Startup Interview – IQPlanner Gives Bloggers Their Own Travel Shop

IQPlanner co-founder Dmitrijus Konovalovas says that traditional commerce has “moved on” and that bloggers are the new travel agents.

Editor’s Note: IQPlanner has shut down but Travel Massive is wishing the team all the best with future endeavours.

With almost 10 years in the travel sector Dmitrijus Konovalovas is a Managing Director (UK) of IQPLanner and is a member of our London Travel Massive chapter.

How did you get into the travel industry?

My journey began with a metasearch company – in 2009 I joined Skyscanner, which was a fantastic time of learnings, discovery and meeting great people.

What is IQPlanner?

IQPlanner is a space where bloggers share their recommendations with other travellers and get paid. To put it simply – it’s a marketplace of inspiring and bookable travel stories.

What is unique about your product or service?

Power back to customers was the driver to starting the website and the company. We believe that traditional ways to offer products have exhausted themselves. On our website (www.iqplanner.com) bloggers can run their of “travel shop” by putting their content up, we take care of the rest by promoting that content and adding travel services.

How is your startup changing the future of travel?

IQPlanner created a sales mechanism that did not exist before. Bloggers’ content on the site has a unique structure with multi-modal transportation, accommodation and itinerary options instead of embedded affiliate links, widgets or adverts.

Any blogger, or local expert, that has unique and inspiring content can become a “travel agent” giving people a reason to travel and a complete booking proposition.

Photo: IQPlanner information night hosted in London

What’s another travel company you admire and why?

We like companies that follow simple rules: never stop innovating, making the most of your team and are not afraid to fail. Gareth Williams (Skyscanner CEO) has been an inspiration for me for many years.

Connect with IQPlanner on Travel Massive, Twitter, and Facebook to learn more.