Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Languages
Timeline
Generic
Gunilla Krebs

Gunilla Krebs

Berlin

Summary

Specializing in Business Development, Business Strategies, Team Leadership, and successful sales processes, I am an accomplished Global Travel Strategy Leader and visionary founder of Gunilla Krebs Consulting. With a proven track record spanning over 15 years in the international travel industry, I excel in optimizing companies' strategies and processes. My expertise includes architecting strategic partnerships, engineering innovative marketing services, and championing the adoption of cutting-edge SaaS solutions. Leveraging my extensive know-how and international network, I enjoy sharing my expertise to grow businesses and cultivate long-lasting relationships within the travel technology sector.

Overview

23
23
years of professional experience

Work History

Business Consultant

GK Consulting
05.2023 - Current
  • Sales & Marketing: Adept at creating and executing effective sales and marketing strategies, driving revenue growth, and fostering strong customer relationships
  • Business Strategy: Skilled in developing and implementing strategic plans to achieve organizational objectives and maintain a competitive edge
  • International Sales: Possesses extensive experience in managing and expanding sales operations in global markets, successfully navigating cross-cultural differences
  • Provided reporting for forecast analysis and ad-hoc reporting in support of decision-making.
  • Negotiation: Proven track record in negotiating favorable contracts and agreements with partners, suppliers, and clients
  • Business Development: Expertise in identifying and capitalizing on new business opportunities, fostering sustainable growth and driving market expansion
  • Analytical Skills: Proficient in analyzing complex data, market trends, and performance metrics to inform decision-making and optimize business outcomes
  • Business-to-Business (B2B): Experienced in building and maintaining robust relationships with business partners, suppliers, and clients in the B2B space
  • Strategic Planning: Excels in developing and executing strategic plans, aligning resources, and driving organizational success
  • Actively seeks opportunities to contribute to organizational growth and welcomes connections to discuss how to add value to teams.

CGO / Chief Growth Officer

DS Destination Solutions, An HRS GROUP
05.2021 - 04.2023
  • Destination Solutions - Leading SaaS Company with an advanced Property and Channel Management
  • System for Vacation Rental Distribution in Europe
  • As former Chief Growth Officer, championed Strategic Partnerships, Support, Marketing Services, and
  • Business Intelligence initiatives
  • Cultivated collaborative relationships with tourism associations, agencies, private landlords, tour operators, and tourism sourcing partners
  • Pioneered the delivery of customized technological solutions to optimize online marketing of vacation rentals
  • Orchestrated the maintenance and expansion of the distribution network, spanning major global booking platforms like vrbo/Fewo-direkt, Booking.com, Airbnb, and Holidu
  • Directed regional sales channels, metasearch portals, and specialized interest channels to amplify distribution reach and maximize revenue potential.
  • Championed innovation within the organization by fostering an environment that encourages idea generation from all levels of the workforce.

Vice President EMEA

Gunilla Krebs
11.2016 - 10.2020
  • As a former member of the ClickTripz team at a travel technology company, played a pivotal role in developing innovative software solutions for suppliers, publishers, advertisers, and travelers
  • Leveraged a proprietary ad serving platform to streamline connections between advertisers, travelers, and publishers
  • Enabled advertisers to place precise bids against each publisher while ensuring optimal compensation for publishers
  • Pioneered the simplification of price comparison for travelers, enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the process
  • Championed and executed global advertising campaigns, achieving an impressive 45% growth rate
  • Head of Global Corporate Travel - Strategic Partnerships
  • Resolved problems, improved operations and provided exceptional service.

Regional Manager EMEA

Booking.com
05.2015 - 10.2016
  • Helmed an international team at, , concentrating on the expansion of the managed business travel channel
  • Placed a strong emphasis on nurturing a highly motivated team and developing strategic partnerships within the B2B sector
  • Pioneered the use of cutting-edge technologies to maximize partner performance and enhance booking process efficiency
  • Drove substantial revenue growth through the implementation of ROI-driven strategies and the introduction of innovative approaches
  • EMEA - Strategic Partnerships
  • Secured key accounts with customized sales presentations showcasing unique value propositions tailored to prospective clients'' needs.

Area Manager Europe

Booking.com
05.2012 - 04.2015
  • Played a crucial role in identifying key channels and traffic drivers in global markets, spearheading negotiations for commercial agreements with strategic partners
  • Owned and executed the OPM (Online Partner Marketing) strategy, encompassing budgeting, technical
  • XML integration, and product launches across various OPM channels
  • Cultivated and maintained daily communication and brand PR with international key partners, including network affiliates and meta-search partnerships
  • Closely monitored and optimized channel performance, diligently tracking trading results, products sold, and ROI
  • Led and managed a high-performing global team of executives and managers, overseeing recruitment and training efforts
  • Successfully negotiated, launched, and managed display campaigns on meta-search sites and their networks
  • Collaborated cross-functionally with headquarters, regional and other teams nationally to maintain consistent message and experience.
  • Delivered recommendations to long-term accounts to promote brand awareness to key audience.
  • Adeptly managed IT developments for affiliate and meta-search campaigns, demonstrating strong project management skills.
  • Located, developed, and promoted talented employees to cultivate collaborative and hardworking leadership team.

Area Manager Central Europe

Booking.com
01.2009 - 01.2012
  • Led a dynamic team of 15+ online Marketing & Sales professionals as the Area Manager for Central
  • Europe, inspiring and guiding them to success
  • Pioneered the identification, proposal, and successful acquisition of key strategic partners within the
  • Central European online travel and e-commerce sector
  • Forged global agreements with major airlines, OTAs (Online Travel Agencies), Price Comparison Sites, and Mobile Providers, fostering long-lasting and prosperous partnerships.
  • Facilitated conflict resolution among team members, promoting open communication and fostering a positive workplace culture.
  • Directed workforce planning, customer retention, and customer service management for multiple locations.

Area Manager Distribution

Booking.com
02.2007 - 12.2008
  • Commanded the German market across three marketing channels: affiliates, white-label partnerships, and
  • Optimized affiliate network campaigns and white-label partnerships to maximize ROI and cultivate a strong brand presence in the German market
  • Mentored junior staff members, providing guidance on best practices and professional development opportunities.
  • Strategically forged new partnerships and nurtured brand loyalty, successfully expanding the company's footprint in the region
  • Adeptly renegotiated commercial agreements with strategic partners, securing favorable terms and enhancing revenue streams
  • Proficiently identified, negotiated, and established new contracts, driving business growth and solidifying the company's position in the German market.

Key Account Manager - Corporate Sales

Booking.com
01.2006 - 01.2007
  • Led the development and execution of a novel Sales and B2B strategy, achieving an impressive 42% annual increase in B2B revenue
  • Championed cross-functional collaboration to elevate internal awareness of the significance of B2B channels, emphasizing the TMC distribution channel and introducing efficient account management principles
  • Expertly managed a portfolio of key accounts, ensuring the continuous nurturing and growth of crucial business relationships
  • Successfully navigated changing travel policy dynamics by fostering strong relationships with existing accounts and skillfully negotiating commercial agreements to protect yield.
  • Built and maintained strong client relationships to drive business growth.

Key Account Manager

Affiliates, Tourismarketing GmbH
06.2001 - 04.2003
  • Championed affiliate programs and fostered strong partnerships with affiliate networks and publishers, driving growth and success in the affiliate marketing domain
  • Critically evaluated the overall affiliate strategy, aligning it with other online marketing initiatives to ensure a cohesive and effective approach
  • Adroitly negotiated new contracts with affiliate networks, bolstering partnerships and enhancing overall performance
  • Spearheaded project management for the launch and development of performance channels, leading the exploration and implementation of CPA marketing activities
  • Successfully pursued new business development opportunities, catering to both existing and new clients within the affiliate marketing space to fuel growth and expansion
  • Built diverse and consistent sales portfolio.

Education

Economist Diploma - Marketing Communication

Verwaltungs- Und Wirtschaftskademie
Berlin

High Potential Certificate, High Potential Program of Booking -

TSM Business School Amsterdam, und Wirtschaftsakademie Berlin
2011

Economist Diploma - Marketing

Freie Universität Berlin
2002

Diploma - Business Studies

2000

Skills

  • Business Development
  • Business Strategy
  • Team Leadership
  • Sales Processes
  • Cultural Awareness
  • Analytical and Critical Thinking

Languages

German
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
English
Advanced (C1)
French
Elementary (A2)
Spanish
Beginner (A1)

Timeline

Business Consultant

GK Consulting
05.2023 - Current

CGO / Chief Growth Officer

DS Destination Solutions, An HRS GROUP
05.2021 - 04.2023

Vice President EMEA

Gunilla Krebs
11.2016 - 10.2020

Regional Manager EMEA

Booking.com
05.2015 - 10.2016

Area Manager Europe

Booking.com
05.2012 - 04.2015

Area Manager Central Europe

Booking.com
01.2009 - 01.2012

Area Manager Distribution

Booking.com
02.2007 - 12.2008

Key Account Manager - Corporate Sales

Booking.com
01.2006 - 01.2007

Key Account Manager

Affiliates, Tourismarketing GmbH
06.2001 - 04.2003

Economist Diploma - Marketing Communication

Verwaltungs- Und Wirtschaftskademie

High Potential Certificate, High Potential Program of Booking -

TSM Business School Amsterdam, und Wirtschaftsakademie Berlin

Economist Diploma - Marketing

Freie Universität Berlin

Diploma - Business Studies

Gunilla Krebs