FutureTravel Summit Speaker: Makoto Rheault Kihara, VP Growth at Hopper

We’re excited to welcome, Makoto Rheault Kihara, VP of Growth at Hopper, to the FutureTravel Summit on October 30.

Makoto leads growth and media solutions at one of the most downloaded travel apps in the world. With over 120 million installs across 70 countries, the Hopper app has become a mobile-first marketplace that combines AI-driven personalization with deep fintech integrations. Under Makoto’s leadership, Hopper has also become a key platform for destinations and travel brands looking to reach high-intent travelers through smarter, performance-based media solutions.

What sets Makoto apart is his ability to bridge user experience, revenue strategy, and tech execution at scale. His global perspective (shaped by years living in Ottawa, Tokyo, Bangkok, and Manila) gives him a grounded view of how travelers engage with digital travel products across markets.

At the FutureTravel Summit, Makoto will join a panel conversation focused on how AI is shaping growth and revenue strategies in travel (from personalization to monetization) and what this means for decision-making across the industry. Join us in Barcelona on October 30 to hear it live!