Gross Bookings up 129% YoY and in line with 2Q19 levels, with Adjusted EBITDA of $10.6 million

Despegar.com, Corp. (NYSE: DESP), (“Despegar” or the “Company”), Latin America’s leading online travel company, today announced unaudited financial results for the three-months ended June 30, 2022 (“second quarter 2022” or “2Q22”). Financial results are expressed in U.S. dollars and are presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). Financial results are preliminary and subject to year-end audit and adjustment. All comparisons in this announcement are year-over-year (“YoY”), unless otherwise noted.

2Q22 Financial and Operating Highlights

(For definitions, see page 14)

• Gross Bookings of $1.1 billion, up 129% year-over-year (“YoY”) and in line with 2Q19 levels, as travel restrictions were largely eliminated and demand continued to recover steadily
• Transactions increased 65% YoY to 90% of 2Q19 volume
• Room nights increased 67% YoY to 69% of 2Q19 levels
• Mobile represented 46% of Transactions, up 175 basis points (“bps”) YoY and 550 bps compared to 2Q19
• Revenues increased 113% YoY to $134.4 million, 18% above 2Q19
• Adjusted EBITDA increased to $10.6 million, marking the third consecutive positive quarter, up from negative $22.3 million a year ago
• Generated $4.2 million in operating cash flow, compared with use of cash of $0.7 million in 2Q21 and positive operating cash flow of $15.9 million in 2Q19
• Loyalty Program reached 5.7 million members in 2Q22, increasing 82% QoQ
• Closed two acquisitions in Brazil: i) 51% of the shares of Stays, Brazil’s leading vacation rental channel manager, for approximately $3.1 million, and ii) of the shares of Viajanet an online travel agent for approximately $15.5 million
• On June 14, 2022, the Board of Directors approved a new $40 million share repurchase program that expired August 12, 2022. Under the program, a total of $5.4 million worth of shares were repurchased during the second quarter

Subsequent Events

• Repurchased $4.6 million of Despegar shares in July, bringing total repurchases to $10 million

Message from the CEO

Commenting on the Company’s performance, Damian Scokin, CEO said:

“Our winning business model and expanding travel ecosystem are enabling us to continue effectively capturing rising travel demand, particularly in Brazil, our largest market. Gross bookings, which were near pre-pandemic levels, combined with increasing operating leverage, higher ASPs and an improved revenue mix, helped us deliver a third consecutive quarter of positive Adjusted EBITDA, which rose substantially year-over-year to $10.6 million.

During the second quarter of 2022, we completed the acquisitions of Viajanet and Stays under our regional consolidation strategy, further enhancing our B2C and B2B offerings. Building on our M&A experience, we have been seamlessly integrating these businesses, in order to achieve revenue, cost and technology synergies.

In addition to enhancing our offering, which focuses on affordable travel options and vacation packages, Koin continues to expand our addressable market, raise average ticket prices, and increase conversion rates. With purchase volume rising almost seven times over the last twelve months and NPLs remaining at healthy levels, our Buy-Now-Pay-Later (“BNPL”) business is expected to reach EBITDA positive by mid-2023.

Customer loyalty remains a key growth initiative, as it drives engagement and repeat purchases. We are pleased that another 2.6 million travelers became Passaporte Despegar members during the second quarter of 2022, increasing 82% sequentially to 5.7 million.

Operating cash flow was $4.2 million as of the second quarter of 2022, contributing to a solid cash position of $275 million, which gives us the financial flexibility to capture more of Latin America’s $88 billion⁽¹⁾ travel market. During June and July we repurchased $10.0 million of our shares under our share repurchase program, which we believe continue to trade at a substantial discount in comparison to our peers.

Based on current data and trends, we expect travel demand to sustain its recovery during the remainder of the year. We are aware of the current global macroeconomic volatility, particularly rising inflation and interest rates, however we have been operating in this challenging environment during the last four months and still see travel demand recovering. Longer term, we remain focused on executing the strategy outlined during our Investor Day. Its aim is to capture more of the market’s growth more effectively and further strengthen earnings power, driving Adjusted EBITDA to $150 million when the industry’s Gross Bookings reach 2019 levels.”

Overview of Second Quarter 2022 Results

On a year-over-year (“YoY”) basis, transactions increased 65% to 2.2 million, reaching 90% of 2Q19 levels. Transactions in the air travel segment outgrew the recovery in Packages, Hotels & Other Travel Products by 33 percentage points, as travel restrictions were lifted across Latin America.

Gross Bookings increased 129% YoY to $1.1 billion and reached 2Q19 levels.

Domestic Gross Bookings increased 76% YoY and exceeded 2Q19 levels by 28%, while International Gross Bookings increased 200% YoY, reaching 85% of 2Q19 levels, as travel restrictions in Latin America were lifted, boosting demand for international travel in particular.

ASPs rose 39% YoY - and 45% on an FX neutral basis - to $511, mainly reflecting rising travel demand, particularly for international trips, higher fuel prices that increased airfares, as well as other inflation pressures. Compared to 2Q19, ASPs increased 12%.

Geographic Breakdown

Brazil accounted for 32% of total Transactions in 2Q22, increasing 116% and 23% below 2Q19 levels.

Gross Bookings grew 345% YoY and were 20% lower when compared to 2Q19. ASPs increased 106% YoY and 4% compared to 2Q19.

Mexico represented 21% of 2Q22 Transactions. Gross Bookings in Mexico increased 17% YoY, while Transactions were down 5% as Mexico was one of the first markets to lift mobility restrictions in 2021 thus affecting the comparable base. In addition, domestic flights decreased YoY due to the implementation of price increases. Compared to 2Q19, Transactions increased 26% while Gross Bookings rose 74%, reflecting the contribution of Best Day, which was acquired in October 2020. ASPs increased 24% YoY and 37% when compared to 2Q19.

Across the rest of Latin America, Transactions and Gross Bookings, on a YoY basis, rose 98% and 160%, respectively, but were 12% and 3% lower when compared to 2Q19. ASPs increased 31% YoY and 11% versus 2Q19.

Revenue

On a YoY basis, Revenues increased 113% to $134.4 million. Revenue Margin decreased 90 bps YoY to 12.0%, due to targeted price promotions aimed at increasing market share in Brazil and Argentina while maintaining take rates in line with long-term guidance.

Compared to 2Q19, Revenues increased 18%, while Gross Bookings performed at similar levels. Additionally, total Revenue Margin improved 180 bps, mainly due to higher up-front incentives and customer fees as a percentage of Gross Bookings.

Cost of Revenue and Gross Profit

Cost of Revenue consists mainly of credit card processing fees, bank fees related to customer financing installment plans, and fulfillment center expenses. Starting 2Q22, and the Company reclassified under Cost of Revenue $3.8 million and -$1.6 million of financial bad debt related to Koin and Despegar, respectively to more accurately reflect Despegar´s cost structure. This cost was previously accounted for under General & Administrative expenses. Management believes that accounting for financial bad debt as a Cost of Revenue is consistent with Koin´s strategic role in helping expand the Company's addressable market and increase conversion rates.

On a YoY basis, Cost of Revenue increased 17%, significantly below the 113% revenue growth in the period. As a percentage of Gross Bookings, Cost of Revenue decreased 383 bps to 4.0%, reflecting the Company's ongoing efforts to reduce its cost structure to drive operating leverage and customer care demand converging toward lower pre-pandemic levels.

As reported Gross Profit increased 262% to $89.3 million from $24.6 million in 2Q21. Gross Profit, excluding Extraordinary Charges, increased 147% to $89.5 million, accounting for 8.0% of Gross Bookings compared to 7.4% in 2Q21.

Compared to 2Q19, Cost of Revenue increased 12%, due to higher fulfillment center expenses, installment costs and credit card processing fees. Accordingly, Cost of Revenue as a percentage of Gross Bookings was only 37 bps above 2019 levels, while Gross Profit increased 22%, reflecting increased operating leverage.

Operating Expenses

On a YoY basis, Operating Expenses increase 51% to $90.7 million, mainly due to a 120% increase in Selling and Marketing (S&M) spend in response to higher travel demand during the period. Excluding Extraordinary Charges in both quarters, Operating Expenses would have increased 49%, declining 427 bps as a percentage of Gross Bookings to 8.0% in 2Q22. These results reflect operational leverage kicking, per the Company’s long-term growth strategy.

Selling and Marketing (“S&M”) expenses increased 120% YoY to $42.2 million, while decreasing 16 bps as a percentage of Gross Bookings. The increase in absolute terms mainly reflects investments in direct marketing, which are consistent with market growth, particularly in regions with higher recovery levels.

General and Administrative (“G&A”) expenses, increased 19% YoY to $27.0 million, mainly driven by FX and local currency inflation in Argentina, particularly in relation to wages, provisions in connection with contingencies, and outsourced services related to strategic initiatives.

Technology and Product Development expenses totaled $21.4 million, increasing 17% YoY, mainly due to FX variations and local currency inflation related to IT-personnel expenses and to a small increase in headcount as the Company strengthened its IT team. Technology and Product Development expenses declined 184 bps YoY as a percentage of Gross Bookings.

Financial Income/Expense

For 2Q22, Despegar reported net financial expenses of $10.5 million, compared to a net financial expenses of $1.8 million in 2Q21. The increase in expenses was mainly caused by FX losses and higher costs associated with the factoring of receivables in Brazil. Financial expenses were partially offset by hedging activities conducted by the Company and by interest income gains.

Income Taxes

The Company reported an income tax expense of $1.3 million in 2Q22, compared to $6.4 million in 2Q21. The effective tax rate in 2Q22 was 11%, compared to 17.1% in 2Q21.

The variation in the 2Q22 effective tax rate was mainly driven by: i) changes in the valuation allowance and deferred tax assets in Brazil and Mexico, due to recoverability analysis for future years; and ii) an income tax rate reduction in Brazil based on a new beneficial tax law.

Adjusted EBITDA

As reported Adjusted EBITDA was $10.6 million, compared to a loss of $22.3 million in 2Q21.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flows

The majority of Despegar’s cash balance is held in U.S. dollars in the United States and United Kingdom. Foreign currency exposure is minimized by managing natural hedges, netting the Company’s current assets and current liabilities in similarly denominated foreign currencies, and by managing short term loans and investments for hedging purposes.

Despegar generated $4.2 million in cash from operating activities during 2Q22. This compares with use of cash of $0.7 million in 2Q21 and cash generation of $15.9 million in 2Q19.

Cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash, decreased $11 million QoQ to $274.8 million, as of June 30, 2022. Aggregate Net Operational Short-term Obligations were $216.8 million, decreasing 2% on a QoQ basis.

Key Events During and Subsequent to the Quarter

Despegar Completed Acquisition of 100% of Brazilian Online Travel Agency Viajanet

On June 8, 2022, Despegar announced that it completed the acquisition of 100% of the shares of TVLX Viagens e Turismo S.A (“Viajanet”), one of Brazil’s leading online travel agencies, for approximately $15.5 million. As of July 2022, 60% of our outstanding payment obligations were fulfilled, while the remainder is expected to be paid in two equal installments in June 2024 and June 2025, subject to any post-closing indemnification adjustments.

Despegar Acquired Stake in Brazil-based Stays

Per the previously announced agreement, Despegar acquired 51% of the shares of Stays, the leading channel manager in Brazil’s vacation rentals segment, for approximately $3.1 million.

Despegar Initiated New Share Repurchase Program

As part of Despegar’s share repurchase program announced on June 14, 2022, the Company repurchased shares of the Company of an aggregate value of $5.4 million in June 2022 and $4.6 million in July 2022. The program expired on August 12, 2022.

Despegar Announced Appointment of New Board Member

Effective June 24, 2022, and in connection with a rotation by LCLA Daylight LP (an affiliate of L Catterton Latin America III, L.P.) of its appointed directors, Mr. Dirk Donath resigned as a director and member of the Board’s Nomination & Compensation and Strategy committees. Mr. Donath will continue to serve as an observer of the Board. In turn, L Catterton appointed Ramiro Lauzan as a member of the Board and the Nomination & Compensation and Strategy committees of the Company. Mr. Lauzan previously served as an observer of the Board.

Despegar published its 2021 ESG report

On August 18, 2022, Despegar published its 2021 ESG report available on the Company's website at: https://investor.despegar.com/

Argentina Considered Hyperinflationary Economy

As of July 1, 2018, as a result of a three-year cumulative inflation rate greater than 100% and following the guidance of ASC 830, the U.S. dollar became the functional currency of the Company’s Argentine subsidiary. This change in functional currency is being recognized prospectively in the financial statements. As a result, starting 3Q18 the impact of any change in currency exchange rate on the Company’s balance sheet accounts is reported in the net financial income/(expense) line of the income statement instead of other comprehensive income.

Non-GAAP Financial Information

This earnings release includes certain references to Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure. For the year ended December 31, 2020, Despegar changed the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA reported to the chief operating decision maker to exclude restructuring charges and acquisition costs.

Despegar has calculated Adjusted EBITDA as net loss for the quarter exclusive of financial income/(expense), income tax, depreciation and amortization, impairment charges, stock-based compensation expense, restructuring charges and acquisition transaction costs. Adjusted EBITDA is not prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Accordingly, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this information and should note that Adjusted EBITDA, as calculated by us, may differ materially from similarly titled measures reported by other companies, including our competitors.

2Q22 Earnings Conference Call

Access Code: 195170

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Definitions and concepts

Adjusted EBITDA: is calculated as net income/(loss) exclusive of financial income/(expense), income tax, depreciation and amortization, impairment charges, stock-based compensation expense, restructuring charges and acquisition transaction costs.

Aggregate Net Operational Short-term Obligations: consists of travel accounts payable plus related party payables, accounts payable and accrued expenses, minus trade accounts receivable net of credit expected loss and related party receivable.

Average Selling Price (“ASP”): reflects Gross Bookings divided by the total number of Transactions.

Extraordinary Charges: extraordinary events that lead to further non regular expenses, such as: i) Extraordinary Cancellations; ii) extraordinary restructuring charges and bad debt provisions for airlines that have entered into Chapter 11, among others. As of 1Q22, Extraordinary Charges also include costs generated from the operation of Best Day.

Foreign Exchange (“FX”) Neutral calculated by using the average monthly exchange rate of each month of the quarter and applying it to the corresponding months in the current year, so as to calculate what the results would have been had exchange rates remained constant. These calculations do not include any other macroeconomic effects such as local currency inflation effects.

Gross Bookings: Gross Bookings is an operating measure that represents the aggregate purchase price of all travel products booked by the Company’s customers through its platform during a given period. The Company generates substantially all of its revenue from commissions and other incentive payments paid by its suppliers and service fees paid by its customers for transactions through its platform, and, as a result, it monitors Gross Bookings as an important indicator of its ability to generate revenue.

NPL means non-performing loans and is defined as a loan which will not be repaid by the borrower in full or is subject to late repayment. For the purpose of this presentation, non-performing loans are calculated considering the borrowers that have not made repayments of principal and/or interest for at least 90 days.

Reporting Business Segments: The Company’s business is organized into two segments: (1) Air, which primarily consists of facilitation services for the sale of airline tickets on a stand-alone basis and excludes airline tickets that are packaged with other non-airline flight products, and (2) Packages, Hotels and Other Travel Products, which primarily consists of facilitation services for the sale of travel packages (which can include airline tickets and hotel rooms), as well as stand-alone sales of hotel rooms (including vacation rentals), car rentals, bus tickets, cruise tickets, travel insurance and destination services. Both segments also include sale of advertisements and, to a lesser extent, incentives earned from suppliers and interest revenue.

Revenue: The Company reports its revenue on a net basis for the majority of its transactions, deducting cancellations and amounts collected as sales taxes. The Company presents its revenue on a gross basis for some transactions when it pre-purchases flight seats. These transactions have been limited to date. Despegar derives substantially all of its revenue from commissions and incentive fees paid by its travel suppliers and service fees paid by the travelers for transactions through its platform. To a lesser extent, Despegar also derives revenue from advertising and other sources (i.e. destination services, loyalty and interest revenue).

Revenue Margin: calculated as revenue divided by Gross Bookings.

Seasonality: Despegar’s financial results experience fluctuations due to seasonal variations in demand for travel services. Despegar’s most significant market, Brazil, and the rest of South America where Despegar operates, are located in the Southern hemisphere where summer runs from December 1 to February 28 and winter runs from June 1 to August 31. Despegar’s most significant market in the Northern hemisphere is Mexico where summer runs from June 1 to August 31 and winter runs from December 1 to February 28. Accordingly, traditional leisure travel bookings in the Southern hemisphere are generally the highest in the third and fourth quarters of the year as travelers plan and book their winter and summer holiday travel. The number of bookings typically decreases in the first quarter of the year. In the Northern hemisphere, bookings are generally the highest in the first three quarters as travelers plan and book their spring, summer and winter holiday travel. The seasonal revenue impact is exacerbated with respect to income by the nature of variable Cost of Revenue and direct sales and marketing costs, which is typically realized in closer alignment to booking volumes, and the more stable nature of fixed costs.

TPV means Total Purchase Volume, and is equivalent to the volume processed by the Buy-Now-Pay-Later financing solution during a specific period of time.

Transactions: The number of transactions for a period is an operating measure that represents the total number of customer orders completed on Despegar’s platforms in such period. The number of transactions is an important metric because it is an indicator of the level of engagement with the Company’s customers and the scale of its business from period to period but, unlike Gross Bookings, the number of transactions is independent of the average selling price of each transaction, which can be influenced by fluctuations in currency exchange rates among other factors.

About Despegar.com

Despegar is the leading online travel company in Latin America. For over two decades, it has revolutionized the tourism industry through technology. With its continuous commitment to the development of the sector, Despegar today is comprised of a consolidated Group that includes Best Day, Viajes Falabella and Koin, (the Company’s fintech business) in turn becoming one of the most relevant companies in the region and able to offer a tailor-made experience for more than 29 million customers.

Despegar operates in 20 countries in the region, accompanying Latin Americans from the moment they dream of traveling until they share their memories. With the purpose of improving people's lives and transforming the shopping experience, it has developed alternative payment methods and financing, democratizing access to consumption and bringing Latin Americans closer to their next travel experience. Despegar is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: DESP). For more information, please visit www.despegar.com.

About This Press Release

This press release does not contain sufficient information to constitute a complete set of interim financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The financial information is this earnings release has not been audited.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. We base these forward-looking statements on our current beliefs, expectations and projections about future events and financial trends affecting our business and our market. Many important factors could cause our actual results to differ substantially from those anticipated in our forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update publicly or to revise any forward-looking statements. New risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all risks and uncertainties that could have an impact on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. The words “believe,” “may,” “should,” “aim,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “will,” “expect” and similar words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include information concerning our possible or assumed future results of operations, business strategies, capital expenditures, financing plans, competitive position, industry environment, potential growth opportunities, the effects of future regulation and the effects of competition. In particular, the COVID-19 pandemic, and governments’ extraordinary measures to limit the spread of the virus, are disrupting the global economy and the travel industry, and consequently adversely affecting our business, results of operation and cash flows and, as conditions are uncertain and changing rapidly, it is difficult to predict the full extent of the impact that the pandemic will have or when travel will resume at pre-pandemic levels. Considering these limitations, you should not make any investment decision in reliance on forward-looking statements contained in this press release.

-- Financial Tables Follow --

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 (in thousands U.S. dollars, except as noted)

Key Financial & Operating Trended Metrics (in thousands U.S. dollars, except as noted)

Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2022 and March 31, 2022 (in thousands U.S. dollars, except as noted)

Unaudited Statements of Cash Flows for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 (in thousands U.S. dollars, except as noted)

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This earnings release includes certain references to Adjusted EBITDA and non-GAAP financial measures. The Company defines:

Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as net income/(loss) exclusive of financial income/(expense), income tax, depreciation and amortization, impairment charges, stock-based compensation expense, restructuring charges and acquisition transaction costs.

Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure recognized under U.S. GAAP. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this information and should note that these measures as calculated by the Company, differ materially from similarly titled measures reported by other companies, including its competitors.

Adjusted EBITDA excluding Extraordinary Charges: is Adjusted EBITDA as defined before excluding the impact of Extraordinary Charges

To supplement its consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, the Company presents foreign exchange (“FX”) neutral measures.

This non-GAAP measure should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and may be different from non-GAAP measures used by other companies. In addition, this non-GAAP measure is not based on any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles. Non-GAAP measures have limitations in that they do not reflect all of the amounts associated with our results of operations as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. This non-GAAP financial measure should only be used to evaluate our results of operations in conjunction with the most comparable U.S. GAAP financial measures.

Reconciliation of this non-GAAP financial measure to the most comparable U.S. GAAP financial measures can be found in the tables included in this quarterly earnings release.

The Company believes that reconciliation of FX neutral measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure provides investors an overall understanding of our current financial performance and its prospects for the future. Specifically, we believe this non-GAAP measure provides useful information to both management and investors by excluding the foreign currency exchange rate impact that may not be indicative of our core operating results and business outlook.

The FX neutral measures were calculated by using the average monthly exchange rates for each month during 2020 and applying them to the corresponding months in 2021, so as to calculate what results would have been had exchange rates remained stable from one year to the next. The table below excludes intercompany allocation FX effects. Finally, this measure does not include any other macroeconomic effect such as local currency inflation effects, the impact on impairment calculations or any price adjustment to compensate for local currency inflation or devaluations. 

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