Joan Barceló

CIO in España

Joan Barceló

CIO in España

Designing and scaling a fully integrated, cloud-native travel ecosystem — from infrastructure to core business — powered by data and AI.

I am Corporate CIO at W2M – World2Meet, where I lead the end-to-end technology strategy of a fully integrated, digital-native travel group.

Since 2020, I have been driving the “Born from Scratch” project: the design and build of a vertical, cloud-native architecture that supports the entire travel value chain — from airlines and tour operators to distribution, mobility and hotel management. This ecosystem integrates infrastructure, communications and core business platforms into a unified, scalable model.

My focus is not on adopting technology, but on embedding intelligence into real operations — using data, automation and AI to improve decision-making, operational efficiency and customer experience across the full travel lifecycle.

My work is guided by a few core ideas:

  • Technology only creates value when it is technology with purpose
  • The most impactful AI is invisible, embedded into operations
  • Scaling AI requires architecture, governance and execution
  • Complexity should be absorbed by systems, not transferred to people
  • Real transformation happens when technology impacts the entire value chain

Currently focused on:

  • Scaling AI across a multi-company, vertically integrated travel group
  • Designing unified data and operational platforms
  • Driving digital experience across the full customer journey
  • Connecting technology, business and people into a single operating model
  • I actively collaborate with industry, academic and technology ecosystems to explore how to move from experimentation to real impact in complex organizations.

Alongside my executive role, I collaborate with academia, industry forums and technology ecosystems to explore how to move from experimentation to real impact in complex organizations.

  • Work
    • W2M - World2Meet
  • Education
    • Bachelor's Degree - Computer Science (UIB)
    • CCPM (IE Business School)
    • ICITEM - International Cert. in IT Excellence