business works. Compliance procedures are necessary, and I follow them. But they must go hand in hand with decisions taken within timeframes that fit companies’ day-to-day reality. Banks have an important role to play; specialised players such as Kamuno can be a useful complement.

Kamuno: What role do technology assets play in that thinking?

Vincenzo Corrado: A platform, its connections and the skills needed to run it represent real economic value, even if that value is not always easy to measure by traditional banking criteria. In online tourism, technology is a production and differentiation tool. It should be seen as an essential part of a company’s development potential.

Kamuno: What are your priorities for the coming years?

Vincenzo Corrado: We want to keep expanding our direct hotel contracts, broaden our offering and improve operational efficiency. Our infrastructure allows us to aim for a significantly higher volume, provided we continue to invest selectively in technology, teams and partnerships. We prefer controlled, profitable growth over volume at any cost.

Kamuno: How can financing solutions support that strategy?

Vincenzo Corrado: In our business, the ability to invest at the right time and mobilise resources makes commercial development and service improvement easier. It is therefore useful to have complementary partners who can offer solutions that fit the business cycle. For us, financing is one of the strategic levers.

Kamuno: Would you recommend Kamuno to other entrepreneurs?

Vincenzo Corrado: Yes, because of the quality of the human relationship, the speed of the exchange and the professionalism of the team. Trust also comes from how you listen to an entrepreneur and support them. That is the aspect I particularly appreciated.

Kamuno: How do you see the future, and what advice would you give SMEs?

Vincenzo Corrado: AIC has around 150 XML connections and a network of about 63,000 travel agencies and tour operators worldwide. We want to keep expanding this network and our collaborations, including with Kamuno. My advice to SMEs would be to choose partners who combine speed, trust and professionalism while keeping a clear eye on their long-term strategy.