cto travel

SERVING THE WORLD'S MOST IMPORTANT CUSTOMER

with seamless and innovative travel solutions

FIND TRAVEL OFFICE

Please choose your government branch or enter your agency, organization, unit number or duty session name in the form field below. We will direct your inquiry to the correct travel office page for further action.

Office Search Results

• Destinations
• For Agencies

Our goal is to provide the highest quality services to make your clients fall in love with Russia.

Whether you are looking to get the most out of a tight budget or prefer premium luxury when discovering Russia, Olta Travel will be your perfect partner.

Let us make your tour to Russia a memorable experience, so you can enjoy a worry-free journey!

• FROM BIG GROUPS TO INDIVIDUALS: we craft a tailored offer for almost any budget, thanks to our distributed network of trusted partners, direct connections with service providers and our own profound knowledge of destinations in Russia. 
• TOP SERVICE GUARANTEE:  We take care of everything to secure travelers’ satisfaction and are prepared to deal with unexpected issues should they arise.
• COMFORTABLE PRICING:  Olta Travel keeps the cost of discovering Russia at a fair, reasonable level because we love our country and seek to share this love with you.
• NATION-SPECIFIC PROGRAMS : based on our experience working with tourists from all parts of the world, we know how to surprise and amaze your compatriots with Russia.

PRIVACY POLICY ON THE PROCESSING OF PERSONAL DATA

This Policy of personal data processing (hereinafter - the Policy) applies to all data that "OLTA Travel" Co. Ltd (hereinafter – Olta Travel) receives from the visitors of website http://www.oltatravel.com (hereinafter "the Website") and explains how it is processing, stored and how the confidentiality is ensured.

1. Processing and use of personal data.

1.1. In this Policy, personal information means any information left by users on the Website of Olta Travel, including Name, Surname, company, email address and other contact information, left in the message.

1.2. The person who left personal data on the Website of Olta Travel, consents to their use, namely:

1.2.1. The inclusion of the email address, name, surname, company name or any other contact information left in the message in the contact database of Olta Travel. The database is hosted in a secure cloud-based customer relationship management service Bitrix 24, as well as on a secure service for newsletters – Unisender.

1.2.2. Receiving email newsletters with news, promotions, special offers and other useful materials, but no more than twice a week. The visitor of the Website at any time has the right to unsubscribe from the mailing list of Olta Travel, by clicking on the unsubscribe link located at the bottom of each letter.

1.2.3. Direct communication with the manager of Olta travel on the treatment of the user.

1.2.4. The use of contact information to show relevant advertisements to users in social networks and the Internet.

1.2.5. For other purposes performed with the individual consent of the user.

2. The collection, storage and protection of personal data.

2.1. All personal data collected on the Website is processed, stored and secured in strict accordance with the provisions of the legislation of the Russian Federation (Federal law of the Russian Federation of 27 July 2006 № 152-FL "On personal data") and the European Union (The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (EU) 2016/679).

2.2. Olta Travel is taking the necessary legal, organizational and technical measures to protect personal information from unlawful or accidental access, copying, distribution of personal information, as well as other unlawful actions in relation to personal data of users, which include:

•     secure transfer and storage of personal data on secure servers;

•     automated processing of personal data;

•     identification of possible threats to the security of personal data;

•     limiting the number of persons having access to personal data;

•     application of measures of internal regulation of the procedure of working with personal data (internal regulations for employees of Olta Travel);

•     improving methods of collection, storage and processing of data.

2.3. All data received on the Website of Olta Travel are transmitted via a secure https Protocol and stored on servers in secure, cloud-based customer relationship management service Bitrix 24, as well as in safe service for creating email newsletters Unisender.

3. User rights and obligations of Olta Travel.

3.1. Upon the request from the user Olta Travel should:

•        confirm the fact and methods of storage and processing of personal data of users;

•        inform about the method of obtaining personal data of the user;

•        explain the legal bases, objectives and timing of the processing of personal data;

•        in case of personal data leakage, inform the user about it;

•        make changes or delete users ' personal data from the database to stop storing and processing it;

•        warn about the expected cross-border transfer of personal data.

3.2. The user has the right to request the deletion of his personal data by sending an e-mail to [email protected] as well as the exclusion from the email-mailing by clicking on the "Unsubscribe" button located in the body of each letter.

4. Conditions of termination of processing and storage of personal data:

•       company liquidation;

•       a written request for withdrawal of consent or exclusion from the database;

•       at the request of the user, if the data were obtained illegally.

5. Olta Travel is not responsible for information posted by a visitor on the third party websites, links to which can be posted on the Website of Olta Travel.

6. More information about the collection, storage and processing of personal data by Olta Travel, the user may get by sending an email to [email protected] .

• Who Attends
• Session Schedule
• Apply To Speak
• 2017 Sponsors
• Sponsor Inquiry

Register Now

PARTNER SPONSOR

Official sponsor, welcome to cto world congress..

With the explosion of technology innovation, every company is now a tech company, and the CTO is the key strategic leader. This 2-day event (Feb. 14-15) is the definitive forum for CTOs to network and learn best practices.

Open Forum: The Role of the CTO

What is the CTOs role in an organization: solving the hardest coding challenge – serving as chief architect – hiring key technology managers – or making corporate strategic decisions? Join an open forum and participate in the conversation.

Building a Technology Team

CTO World Congress features thought leadership lightning talks and panel talks that showcase how top CTOs hire, retain, and manage amazing technology teams. Attendees are also invited to the GetDiversity Summit, addressing the need for diversity hiring and creating a culture of diversity.

Perspectives on Emerging Technologies

What do CTOs think about emerging technology trends such as Internet of Things technologies, Big Data platforms, API Infrastructure and Microservices, and new programming languages?

BROWSE ALL CTO WORLD CONGRESS TRACKS!

What is CTO World Congress?

CTO World Congress is the definitive convergence of hundreds of CTOs and senior technology thought leaders within a single technology conference. With the explosion of technology innovation, every company is now a tech company, and the CTO is the new key strategic leader in the corporation. CTO World Congress invites delegates from across the world to join in this community forum, discuss best practices, and advance the technology industry.

Last Year’s Speakers

Snehal Antani

Nic benders, amanda bradford, kit colbert, ilya gelfenbeyyn, chris van tuin, burley kawasaki, natasha mohanty, elissa shevinsky.

Jekudo Privacy Company

Neha Sampat

Kevin scott.

WHO’S ATTENDED

Last Year’s Attendees

• Snehal Antani , CTO, Splunk
• Neha Sampat , CEO, built.io
• Nic Benders , Chief Architect, New Relic
• Natasha Mohanty , Co-Founder and CEO, Fem Inc.
• Ajai Sehgal , CTO, Hootsuite
• Burley Kawasaki , SVP Products and Strategy, Kony Inc.
• Kevin Scott , Senior VP of Engineering and Operations, LinkedIn
• Ankur Gupta , Senior Director, Sears Holdings
• Chris Van Tuin , Chief Technologist (US West), Red Hat
• Kit Colbert , VP & CTO, VMware
• Sveta Kostinsky , Director of Engineering, Perfecto Mobile
• Elissa Shevinsky , Co-Founder, JeKuDo
• Cornelia Davis , CTO, Pivotal Labs
• Kathy Copic , Director of Growth, Insight Data Science
• Heidi Williams , Sr. Director of Platform Engineering, Box
• Prakash Janakiraman , CTO, NextDoor
• Ilya Gelfenbeyn , Co-Founder and CEO, Api.ai
• Peter Horadan , CTO, Avalara
• Aviran Mordo , Head of Engineering, Wix
• Ken Johnson , CTO, nVisium
• Paul Hepworth , VP of Engineering, UserTesting
• John Petrone , CTO, Launchpad
• Andrea Belvedere , CTO, Gengo
• Marc Weil , CTO, Cloudmine
• Privacy Policy
• Terms Of Use

© 2024 CTO World Congress.

Is It Safe in Moscow?

Stanislav Solntsev / Getty Images

When you visit Moscow , Russia, you’re seeing one of the world’s largest, and most expensive, capital cities . While there is a history of violent crime against foreign journalists and aid personnel in Russia, a trip to Moscow is usually safe for mainstream travelers. Most tourists in Moscow only face potential issues with petty crime, though terrorism is also a concern. Visitors should stick to the principal tourist areas and abide by the local security advice.

Travel Advisories

• The U.S. Department of State urges travelers to avoid travel to Russia because of COVID-19 and to "exercise increased caution due to terrorism, harassment, and the arbitrary enforcement of local laws."  
• Anyone exploring more of Russia should avoid "The North Caucasus, including Chechnya and Mount Elbrus, due to terrorism, kidnapping,   and   risk of civil unrest." Also, travelers should stay away from "Crimea due to Russia’s occupation of the Ukrainian territory   and   abuses by its occupying authorities."  
• Canada states travelers should use a high degree of caution in Russia due to the threat of terrorism and crime.  

Is Moscow Dangerous?

The Moscow city center is typically safe. In general, the closer you are to the Kremlin , the better. Travelers mainly need to be aware of their surroundings and look out for petty crime. Be especially careful in tourist areas such as Arbat Street and crowded places like the Moscow Metro transit system. The suburbs are also generally fine, though it is advised to stay away from Maryino and Perovo districts.

Terrorism has occurred in the Moscow area, leading authorities to increase security measures. Be more careful at tourist and transportation hubs, places of worship, government buildings, schools, airports, crowds, open markets, and additional tourist sites.

Pickpockets and purse snatching happen often in Russia, perpetrated by groups of children and teenagers who distract tourists to get their wallets and credit cards. Beware of people asking you for help, who then trick you into their scheme. Don’t expect a backpack to be a safe bag bet; instead, invest in something that you can clutch close to your body or purchase a money belt . Always diversify, storing some money in a separate location so that if you are pickpocketed, you'll have cash elsewhere. Keep an eye out for thieves in public transportation, underground walkways, tourist spots, restaurants, hotel rooms and homes, restaurants, and markets.

Is Moscow Safe for Solo Travelers?

Large cities like Moscow in Russia are overall fairly safe if you are traveling alone, and the Moscow Metro public transit is a secure and easy way to get around. But it is still a good idea to follow basic precautions as in any destination. Avoid exploring alone at night, especially in bad areas. You may want to learn some basic Russian phrases or bring a dictionary, as many locals don't speak English. However, in case you need any help, there are tourist police that speak English. Also, exploring with other trusted travelers and locals or on professional tours is often a good way to feel safe.

Is Moscow Safe for Female Travelers?

Catcalling and street harassment are infrequent in Moscow and the rest of Russia and females traveling alone don't usually have problems. There are plenty of police officers on the streets as well. Still, it serves to stick to Moscow's well-lit, public areas, avoid solo night walks, and use your instincts. Women frequenting bars may take receive some friendly attention. Females can wear whatever they want, but those entering Orthodox churches will be required to cover up. Though women in Russia are independent, domestic violence and other inequality issues take place regularly.

Safety Tips for LGBTQ+ Travelers

Russia is not known as a gay-friendly country. However, Moscow is one of the more welcoming cities with a blooming LGBTQ+ community and many friendly restaurants, bars, clubs, and other venues. Hate crimes in Russia have increased since the 2013 anti-gay propaganda law. Openly LGBTQ+ tourists in this conservative country may experience homophobic remarks, discrimination, or even violence, especially if traveling with a partner. Also, while women hold hands or hug publicly—whether romantically involved or not—men should avoid public displays of affection to prevent being insulted or other issues.

Safety Tips for BIPOC Travelers

Moscow  and other big cities in Russia have sizable populations of various cultures, so discrimination against BIPOC travelers is rarer than in other parts of the country where it can become dangerous. Some people living in Russia who are Black, Asian, Jewish, and from other backgrounds have experienced racial discrimination and violence. Tourists won't usually experience overt racism but may be the recipients of some stares. If anyone should bother you, be polite and resist being taunted into physically defending yourself.

Safety Tips for Travelers

Travelers should consider the following general tips when visiting:

• It's best not to drink the tap water. If you do, boil it before drinking, though showering is safe and the amount used to brush teeth is generally not harmful. Mineral water is widely drunk, especially at restaurants, and if you prefer not to have it carbonated ask for “ voda byez gaz” (water without gas).
• If you need emergency assistance in case of fire, terrorism, medical issues, or more, dial 112 in Russia for bilingual operators.
• Be judicious about taking photographs, especially of police or officials. This can potentially bring unwanted attention to yourself by members of law enforcement who won’t mind asking to see your passport. Also avoid snapping photos of official-looking buildings, such as embassies and government headquarters.
• Carry your passport in as secure a manner as possible. If you get stopped for any reason by the police, they can fine or arrest you if you don't have the document with you. Also, keep photocopies of your passport, the page on which your travel visa appears, and any other documents that relate to your stay in Russia.
• Use official taxis only and steer clear of illegal taxi companies, especially at night. Ask your hotel to call a reputable taxi company.

U.S. Department of State. " Russia Travel Advisory ." August 6, 2020.

Government of Canada. " Official Global Travel Advisories ." November 19, 2020.

Is It Safe in Peru?

Is It Safe in Guatemala?

Is It Safe in Rio de Janeiro?

Is It Safe in Barbados?

Is It Safe in Egypt?

Is It Safe in Sweden?

Is It Safe in Colombia?

Is It Safe in Jamaica?

Is It Safe in Germany?

Is It Safe in Iceland?

Is It Safe in Mexico?

Is It Safe in Amsterdam?

Is It Safe in Thailand?

2020 Travel Warnings for Countries in Africa

Is It Safe in Russia?

Is It Safe in Trujillo, Peru?

Journey to Moscow

   Welcome to Moscow - the capital of Russia, its political, scientific, historical, architectural and business centre, from which power and might of the Russian state developed.

Agoda’s C-Suite: Global Challenges, Working With Booking Holdings and Superapps

Peden Doma Bhutia , Skift

June 24th, 2024 at 11:28 PM EDT

Travel, when you think about it end-to-end, involves a lot of stress, headaches, planning, and orchestration. The Agoda C-Suite gets this and knows their mission is to ease these burdens for travelers. And they're relying heavily on tech to achieve this.

Peden Doma Bhutia

From its early days, Agoda has today evolved into a major player in the online travel space in Asia. Today, the online travel company is known for its advanced tech and three people have been an integral part of that journey: CEO Omri Morgenshtern, Chief Technology Officer Idan Zalzberg and Chief Product Officer Ittai Chorev.

Skift recently interviewed the three Agoda executives, who joined the company in 2014 following the acquisition of their startup Qlika by Booking Holdings.

“At the heart of it, Agoda stayed a very similar company with a passion towards innovation and doing the right thing for the customer. Also, in the last 10 years, the expectations from customers and the complexity of the online travel space has grown significantly,” said Chorev.

The Talent Mix

The Agoda executives said that the talent mix in Agoda today is very different than what it a decade ago. And that’s evident in its global recruitment strategy.

The company attracts top talent from around the world, including many from Silicon Valley itself, while also working with what it calls “the local smarts on the ground.” By bringing talent from the outside, Agoda also educates the local talent.

Zalzberg emphasized that the focus isn’t solely on capability but rather on determination and resource allocation: “It’s not about whether we ‘can’ do it, but whether we ‘should’ do it.”

Morgenshtern cited some examples: “A few years ago, we used virtual credit cards (VCCs) from third-party companies to pay our partners, offering them quick access to funds. This process became increasingly complex, leading to discussions about acquiring companies to manage it, potentially costing billions. Instead, we decided to build the capability in-house within 6-9 months.”

Additionally, unlike many large companies, Morgenshtern said that Agoda doesn’t rely heavily on cloud services. “We run our own data centers and have made significant progress in developing our private cloud. This approach allows us to save substantial amount of money, which we can then invest in improving our products.”

Changes and Challenges in the Travel Sector

The travel sector has seen significant changes over the past decade, presenting both opportunities and challenges for Agoda. While the world is becoming smaller, providing a localized experience for these travelers is crucial, but challenging due to scalability issues, Morgenshtern said.

Customizing products for each country makes maintenance and costs skyrocket. “One of our biggest challenges is managing tech changes to build a robust system. We aim to offer ‘internet translation services,’ ensuring a Japanese traveler accessing our site from Bangkok gets to pay with the options and receives the customer support they are used to. This is easier said than done. We spend a fortune in both localization efforts and building tech infrastructure to support it efficiently.”

Speaking at the Skift India Summit earlier this year , Morgenshtern had stressed on the importance of localization.

Agoda has also had to navigate the complexities of modern payment methods, localization requirements, and the integration of advanced technologies like AI, Zalzberg said.

Collaboration, Not Competition, With Booking Holdings

Agoda is expected to drive a lot of technical innovation, especially as Booking Holdings has been eyeing integration of the booking experience within its major brands through the “connected trip.”

Under Booking CEO Glenn Fogel, Morgenshtern said there has been a clear strategy to leverage synergies between the brands: “Before Fogel became the CEO of Booking holdings, the strategy was every brand to itself. However, over the past five to six years, we’ve adopted a clear, unified strategy.”

“We know our focus areas and engage regularly with our peers at Booking, communicating at least every two weeks. We have strong relationships, allowing us to quickly address issues and share insights. This global strategy has fostered collaboration, and now we share inventory among our companies. If Booking needs our inventory, it’s available to them, and vice versa,” the executives said.

This collaborative approach has allowed the company to focus on its strengths, particularly in the Asian market, while benefiting from the global reach and resources of Booking Holdings.

“Obviously in the marketplace, we are two brands, but we don’t compete any more, we collaborate. We are very clear about the areas that each one focuses on. Even as we operate in other markets, Agoda has focused on Asia while concentrating on localization and pricing,” the CEO said.

Development of a Travel Superapp for Asia

In Asia’s competitive travel industry, numerous companies are striving to build comprehensive travel superapps, each with its own strategy.

“Unlike the traditional method of simply aggregating services, which companies like Expedia have long employed, the focus now is on creating seamless, interconnected experiences,” Morgenshtern said.

According to the Agoda CEO, it’s about ensuring that the prices offered are better than what consumers could find by booking services separately.

Explaining the booking process he noted that a crucial aspect is delivering a smooth and intuitive user experience. Travelers book different services at varying stages: attractions are often booked late or during the trip, flights well in advance, and hotels somewhere in between. A successful superapp needs to recognize the user’s journey stage and offer relevant experiences, he said.

“We want customers to travel with Agoda, not just book a hotel or a flight. We are building the foundation to create a cohesive travel experience, and the most important part is when we start making these connections work seamlessly,” Morgenshtern said.

Have a confidential tip for Skift? Get in touch

Tags: agoda , asia monthly , asian travelers , booking holdings , booking technology , cloud technology , connected trip , online travel , online travel newsletter , Payment Technology

Photo credit: From left: Agoda CEO Omri Morgenshtern, Chief Technology Officer Idan Zalzberg and Chief Product Officer Ittai Chorev. Agoda