Outdoorsy Holdings, a key player in the outdoor travel and hospitality marketplace, has announced the appointment of Han Yuan as its new Chief Technology Officer. This decision comes as Outdoorsy continues to build on its impressive growth trajectory, including a 175% multi-year growth rate.
Yuan, an experienced leader in the technology sector, brings a wealth of expertise to Outdoorsy.
His previous roles include significant positions at eBay, Upwork, and Netflix, where he led engineering and product teams. Notably, Yuan was instrumental in guiding Upwork through its successful IPO in 2018. His appointment is expected to catalyze product innovation and drive new category growth within Outdoorsy.
Outdoorsy’s recent achievements include skyrocketing growth from its proprietary insurtech, Roamly, and the launch of Outdoorsy Stays in California, Texas, and Colorado. Additionally, the company has expanded its offerings with new campground properties in California and Colorado and a glamping retreat in the Texas Hill Country.
Yuan’s role will also encompass leading technology innovation for Roamly as it continues to grow and expand into new markets. This includes the development of services and technologies to support Outdoorsy’s diverse ecosystem. Roamly’s growth has been notable, with over 100% year-over-year growth and more than $54 million in written premium on its platform.
Outdoorsy’s CEO, Jeff Cavins, expressed confidence in Yuan’s ability to enhance the company’s ecosystem and drive market expansion. Cavins emphasized Yuan’s role in advancing cross-platform applications and mobile product development, crucial for Outdoorsy’s continued success.
Yuan’s vision for Outdoorsy focuses on bridging the digital and physical domains of the company’s offerings.
“As a leader in tech, it’s critical to believe in the unlocked and unseen potential of the product you’re building. It’s equally as important to have a strong support system, as I do from the Outdoorsy engineering team, to test, fail, learn, and thrive in our pursuit to bring ambitious projects to life,” Yuan said.
Founded in 2015, Outdoorsy Holdings has rapidly evolved from a peer-to-peer RV rental marketplace into a comprehensive ecosystem for outdoor travel. The company’s growth has not gone unnoticed, as it was recognized as one of the fastest-growing private companies in America on the Inc. 5000 list and ranked in Fast Company’s ‘Most Innovative Companies’ list.
For campground, glamping, and RV park owners, Yuan’s appointment and Outdoorsy’s growth trajectory offer promising prospects. The expansion of Outdoorsy’s platform and services, particularly in campground and glamping offerings, presents new opportunities for these operators to connect with a broader customer base and leverage innovative technology solutions.
Outdoorsy’s success and expansion are indicative of the growing interest in outdoor hospitality and recreation. The company’s focus on technology and innovation aligns with the evolving needs of the industry, providing campground and outdoor hospitality operators with new avenues for growth and customer engagement.
In 2023, Outdoorsy achieved profitability and is currently pacing at a multi-year growth rate of 175%, with expectations to exceed $3 billion in transactions in 2024. The company celebrated a milestone of 1 million trips and over 7 million booked travel days in June.
The appointment of Han Yuan as CTO is a clear indicator of Outdoorsy’s commitment to technological advancement and market leadership in the outdoor travel and hospitality sector. His expertise and vision are set to propel the company further in its mission to transform how travelers access and enjoy the outdoors, offering significant benefits to the broader outdoor hospitality industry.