The tourism industry is constantly evolving, presenting new challenges and opportunities for entrepreneurs. But when faced with the unknown, some rise to the occasion, showcasing the true spirit of leadership and innovation. One such trailblazer is Sadia Haque, Co-founder & CEO of SHARETRIP (erstwhile Travel Booking Bangladesh), who has defied the odds and established her company as a leading travel platform in Bangladesh. Starting her journey with limited experience in the travel industry, Sadia quickly adapted and established herself as a leading voice in the field. Her background in marketing, combined with her brilliant team, helped her navigate the challenges of launching an online travel agency in Bangladesh. With a strong commitment to customer satisfaction and a keen understanding of the ecosystem, Sadia has built SHARETRIP into the leading platform it is today. Sadia's journey to success is a testament to her resilience and determination. Join Women Entrepreneur Magazine as we celebrate Sadia Haque as one of Asia's inspiring women leaders. From her humble beginnings to her current status as a successful CEO, Sadia's story is one of determination, adaptability, and a never-ending commitment to making a difference.

Take us through your early educational journey and prior industry experience

My marketing skills were based primarily on telco operations. Although I knew how to engage and retain telco customers, the travel industry was relatively new to me and a challenge initially. I rose to the occasion through a combination of trial & error and collaboration with my talented marketing team. Today, we are established as the premier online travel agency in Bangladesh. Fostering meaningful relationships with key stakeholders and developing strategic partnerships were instrumental in our success. My education background includes O Levels from Maple Leaf International School and A Levels from Cephalon International School. Initially studied BBA with a double major in Marketing and Human Resources Management at North South University. However, I realized HR was not my calling and started focusing on marketing. This led to an opportunity in the Market Communication Department at Grameenphone after graduation, where I put my skills to the test and excelled.

What led you to found SHARETRIP? Tell us about the underlying idea behind establishing the company and some of its key areas of specialization.

I got married to Kashef in 2007. Despite our modest earnings, we were able to save up for our dream of taking two international trips each year and finding the best deals for flights and accommodations. Kashef's exceptional trip-planning abilities soon caught the attention of our friends, family, and beyond. This led to the inception of Travel Booking Bangladesh, fuelled by our mutual passion for travel. Kashef eventually left his job at a leading telecom company to focus fully on TBBD, while I balanced my job, family, and supporting the growth of our business. At the time, travelling in Bangladesh was tedious with a lot of legwork and a time-consuming process, making it difficult to secure good deals because you had to go through a lot of travel agents. The industry also lacked transparency and the after-sales service could leave a sour taste in your mouth. TBBD aimed to make the experience more seamless and enjoyable for travellers. This mission continues to be a priority at SHARETRIP, Bangladesh's first online travel agency, offering an array of travel services and innovative features to enhance the overall travel experience.

Enumerate the different responsibilities you shoulder at SHARETRIP. What are your primary focus areas in terms of driving the company’s growth? Tell us about the primary challenges you encountered so far.

As the Co-Founder & CEO of SHARETRIP, I am responsible for driving the company's growth and focusing on our long-term vision. I focus on partnerships and collaborations that not only improve our services but also the entire travel industry in Bangladesh. Leading our rebranding efforts and having a background in communication and PR, which helps me in our efforts. Our application has already pioneered features like automatic refunds, date changes, and cancellations in the country. My priority is to enhance the app with more features and create robust business solutions alongside online consumer services. Additionally, we aim to create the largest domestic hotel and resort inventory and elevate hidden travel experiences in Bangladesh.

"When we don’t venture out of our bubbles, we miss out on our true potential"

We regularly review customer feedback to continuously improve the travel experience and focus on the 20+ million middle-income users who are becoming more accustomed to using online services. Our current market cap is 12 percent of the entire travel market, which is expected to increase 2.5-fold by the end of next year and we hold over 50 percent market share in the online travel segment. Despite the challenges, such as resistance to change and the pandemic's impact on the travel industry, we could witness success by focusing on customer experience and being agile. We have managed to raise two rounds of investments during the pandemic and remain committed to staying ahead of the curve.

Tell us about some of the key milestones you have achieved throughout your professional journey.

 Our investment from Startup Bangladesh was a significant milestone, marking our integration into the industry as a player working towards a better future. Our goal is to build a world-class tourism industry in Bangladesh and we are proud to be at the forefront of this mission. Our recent recognition as 'Digital Commerce of the Year - 2022' at The Daily Star ICT Awards showcases our impact on the advancement of technology in Bangladesh. Our relationship with airlines is thriving as we consistently perform as top players. We are optimistic about our growth and the future ahead.

Sadia Haque, Co-Founder & CEO, Sharetrip

Sadia’s focus on strategic partnerships has led SHARETRIP to become a pioneer in the travel industry, bringing innovative solutions and services to the market. Despite facing challenges in a traditionally offline industry, Haque's commitment to enhancing the customer experience, innovating travel features, and increasing transparency in travel has earned SHARETRIP recognition as the 'Digital Commerce of the Year -2022' at The Daily Star ICT Awards.