For Arindam Das, Google's Head of Business Development for Travel in APAC, the office is a moving target. One week, he’s navigating a partner workshop in the vibrant humidity of Jakarta; the next, he’s on stage at a tech conference in Tokyo. His role, shaping the future of how we travel, is a masterclass in mobility—demanding strategic insight, cultural fluency, and a wardrobe that can keep up.
In an industry driven by algorithms and AI, his anchor is surprisingly analogue: the art of a perfect fit. While not exclusively CYC, the pieces he’s designed with his trusted consultant, Earl, have become his armour for the moments that matter. They form a wardrobe engineered for a life in perpetual motion, where sharp tailoring provides a sense of order amidst the chaos of shifting time zones. The result is style that’s as innovative as his work—effortless, comfortable, and always ready for what’s next.
(And for a glimpse into that trusted relationship, check out our Instagram. You’ll spot Arindam’s cheeky comments whenever Earl makes an appearance.)
As Head of Business Development for Travel at Google APAC, what does your role actually look like day-to-day?
There’s rarely a typical day, which is what makes the role so exciting. My time is generally split between three core areas: internal strategy, external partnerships, and team leadership. A given week might see me leading a strategic workshop with our product teams on the future of travel AI, then flying to Tokyo to speak at an industry conference like WiT, and then working directly with my team to help our partners across the region grow their businesses.
Ultimately, my job is to be a connector — connecting Google's technology with the needs of the travel industry, connecting our partners with opportunities, and connecting my team with the resources they need to succeed. It's a constant balancing act between long-term vision and on-the-ground execution across the incredibly diverse Asia-Pacific landscape.
You work across cultures and industries. What’s one key skill that helps you navigate such a wide and diverse professional landscape?
I would say it’s deep-seated curiosity, which manifests as active listening. In a region as varied as APAC, you can't succeed with a one-size-fits-all approach. A partnership strategy that works in Australia will look very different from one in Japan or Indonesia. The only way to bridge those gaps is to listen intently — to understand not just what a partner is saying, but also the cultural and business context behind it.
I’ve learned that the most important person in the room is often the one who talks the least and listens the most. My ears are my most valuable professional asset, closely followed by a strong Wi-Fi connection. Building trust is everything, and that starts with understanding, not just waiting for your turn to speak.
In your line of work, first impressions matter. How does tailoring contribute to your professional image?
Immensely. Frankly, a well-tailored suit does half the work of looking competent before I even open my mouth. It’s my secret weapon against looking like I’ve just survived a red-eye flight, even on a good day. In a world of back-to-back meetings, you want to focus on the conversation, not on whether your jacket is pulling in a weird way. A great suit from CYC is my professional armour — it’s comfortable, it hangs perfectly, and it helps ensure the first impression I make is "strategic leader" and not "man who desperately needs a coffee and an iron."
What led you to CYC in the first place, and how did your working relationship with Earl begin?
My journey to CYC was a classic tale of off-the-rack desperation. For years, I was in a constant battle with sleeves that were too long or trousers that were just a little too short. A colleague who always looked impeccably sharp finally let me in on his secret: CYC. I went in cautiously at first and ordered just two shirts, which is my version of a pilot program.
They came back with a perfect fit, and I was immediately sold. I went back and ordered two more, and then numerous pairs of trousers — I absolutely love them. Before I knew it, Earl was guiding me through fabrics for a fantastic two-piece suit from Paladino's Eco Evolution line, and I was even getting my T-shirts tailored. Those T-shirts are now the most comfortable things I own. It all started with Earl not just selling me something, but solving my wardrobe problems, one perfectly-fitted garment at a time.
What do your CYC garments bring to your wardrobe that you hadn’t found elsewhere?
Honestly, my CYC blazer has more stamina than I do. It can survive being stuffed into an overhead compartment on a flight to Jakarta and come out looking more refreshed than I feel after landing. That combination of resilience and elegance is what I couldn't find anywhere else. The pieces are workhorses, but they look and feel refined. It's the perfect blend of style and pure, unadulterated practicality for a life lived out of a suitcase. They’re the most reliable travel companions I have.
There’s a bit of fun and familiarity between you and Earl on social media — how important is that personal connection when it comes to tailoring and style advice?
It's absolutely critical. Earl is genuinely one of the best consultants I've worked with, and the personal connection makes all the difference. That trust allows for a fun, collaborative process. A great example is when I saw him modelling a new CYC design on social media. I was super happy for him, but of course, my first thought was to leave a cheeky comment asking if his good looks were earning him a modelling fee on top of his regular salary! That's a level of comfort and familiarity you just don't get everywhere else. When your tailor understands your job and your sense of humour, you get a wardrobe that truly fits you.
When you're travelling for business, how do you stay presentable despite long flights and time zone shifts?
My strategy is a powerful combination of smart packing, disciplined routine, and large amounts of caffeine. The real hero of my travel kit, however, is a portable steamer. That little device is the magic wand that erases the evidence of a 10-hour flight from a suit jacket. The goal is to walk into a meeting looking like a "savvy international business leader" and not " the person who slept fitfully in seat 34B." Wrinkle-resistant fabrics from CYC form the foundation of this strategy, doing most of the heavy lifting for me.
Outside of Google, what do you do to decompress or recharge — and do you dress differently when you're off-duty?
My decompression strategy involves trading spreadsheets for strings. I love playing the guitar; it’s a fantastic way to engage a different part of my brain that doesn’t care about AI or partnership models. To offset the effects of sitting in meetings and on planes, I try to get in a few 5km runs each week—it's my way of literally running away from my inbox. And while it might sound like I'm still working, I love unwinding with podcasts on technology, geopolitics, and finance. I guess you can take the man out of the business world, but you can’t take the business world out of his headphones.
My off-duty style is a complete 180 from my work life. The suits are immediately replaced by t-shirts and shorts. Comfort is king. The only major "business decision" I’m making on a weekend is what to order for dinner.
You’re in a fast-moving, high-tech industry. How do you balance staying ahead professionally while staying grounded personally?
I like to think of it less as a perfect balance and more as a controlled wobble. Some days you're a productivity ninja, and other days your brain has a dozen tabs open and you can’t remember what you had for breakfast. For me, the key is knowing which balls are glass and which are rubber. My family and my health are glass. Most emails are rubber—they’ll bounce.
Staying grounded means being ruthlessly protective of my personal time. When I'm with my family, the phone goes away—mostly because if it doesn't, my wife will make it disappear for me. It’s about being fully present in whatever I'm doing, whether that’s a partner negotiation or a family movie night.
Looking forward, what trends are you watching in the travel space — and how do you see your own role in shaping what’s next?
The most significant trend is the rise of generative and agentic AI, which is poised to fundamentally change how we plan and experience travel. We're moving from a world where users have to piece together their own trips to one where a seamless, intelligent assistant like Google AI mode or Gemini, can help manage the entire journey, from inspiration to post-trip follow-ups. It's about creating a more intuitive and helpful experience for the traveller.
My role, and my team's role, is to be the bridge between this powerful technology and the travel ecosystem. We work with partners across the industry—airlines, hotels, travel agencies—to help them innovate and adapt. The goal is to build a future of travel that is more personalized, sustainable, and ultimately, more enjoyable for everyone. It’s a privilege to be at the centre of that transformation.
Build your Travel-Ready Wardrobe
For Arindam, style is intelligent simplicity. It’s a small set of made-to-measure pieces that travel well, recover fast and look composed from boarding to boardroom. Fit is the quiet constant, turning long days and time-zone jumps into something that still feels effortless.