Dida Holdings, an AI-first tech company, has announced that its founder, Rikin Wu has appointed Daryl Lee as its new Group Chief Executive Officer, effective 5 October 2025.
Here are a few key takeaways from the official announcement:
- Rikin Wu, Dida’s founder will appoint Daryl Lee as Group CEO, with Rikin transitioning to the position of Chairman, Dida Holdings.
- Dida focuses on global distribution by connecting partners worldwide with next-generation solutions in AI, automation and connectivity.
- The group’s strategy is organised around three pillars; Travel, Technology and New Ventures with an ambition to accelerate growth and create value both organically and via strategic acquisitions.
Lee was previously global CEO WebBeds and before that led GTA across the Middle East & 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. He 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 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.
Dida’s journey, from Shenzhen startup to global leader
Founded in 2012 in Shenzhen by entrepreneur Rikin Wu, Dida began as a travel distribution startup with the vision of modernising how China connected to the world. In just over a decade, the company has grown to become a leading B2B travel distribution platform and a global enterprise with a focus on connectivity, automation and AI-driven solutions for travel partners across all continents.
Dida Hotels connects partners to over a million properties worldwide including a curated portfolio of direct contracts featuring unique conditions, while the Dida Flights divison delivers access to global air content through a unique API.
Dida Go provides end-to-end ground transportation solutions, from airport shuttles and private transfers to chartered day drivers, while Dida Experiences unlocks curated tours, activities, and attractions to enhance every traveller’s journey. Together, these business units create an integrated ecosystem that enables partners to deliver exceptional travel experiences at scale.
Strategic vision and three pillars for growth
From its early focus on outbound Chinese travel demand, Dida is transforming into a full-fledged AI-first travel tech group, bridging 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:
1. TRAVEL: Expanding and strengthening Dida’s high-value global distribution network, with a continued focus on maintaining its position in China and APAC, while deepening partnerships in Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East.
2. 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.
3. NEW VENTURES: Investing in innovation and pursuing strategic acquisitions that accelerate growth, strengthen capabilities in emerging technologies and unlock new revenue streams.
Rikin Wu, Founder & Chairman of Dida, commented: “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.”
Daryl Lee, incoming Group CEO of Dida, added: “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.”
Daryl Lee will be making his first public appearance as Group CEO of Dida at WiT Singapore, Oct 6-8. Get your tickets now.
