Global AI-first traveltech company Dida Holdings announced that Daryl Lee will take the helm as its new group CEO from 5th October.
Lee’s appointment was announced by Dida Holdings founder Rikin Wu today, 13rd September.
In an official statement, Wu declared: “Since founding Dida in 2012, our vision has been to redefine global travel distribution by blending deep partnerships with cutting-edge technology. Over the past decade, we have built an organization that is not only the leader in China but also a trusted global player. As we enter this exciting new chapter, I am proud to welcome Daryl as our Group CEO. His proven leadership, expertise and international experience will help us accelerate our mission: to bridge China and the world through smarter solutions and stronger partnerships.”
For his part, Lee remarked: “I am honoured to join Dida at such a transformative time for the company and the industry. What excites me most is Dida’s unique ability to act as a gateway for travel innovation: combining scale, speed, and AI-first technology with a global outlook. Working alongside Rikin and Dida’s experienced leadership team, I am committed to building on Dida’s remarkable success to date. Together, we will strengthen our global distribution network, expand the reach of our AI-driven solutions, and help shape the future of travel technology. Our goal is clear: to empower our partners with smarter solutions that help them grow, innovate, and thrive.”
Three pillars of growth
Even as Lee prepares to take the helm next month, Dida is well on its way to becoming a full-fledged AI-first travel tech group.
In doing so, Dida is on the fast track to bridge two worlds: the scale and innovation of China, and the diverse needs of global travel partners.
As Dida enters its next chapter, its strategy will be guided by the ethos: “Smarter solutions powering the strongest partnerships”, focusing on three strategic pillars:
- TRAVEL: Expanding and strengthening Dida’s high-value global distribution network, with a continued focus on maintaining its leadership position in China and APAC, while deepening partnerships in Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East;
- TECHNOLOGY: Dida is embedding AI into every aspect of hotel and distribution operations from performance insights, smarter sourcing, and instant onboarding to guest sentiment, marketing content, and even hotel infrastructure monitoring. Whatever a hotel needs to thrive, if AI can enhance it, Dida is committed to delivering it to partners worldwide; and
- NEW VENTURES: Investing in innovation and pursuing strategic acquisitions that accelerate growth, strengthen capabilities in emerging technologies and unlock new revenue streams.
Meet Darryl Lee
Prior to this latest appointment, Lee was the global CEO at WebBeds; and, before that, he led GTA across the Middle East as well as the Asia Pacific.
He began his career in aviation and hospitality with Singapore Airlines and earned a degree in Economics from the London School of Economics.
Lee joins Dida at a decisive moment for both the company and the wider industry as travel and hospitality are being reshaped by AI, automation, and digital connectivity and Dida is uniquely positioned at the crossroads of these transformative shifts.
His appointment reflects Dida’s ambition to strengthen its position as the premier gateway between China and the global travel ecosystem, enabling hotels, airlines, OTAs, wholesalers, and travel agencies worldwide to access both the world’s largest outbound market and the most advanced AI-driven technologies.
