The travel tech industry is one of the most exciting and dynamic spaces to be in, full of rapid innovation and fierce competition. In such an environment, strong and effective leadership is essential to steer companies towards success. While the dynamics of the industry demand leaders to be effective and efficient, they must be proficient with the latest tech advancements and be innovative to thrive amid the high competition.
When we speak of modern leaders in the travel tech industry, Dr. Irvan Bastian Arief (VP of Data Science, Machine Learning Engineering, Tech Infrastructure, and Information Security at tiket.com) stands out with his unique leadership philosophy that prioritizes continuous learning, innovation, and a supportive environment where his team can thrive. He leverages his technical expertise with strong communication skills to translate complex concepts into actionable strategies, making him a transformational leader in the travel technology industry.
A Brief Timeline of Dr. Irvan’s Professional Journey
Dr. Irvan previously worked at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSMC) in Taiwan, a Fortune Global 500 and one of the largest semiconductor manufacturing companies worldwide, where he learned about best practices in quality, discipline, and precise processes. For instance, if a production system was down for just 5-10 minutes, it could lose up to a million dollars in revenue due to the high stakes of semiconductor manufacturing. The company emphasized detailed documentation and coding standards, ensuring engineers understood concepts like memory leaks and code modifications without causing system issues. He and his colleagues watched training videos for the first two weeks to become highly disciplined and knowledgeable engineers.
Dr. Irvan’s experiences at TSMC shaped him into a strong engineer. Subsequently, he was promoted to an integrated engineer (senior), where he gained expertise in technical aspects and business and managerial skills. He recognized the importance of communication skills and understanding data, prompting him to pursue a Master of Business Information Systems (Professional) from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, where he honed his ability to communicate with technical and non-technical stakeholders, using data to support business decisions, and applied these skills in his next role at General Electric (GE Capital) in Melbourne.
He combined his technical knowledge with business acumen, explaining complex concepts in simple terms, a rare ability in his industry that helped him become a respective leader in his organization.
Around 2013, Dr. Irvan grew interested in artificial intelligence and machine learning, and his passion for teaching and sharing knowledge led him to discuss AI’s potential business applications with colleagues and professors. They concluded that to become an expert in AI and ML, one should pursue academic credentials, such as a Doctorate Degree (PhD). Dr. Irvan began his PhD in Computer Science, specializing in AI and ML. He received triple scholarships from the government and organizations, focusing on data and AI. In 2017, he presented his machine learning model at a prestigious conference, the ACM International Conference on Systems for Energy-Efficient Built Environments, in the Netherlands.
This exposure reinforced his expertise and ability to communicate complex technical information to a broader audience, including professors and industry practitioners. After completing his PhD, Dr. Irvan joined Aurecon in Melbourne, furthering his career by combining technical skills with business insights. Eventually, he decided to contribute to the growing Indonesian tech ecosystem. Recognizing Indonesia’s potential as the world’s fourth-largest country by population, he aimed to leverage AI to drive business growth.
Awards and Recognitions
Outside the professional setting, Dr Irvan is also active in the community. Together with his group of friends, they created “Act of Translation”, an onstage drama sharing the struggle of international students in front of live audiences for more than 1 hour. Act of Translation ran for six times in different venues such as RMIT University and Melbourne Immigration Museum and won the state-level Community Innovation Award 2018 – Victorian Multicultural Awards for Excellence, presented in person by Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp.
In 2019, Dr. Irvan became a leader at Tokopedia, one of Indonesia’s tech unicorns (company valued at over US$1 billion). He implemented AI and ML to enhance business performance, achieving significant milestones such as helping to increase the company’s gross merchandise value (GMV), equivalent to 1.5% of the country’s GDP. He also established an AI center in collaboration with the University of Indonesia, fostering AI and ML initiatives within the community, academician and the industry. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 highlighted the need for strong leadership in the travel industry.
Dr. Irvan joined tiket.com, where he led various initiatives to adapt to the changing landscape. His efforts earned him several accolades, including the Australian Alumni of the Year (The Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award) in 2020 and the Outstanding Taiwan Alumni of the Year award in 2022. “Alumni Awards are the most distinguished honours given to Australian alumni who have made exemplary contributions in their profession and community through outstanding leadership, integrity and hard work”, said Australia’s Ambassador to Indonesia, Gary Quinlan, during the award ceremony in 2020.
In recent years, Dr. Irvan has become widely recognized as a leading figure in the fields of AI, ML, and Generative AI in this region. In 2023, he was recognized by Foundry (The publisher of several of the most prestigious IT-related magazines, such as PCWorld, Macworld, InfoWorld, Computerworld, and TechAdvisor,) in the CIO100 Awards in Southeast Asia and Hong Kong as the Next CIO for his accomplishments. At the same year, Dr Irvan got the “Hungry & Performance Driven Award” by the company, showing his strong growth mindset and continuous drive to create value and impact.
Over the past four years in the organization, Dr. Irvan has continued to grow professionally. He is now the Vice President of Data Science, Machine Learning Engineering, Tech Infrastructure, and Information Security at tiket.com. In 2024, he won the esteemed World CIO 200 Summit Awards in the master category, organized by the Global CIO Forum and GEC Media Group. His journey from a technical engineer to a business-savvy leader demonstrates his commitment to leveraging AI and ML to drive business success and contribute to technological advancements in Indonesia and Southeast Asia.
Rising Up to the Ranks
As a technical leader, Dr. Irvan understands the importance of deep technical knowledge. He holds a PhD and excels in his field. However, he also recognizes the need to communicate complex technical concepts effectively to diverse audiences. Communicating technical details to non-technical audiences is challenging but crucial for successful leadership. One of Dr. Irvan’s strengths, as acknowledged by the Board of Directors at tiket.com, is his ability to convey complex information in a simple, understandable manner. This skill makes him proud, as it enables productive discussions across various levels of the company.
Moreover, Dr. Irvan’s ability to simplify technical concepts stems from his extensive educational background, including a Master’s degree in Business Information Systems and a PhD in a very technical domain such as Computer Science. These experiences have honed his communication skills, allowing him to engage with people at multiple levels and backgrounds effectively. Dr. Irvan believes in addressing problems from their root causes rather than just managing symptoms.
He uses the example of coughing during COVID-19 time to illustrate this point: treating a cough with cough medicine addresses the symptom, not the underlying issue. By identifying and fixing the root cause, such as proper treatment of the COVID virus itself, the problem is resolved more effectively. Many people focus on treating symptoms, leading to recurring issues. Essentially, Dr. Irvan’s approach ensures long-term solutions by addressing the root causes of problems. At the helm of tiket.com, he spearheads the team with a vision to take the company to greater heights.
The Most Loved OTA and Lifestyle App
tiket.com is the pioneer online travel agent (OTA) in Indonesia and one of the largest in Southeast Asia. Established in 2011, the company has grown significantly over the past 13 years, becoming a strong and influential player in the travel industry. The company’s offerings include various services such as flights, hotels, villas, attractions, concerts, trains, bus services, ferries, and airport transfers. Essentially, tiket.com covers all modes of transportation, making it a comprehensive platform for travel and entertainment needs. The company’s app has been installed on over 50 million devices globally, indicating its widespread usage and popularity among travelers.
The company’s journey from its inception in 2011 to becoming a leading OTA in Southeast Asia is marked by continuous growth and diversification. Its comprehensive range of travel services, significant user base, and commitment to diversity have positioned it as a strong player in the travel industry. With over 1,200 employees, tiket.com is a large and diverse organization. It operates numerous offices worldwide, reflecting its global presence.
Diversity is a core value for the company, with a team comprising members from more than ten nationalities, including personnel from Indonesia, Singapore, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Malaysia. Its team members’ diverse locations and backgrounds contribute to the company’s strength and growth. tiket.com believes that having a diverse team enhances its ability to serve a global customer base. The company thrives by embracing different perspectives and fostering an inclusive work environment.
Standing Out in the Competitive Landscape
tiket.com, under a leadership team including Dr. Irvan, is an all-in-one travel platform offering flights, ferries, hotels, and more. Unlike competitors focused on single sectors, tiket.com integrates various services through advanced technology, particularly AI. Previously, hotel rankings were basic. Now, AI personalizes them based on user preferences. Budget-conscious travelers see affordable options, while luxury seekers get high-end selections.
Looking beyond booking, tiket.com is piloting an itinerary planning feature powered by AI. This virtual assistant suggests points of interest like museums or landmarks, creating a well-rounded travel experience. This focus on personalization and AI-driven discovery transforms tiket.com from a transaction platform to a comprehensive travel companion.
A Leadership Philosophy Centered Around Nurturing and Developing
Dr. Irvan’s leadership philosophy is centered around nurturing and developing his team. “For me, leadership is about nurturing and bringing out the best in every team member,” he says. This involves creating a safe and supportive environment where team members feel encouraged to explore, experiment, and even fail. Dr. Irvan believes that failure is a critical part of the learning process. “Success is sweet, but failure offers wisdom. We often learn more from our mistakes than our victories.”
He likes the balance of success and failure analogous to black and white keys on a piano, able to create harmonious music. “Success and failure together create harmony. Both are necessary for personal and professional growth,” Dr. Irvan explains. This philosophy ensures that the company culture at tiket.com is one where innovation is encouraged and supported.
Dr. Irvan’s approach to leadership and innovation has positioned tiket.com as a leader in the travel industry, offering unparalleled service and personalized experiences. His vision of integrating advanced technology with a customer-centric approach has set a new standard for what a travel service company can achieve.
Leveraging AI and ML for Continuous Innovations
As a seasoned leader, Dr. Irvan strongly advocates for AI and machine learning, a journey he began exploring in 2014. Ten years ago, during the peak of his productivity, he started his PhD in this domain, recognizing it as a significant game-changer. His enthusiasm for AI/ML has only grown over the years, particularly with the advent of generative AI and large language models (LLMs). This technological progress excites him as much as the introduction of the graphical user interface (GUI) did years ago.
Before the GUI, all interactions with computers were text-based. The GUI revolutionized how people interacted with computers, making it more accessible and user-friendly. Similarly, generative AI now allows us to effortlessly create various types of content, such as text, images, and videos. This capability, Dr. Irvan believes, will bring tremendous value to the company and humanity as a whole.
Additionally, Dr. Irvan foresees a future where these technologies become the norm. He encourages everyone to learn and become proficient in this domain, emphasizing that professionals who leverage AI will outperform those who do not. He believes that embracing AI will make individuals more productive and better professionals, ultimately enhancing their personal and professional lives.
Pearls of Wisdom for Aspirants
Dr Irvan’s perspective on technology and lifelong learning is rooted in his professional journey and experiences. As he reflects on the rapid pace of technological advancement, he emphasizes the importance of staying humble and constantly learning. “The technology is evolving very fast,” he often says, acknowledging the challenges in keeping up with every development. For Dr. Irvan, continuous learning is the key to thriving in this fast-paced environment. He believes that no one can understand everything; thus, maintaining a lifelong learner’s mindset is crucial. This is proven as Dr Irvan is a polyglot, able to converse and write in four different languages fluently, including Mandarin Chinese, English, Javanese, and Indonesian.
Dr. Irvan recalls advice from a mentor, which deeply resonated with him: “Always have the heart of a student to learn and the heart of a teacher to share.” This philosophy, he believes, is fundamental to fostering a growth mindset. It encourages curiosity and a willingness to explore new ideas and concepts. This approach has been instrumental in driving innovation and adaptability for the company. Mistakes and failures, Dr. Irvan asserts, should not be feared but celebrated.
“Even failure needs to be celebrated,” he insists. According to him, making mistakes is a normal part of the learning process. Dr. Irvan often shares his success stories but is equally open about his failures. He believes that these experiences, both positive and negative, have shaped who he is today and strengthened his resolve.
tiket.com’s culture reflects Dr. Irvan’s belief in continuous improvement. He encourages his team to keep learning and evolving, which is essential for personal and professional growth. “If you continue learning and improving, you can become the best version of yourself,” he says. Dr. Irvan is convinced that this mindset can help everyone become stronger and contribute to making the world a better place. Dr. Irvan’s leadership demonstrates the power of resilience and the importance of a growth mindset.
He shares numerous highlights from his career, emphasizing triumphs and setbacks that remind him that success is often built on a foundation of perseverance and constant development. Dr. Irvan’s professional path has not been without its challenges. He has faced numerous obstacles, but his ability to learn from each experience has driven his success. He believes the willingness to learn and adapt sets successful individuals and companies apart.
In the early days of his career, Dr. Irvan faced many uncertainties. However, his dedication to learning and open-minded approach helped him navigate difficult times. He recalls how, in one instance, a major project failed to deliver the expected results. Instead of seeing it as a setback, Dr. Irvan viewed it as a learning opportunity. This experience taught him valuable lessons about project management and risk mitigation. His commitment to lifelong learning deeply influences Dr. Irvan’s leadership style.
He fosters an environment where team members are encouraged to share knowledge and learn from each other. This collaborative approach not only enhances the skills of individuals but also strengthens the company as a whole. One of Dr. Irvan’s favorite quotes he often shares with his team is: Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts, substantiating his belief that perseverance and a willingness to keep learning are critical to long-term success.
