Emerging Travel Group, a global travel tech company, has appointed Astrid Kastberg as the new Managing Director of RateHawk, its B2B booking system for travel professionals. Based in Dubai, Kastberg will lead the expansion of RateHawk’s business strategy, managing a global team to support over 110,000 retail partners and more than 1,100 API partners across 120 countries.
Emerging Travel Group, which employs over 3,600 people globally, achieved a gross transaction value of $3.7 billion in 2024, with RateHawk as a major growth driver. The company operates in 80 countries, with offices in key cities including Dubai, Singapore, and London. RateHawk offers a comprehensive range of travel services, including hotel bookings, flight tickets, and car rentals, supported by a user-friendly API and 24/7 customer service.
Kastberg brings decades of experience in travel management and technology, having previously served as General Manager at Yalago, where she spearheaded international expansion efforts. Her appointment comes as RateHawk continues to experience significant growth, with its net booking value increasing by 1.8 times and a 67% rise in global bookings compared to the previous year.
Ilya Kravtsov, Chief Commercial Officer of Emerging Travel Group, remarked, “This newly introduced senior role marks a significant step in RateHawk’s continued global expansion and organisational development. Astrid is uniquely equipped to build on the momentum the team has already created and take it to the next level.”
Kastberg expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “I’m thrilled to join the ambitious team at Emerging Travel Group at such a pivotal moment. Together with the talented RateHawk team, we share a strong commitment to innovation and customer value.”
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