Jovago founder and former MD Marek Zmyslowski, current Nigeria MD, Kushal Dutta, and current global CEO, Paul Midy
I was at Jovago’s annual stakeholder meeting yesterday, where almost nothing of interest was said, if you aren’t a hospitality wonk. I’m still not quite sure why I went.
I did hear one interesting thing though. According to global CEO, Paul Midy, Jovago is apparently investing in developing hotel channel and property management software solutions for the hotels on its network. Very sensible long term strategy.
"This year, we are making greater investments in technology such as the Extranet.' – Paul Midy, CEO Jovago pic.twitter.com/wZaCfBTlv5
— Jumia Travel Nigeria (@jumiatravelNG) March 1, 2016
That sounds a lot like where HotelOga, the hotel SaaS company that Marek Zmsylowski, Jovago’s former Nigeria MD launched last month is headed.
:))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) https://t.co/0m1HTftIm1
— Marek Zmyslowski (@marekchinedu) March 1, 2016
No wonder Jovago is pissed.
Marek for his part went on to publish a series of tweets which essentially say that Jovago wasn’t planning on exploring hotel software while he was there, and they were actually validating his plans. He’s also not afraid of going head to head with Rocket, because software is not one the German clone factory’s core competences.
(2) There were no plans to launch it such product while I was there.
— Marek Zmyslowski (@marekchinedu) March 1, 2016
(3) Their move only validates my plans.
— Marek Zmyslowski (@marekchinedu) March 1, 2016
(4) Me and Femi are not worried 🙂 Rocket was never able to build any decent advanced software based product/venture.
— Marek Zmyslowski (@marekchinedu) March 1, 2016
Rocket was never able to build any decent advanced software based product/venture
In any case, Marek isn’t the Frenchman’s only problem. Femi Akinde’s Slimtrader is in this exact same business as well. Grab your popcorn.
And what about Hotels.ng’s Mark Essien? He seems to be staying blissfully above the fray. For now.
PS: I’ve been writing a daily newsletter for the past two weeks now, it’s like being inside my brain from Monday through Friday. Well, not exactly. But you should subscribe.
