48. Tobias Ragge of HRS

The modern story of HRS (Hotel Reservation Service) is one of geographic growth, expansion into new business areas and a handing over of the baton from father to son.But the company has its roots going back to 1972, when it was created in Cologne, Germany, as a travel agency that concentrated on booking accommodation for exhibitions.Robert Ragge ran the business until 2008, when his son Tobias (already an employee) took over the reins.The transfer of power, after the retirement of a brand's founder, is always going to throw up some complexity and issues but on this occasion, there was the family angle to contend with as well.Since then, HRS has developed into an international business with offices in 16 countries around the world.Ragge joins us at the latest guest on How I Got Here.HIGH is a weekly show produced by PhocusWire and Mozio, aimed at getting the inside stories behind startups and innovation in travel and transportation.It's hosted by PhocusWire's editor in chief, Kevin May, and Mozio co-founder and CEO David Litwak.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.