Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Travel & Tourism

About the role

1XL Tourism is building a high‑growth travel and tourism platform in the UAE. The company seeks a visionary Chief Executive Officer to lead the business from the ground up, shape strategy, and drive aggressive B2B and B2C growth toward an AED 100M revenue target.

Key responsibilities

• Design and execute 90‑day, Year‑1 and Year‑2 growth plans across outbound, corporate/MICE and inbound travel.
• Build and manage B2B networks (agents, DMCs, corporates, OTAs, airlines, hotels) and direct‑to‑consumer sales channels.
• Develop product portfolios, pricing, booking and reservation technology stacks, and secure supplier contracts.
• Recruit, lead and mentor the founding cross‑functional team (sales, operations, marketing, finance) and establish SOPs.
• Hold full P&L and cash‑flow accountability, oversee licensing, banking relationships and compliance.
• Drive performance marketing, brand positioning and online reputation management.

Required profile

• 8–12+ years in travel, tourism or hospitality, with 3–5+ years in a P&L‑owning leadership role (CEO, GM, Country Manager, Commercial Director).
• Proven track record scaling revenue in the UAE/GCC travel sector, preferably from a startup or low‑base operation.
• Extensive network with airlines, hotels, DMCs and key travel trade players.
• Entrepreneurial “builder” mindset, adaptable and able to create systems, teams and processes from scratch.
• Fluent English; Arabic, Hindi or other source‑market languages are a strong plus.
• Eligible for UAE residency and legal appointment as Manager/Signatory on the trade license.

Required skills

• Strategic planning and execution
• Commercial network development
• Product and operations design for travel services
• P&L management and financial governance
• Performance marketing and brand management

What we offer

• Full strategic and operational autonomy to build a business to AED 100M.
• Direct impact working with the owner on vision, culture and portfolio.
• High visibility leadership role within a fast‑growing regional tourism venture.