Kayak.com has announced the appointment of Faisal Galaria to the role of Managing Director, Europe and Asia.Galaria brings with him extensive international business and corporate development experience, acquired within entertainment, technology and telecommunications markets with high-profile companies such as Skype, FON and Jaman.

Based in London, Galaria is responsible for growing the footprint for Kayak.com across Europe and Asia.  He is charged with building and managing Kayak.com’s international business development. This team will focus on adding new travel providers including airlines, hotels, rental car companies and online travel agencies to Kayak.com’s comprehensive search.  Galaria will also look to drive more traffic to Kayak.com’s European and Indian sites, through strategic partnerships with leading international brands.  Galaria will report directly to Steve Hafner, CEO and Co-founder of Kayak.com and will work alongside Keith Melnick, EVP of Corporate Development.

 

Prior to joining Kayak.com, Galaria was General Manager and VP Corporate Development for Jaman.com, an online high-definition movie service based in California. At Jaman, Galaria forged groundbreaking partnerships with TiVo and Hollywood studios including Lionsgate and Paramount Pictures.

 

While at Skype, Galaria was responsible for initiating global partnerships with companies including Sony, Bebo, HP, Dixons.co.uk and McAfee. Following Skype’s investment in FON, Faisal became FON’s Vice President of Global Business Development, responsible for partnerships with British Telecommunications (BT) in the UK and Time Warner in the U.S.

 

Announcing this appointment, Hafner said, “I’m delighted that Faisal is joining the Kayak.com team.  His experience in international business development across several industries will help us gain market share for our websites in the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and India. With Faisal on board, we can build an experienced team in Europe to facilitate and manage relationships with travel providers and strategic partnerships beyond the travel industry with leading global brands.”

 

Galaria added, “Kayak.com is one of the most exciting companies in the online travel industry.  They have built a world-class ensemble of talent and created a company and a product with the most compelling travel search experience.  I am thrilled to have the opportunity to join this team and help extend its worldwide leadership position in new markets in addition to growing our market share in existing territories.”
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