BUENOS AIRES, Nov 27 (Reuters) - Argentine travel

company Despegar expects more than 20% growth in bookings and

revenue in 2025, boosted by improvements in Argentina, regional

currency stabilization, and expansion into Europe and the U.S.,

CEO Damian Scokin told Reuters.

WHY IT'S IMPORTANT

The company, which operates in 19 countries, is one of Latin

America's largest online tourism platforms, and has been

affected by high inflation in Argentina and currency

depreciation against the U.S. dollar in key markets Brazil and

Mexico.

KEY QUOTES

Scokin called 2024 challenging due to Argentina's recession

and high inflation, together with weaker regional exchange rates

as Brazil's and Mexico's currencies fell 16.7% and 18.5%

respectively against the dollar.

"These are huge depreciations for large economies, and that

makes travel abroad more expensive in those countries, and

affects demand," Scokin told Reuters on Tuesday.

"For 2025 we set a growth target higher than 20%, which

includes the effect we expect from some normalization in

Argentina and exchange rates stabilizing," Scokin said, adding

the target foresees growth outside Latin America.

Scokin said the company is aiming to expand to the U.S. and

Europe by partnering with businesses and banks to offer trips

through loyalty programs.

BY THE NUMBERS

New York-listed Despegar expects revenues of $760 million

this year, with adjusted earnings before interest, taxes,

depreciation and amortization at $170 million.

The company reported third-quarter revenue of $194 million,

up 53% year-on-year, while adjusted EBITDA nearly doubled to a

record $48 million.

WHAT'S NEXT

Despegar set a growth target of 20% annually over the next

five years. The company's positive results will open up

financing opportunities and more investment, Scokin said.