Despegar, Latin America’s leading travel agency is teaming up with AI-powered retail media auction company Topsort to introduce an advanced Sponsored Products feature to its platform, offering advertisers a new way to connect with travellers.
The collaboration marks an important step forward for Despegar as the first travel platform in Latam to integrate AI-powered sponsored listings into its ecosystem. By tapping into Topsort, Despegar now offers its advertisers a simple and efficient way to launch campaigns showcasing their products—such as hotels, flights, or vacation packages – directly in search results, providing a more effective way to engage with travellers throughout their journey.
By entering travel media, Topsort is bringing the principles of retail media – transparency, AI-powered efficiency, modular APIs, and real-time decision making – to the forefront of an industry that’s yet to fully tap into its powers. With travel media ad spend projected to exceed $2.9 billion in 2026, according to eMarketer, Despegar is at the forefront of this transformation in LATAM.
Despegar uses Topsort’s plug-and-play Retail Media Solution with a self-service model that allows advertisers to manage campaigns independently. With access to advanced tools like real-time reporting and performance metrics, such as clicks, impressions and ROAS, advertisers can optimise their efforts and achieve measurable results, all while maintaining the seamless experience Despegar users expect.
Juan Manuel Valverde, VP Global Air Travel Partners & Media Sales at Despegar, says: “Our challenge is to continue growing exponentially in the media business, incorporating the best technology to offer an exceptional experience to our partners. In this regard, Topsort’s expertise in sponsored ads and its flexibility as a strategic partner have been key in the development of our own retail media platform. With ambitious targets and a strong focus on innovation, we strive to position ourselves alongside the leading players in this industry on a global scale.”
“This partnership marks an important moment for the travel industry. Despegar is leading the way by integrating advanced advertising solutions that maximize results while preserving a user experience that feels seamless and relevant. It’s not just about advertising—it’s about helping travellers discover the right products at the right time,” adds Francisco Larraín, Topsort’s CTO.
As a pioneer in Latin America, Despegar is following in the footsteps of global giants like Expedia in the US by launching a travel media network. This new strategy not only unlocks a new revenue stream but also enhances its entire ecosystem, creating opportunities and added value for both sellers and shoppers alike.
Key Highlights of Topsort’s Technology in Despegar’s Ad Ecosystem:
- Auction-Based Retail Media Infrastructure: Topsort’s technology enables the integration of auction-based ads directly into Despegar’s platform, with dynamic segmentation to personalize the advertising experience.
- AI-Driven Optimization: Artificial intelligence algorithms ensure greater ad relevance and optimize return on investment for advertisers.
- Self-Service Tools: Advertisers can create, manage, and adjust campaigns in real-time, streamlining processes and eliminating manual operational burdens.
- User-First Design: Seamlessly integrates non-intrusive ads that align with traveller needs.
