At the WIT Conference last year in Singapore, we recognised 11 individuals whom we felt have had the most influence on the development of online travel in Asia Pacific; 

As one of the first APAC-based heads for Priceline Group, Adrian Currie was part of the early tribe that shaped and influenced the evolution of online travel in the region.

He championed the group’s interests in APAC, at a time when it wasn’t very well known, and he brought his sure and steady influence to the business as it grew. Each year, he brought his experience and expertise to WIT conferences and, from the start, maintained there shouldn’t be a divide between online and offline travel but there should just be this one world of travel.

Today, as senior vice president of corporate development of the Priceline Group, he is focused on M&A and investments in APAC. The group has invested around $5 billion in corporate development over last two years and these investments have ranged from $1billion+ public market takeovers to $1million+ investments in private, high-growth companies.

Adrian Currie: I’d like to bring a few more investments into the group from APAC.

Q: Tell us your first memory of the Internet and what your thinking was at the time.

I’m not sure it’s my first experience of the Internet but my most abiding memory of the ‘90’s is using a dial-up modem to connect to the Internet and to email. Switching on the device, hitting dial, listening to what seemed like an eternity of screeching and pinging noises, and watching the lights flashing endlessly, just to get a very slow internet connection. Oh and being cut off at random intervals too! Nonetheless, the potential transformations of communications, content and collaboration by the Internet were huge.

Q: Do you recall your first email? Who was it to?

My first memory of e-communications outside a work network was when I was doing my MBA at London Business School. The Internet was a great way to keep in touch with classmates, to access research, books and case studies, and to share information. In particular, it made collaborating on team projects so much easier with your study group colleagues who were often away from campus with work and home trips.

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