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Top 20 travel startups to watch out for in 2024

1. travelperk.

• Headquarters : Barcelona, Spain
• Other office locations : Boston, Chicago, Miami, Berlin, Birmingham, Edinburgh, London
• Number of employees : 1,142 
• Funding : raised a total of $408.2M over 9 rounds

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2. timeshifter.

• Headquarters: New York, USA
• Other office locations: Southampton, NY, Water Mill, NY
• Number of employees: 861
• Funding: raised a total of $3.5M over 3 rounds

3. GetYourGuide

• Headquarters: Berlin, Germany
• Other office locations: Zurich, Sydney, Vienna, Paris, Hong Kong, Rome, Dubai, San Francisco, New York City, Cape Town, Barcelona, London, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo
• Number of employees: 928
• Funding: raised a total of $5.9 billion in venture funding by 2022
• Headquarters: Saudi Arabia
• Other office locations: N/A
• Number of employees: 16
• Funding: seed round closed in February 2023

5. Lighthouse (OTA Insight)

• Headquarters: London, UK
• Other office locations: Singapore, Denver, Belgium, Sao Paolo, Dallas
• Number of employees: 411
• Funding: $80 million Series B 

6. SafetyWing

• Headquarters: California, USA
• Number of employees: 145
• Funding: raised a total of $47M over 4 rounds

7. Coindrum

• Headquarters: Dublin, Ireland
• Number of employees: 10
• Funding: raised a total of $2.9M over 2 rounds

8. Luggage Hero

• Headquarters: Copenhagen, Denmark
• Number of employees: 30
• Funding: raised a total of $3.9M over 5 rounds

9. Blacklane

• Other office locations: New York, San Diego, Miami, Dubai, Paris, Brisbane
• Number of employees: 343
• Funding: raised a total of $103M over 10 rounds
• Headquarters: USA
• Other office locations: Singapore
• Number of employees: 300+
• Funding: raised a total of $67.3M over 3 rounds

11. Roadsurfer

• Headquarters: Bayern, Germany
• Other office locations: 70+ locations 
• Number of employees: 263
• Funding: $31.3M (Series Unknown)

12. PickYourTrail

• Headquarters: Chennai, India 
• Number of employees: 5
• Funding: $4.74M over 5 rounds from 12 investors

13. Tripsider

• Headquarters: San Francisco, California, USA
• Number of employees: 50
• Funding: $1M in seed
• Headquarters: Cedarhurst, New York, USA
• Number of employees: 100 
• Funding: Undisclosed

15. Tourisfair

• Headquarters: Saabrücken, Germany 
• Number of employees: 10 
• Funding: £500-800K
• Headquarters: Austin, Texas 
• Number of employees: 12
• Funding: $4.25M in seed funding in 2023
• Headquarters: London, UK 
• Funding: $236M in funding across 35 funding rounds

18. Katanox

• Headquarters: Amsterdam, Netherlands 
• Other office locations: Manchester, Delaware, Seattle, New York 
• Number of employees: 25
• Funding: $5.7M raised by 2022

19. Greether

• Headquarters: Zurich, Switzerland  
• Number of employees: 34
• Funding: $2.2M in seed funding (July 2023) 

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18 Companies & Startups Revitalizing Travel in 2024

You may also like: 

• Top Travel Industry Trends
• 20 Disruptive Transportation Startups
• 6 Important Hospitality Trends

The travel industry was one of the hardest hit industries during the pandemic.

In 2023, global tourism recovered, jumping back to  84% of pre-pandemic levels . Also, global travel and tourism revenue is expected to grow from $927.3 billion in 2024 to $1.1 billion by 2028. 

However, the industry as a whole isn't expected to recover  until 2027 .

Despite that, some travel startups are still growing exponentially.

Check out this list of companies that are looking to revitalize the travel industry in 2024 and beyond.

1. TravelPerk

5-year search growth : 130%

Search growth status : Exploding

Year founded : 2015

Location : Barcelona, Spain

Funding : $664.1M (Debt Financing)

What they do : TravelPerk is a travel management platform designed to simplify business travel. It offers a centralized platform for booking, managing, and analyzing business travel, with features such as real-time booking, expense management, and travel policy enforcement.  The company aims to reduce the time and cost associated with business travel while providing a seamless and enjoyable experience for travelers.

In 2023, revenue grew 70% and gross profit 90% year over year as annual booking volumes reached $2 billion. The company also raised an additional $104 million in January 2024 at a valuation of $1.4 billion. 

2. SafetyWing

5-year search growth : 372%

Year founded : 2017

Location : Palo Alto, California

Funding : $47.1M (Series B)

What they do : SafetyWing is an insurtech company that focuses on digital nomads. Their flagship, "Nomad Insurance," is accepted across several different countries (ideal for travel). SafetyWing also offers a B2B "Remote Health" product that provides coverage for remote teams. In 2023, SafetyWing grew revenue to $20.3 million and served over 25,000 customers . 

5-year search growth : 99x+

Year founded : 2019

Location : Singapore, Singapore

Funding : $67.3M (Series B)

What they do : Airalo is an alternative to using multiple SIM cards while traveling. Specifically, the company offers over 190 affordable "eSIMs" that can be switched over with a few clicks. eSIMs aren't supported by all smartphones, but they are becoming an increasingly common feature in newer models. The SIM company recently raised $60 million in its most recent series B funding round. 

4. Roadsurfer

5-year search growth : 1,329%

Location : Munich, Germany

Funding : $33.9M (Series Unknown)

What they do: Roadsurfer rents customized camper vans in 13 European countries and, most recently, the United States. In addition to the core rental service, the startup offers a number of optional add-ons for each trip, like kitchen cutlery. Each plan also includes an insurance policy. Today, the company has 70 stations across Europe and North America .

5. YouLi (YouLive to Travel)

5-year search growth : 100%

Search growth status : Peaked

Year founded : 2016

Location : Melbourne, Australia

Funding : $200K (Angel)

What they do : YouLi is an all-in-one travel management software for organizing group trips and company retreats. The software includes a number templates for different types of travel itineraries. The software also has a member's area that travelers can use to manage and pay for their trips.

6. PickYourTrail

5-year search growth : 111%

Year founded : 2014

Location : Chennai, India

Funding : $3M (Series Unknown)

What they do : PickYourTrail is a platform for booking entire trips online (including flight, road transportation, and lodging). The startup reports that 46,000 people have used the service to date.

5-year search growth : 143%

Location : New York, NY

Funding : Undisclosed

What they do : Tracki is a travel tech startup that provides real-time GPS tracking solutions for individuals, families, and businesses. Their products range from portable GPS trackers to asset trackers and pet trackers, which can be easily monitored through their mobile app or web platform. The app has more than 500,000 downloads on the Google Play Store.

5-year search growth : 9,445%

Location : Rishon Letsiyon, Israel

Funding : $19.3M (Corporate Round)

What they do : Holisto is a digital travel agency that makes online hotel bookings more affordable and personalized for travelers. The company primarily leverages AI and machine learning to scan and aggregate hotel rates into one platform. In July 2024, the startup raised $10 million from Trivago .

5-year search growth : 2,400%

Year founded : 2018

Location : Madrid, Spain

Funding : $200.6K (Seed)

What they do : Holafly is an eSIM startup that offers international data plans for travelers. The company partners with local providers in different countries and offers unlimited data plans for a fixed time period. Currently, the startup operates in 160+ countries with 1 million customers worldwide. 

5-year search growth : -14%

Search growth status : Regular

Location : New York, New York

Funding : $181M (Series D)

What they do :  Away is a DTC travel brand. Often called the “Warby Parker for suitcases,” the company keeps overhead costs low by selling direct-to-consumer. Away's product line includes travel luggage, sleep masks, travel pillows and blankets, and compression socks.

5-year search growth : 326%

Location : Denver, Colorado

What they do : GOTRAX is an electric scooter company that provides affordable and eco-friendly transportation solutions for urban dwellers. With a range of electric scooters for adults and kids, GOTRAX offers a convenient and cost-effective way to navigate through busy city streets.

12. Lodgify

5-year search growth : 197%

Year founded : 2012

Funding : $36.6M (Series B)

What they do : Lodgify develops software that helps property owners manage their vacation rental properties. The all-in-one website includes features to manage bookings, accept reservations, and synchronize across different platforms, including Airbnb, Vrbo, and Expedia.

13. Bobobox

5-year search growth : 200%

Location : Badung, Indonesia

Funding : $13M (Non-Equity Assistance)

What they do : Bobobox is a technology-based hospitality startup that provides affordable and accessible capsule hotels for travelers in Indonesia. The company utilizes an app-based platform that allows customers to book and manage their stays, as well as access various hotel amenities and services.

Bobobox aims to revolutionize the hospitality industry in Indonesia by offering affordable and convenient lodging options that cater to the needs of modern travelers. The app has generated more than 1 million downloads on the Google Play Store. 

5-year search growth : 2%

Location : Bucharest, Romania

Funding : $1.8M (Seed)

What they do : Questo is a mobile app for iPhone and Android that gamifies city exploration. Users embark on "quests" to discover interesting spots and learn about local lore. Each quest is designed by a local "creator." The app currently offers quests in over 500 cities to more than 400,000 players. 

15. Bespoke

5-year search growth : 31%

Location : Tokyo, Japan

Funding : $2.5M (Series B)

What they do :  Bespoke  has developed an AI-powered chatbot designed for multilingual guest services. Their software provides hotel guests with answers to hotel-specific questions, local recommendations, and restaurant reservations. Bespoke was used by the Japanese government during COVID-19 to communicate critical health and safety updates to residents and travelers.

16. Tailos (Formerly Maidbot)

5-year search growth : 131%

Location : Austin, Texas

Funding : $50K (Series B)

What they do :  Tailos , formerly Maidbot, manufacturers a housekeeping robot (named Rosie) designed to clean hotels and commercial buildings. Rosie takes on "dull, dirty, and dangerous tasks", in order to reduce injuries to staff while increasing productivity and consistency.

17. TasteAtlas

5-year search growth : 833%

Location : Zagreb, Croatia

What they do : TasteAtlas is a food and travel startup that provides a comprehensive guide to traditional dishes, drinks, and ingredients from all over the world. The platform offers a database of authentic food recommendations and local restaurants to help travelers discover new cuisines and experiences. Additionally, TasteAtlas allows users to create their own food maps and share their culinary discoveries with others.

18. Roame Travel

5-year search growth : 7,200%

Search growth status : Exploding 

Year founded : 2023

Location : San Francisco, California

Funding : $500K (Pre-Seed)

What they do : Roame is a free award travel search engine that finds available flights that qualify for credit card points and miles redemption. Currently, Roame provides search results for 16 airline loyalty programs and 200 airlines . Users can upgrade to a premium membership to access the SkyView feature, a search function that finds flights within a 90-day search window. 

That wraps up our list of travel startups growing despite the hardships of the pandemic.

The trend away from traditional hotels and towards short-term rental properties, RVs, and campsites accelerated this year as more people work remotely and seek a change of scenery.

There is also a notable shift towards AI and automation, as hotels seek to cut costs and increase efficiency.

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30 Top Travel Startups to Watch in 2024

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The travel industry was hard hit by the pandemic, with travel startups facing sharp declines in demand at pivotal stages of their business. The companies that are thriving today are those that have quickly adapted to meet the ever-evolving needs of travelers.

From work retreats to staycations, innovation is the name of the game. These top travel startups are promoting tourism by making it more convenient, more eco-friendly, and simply more fun. There are plenty of opportunities for any entrepreneur, particularly as the public gets their second wind to get back out there and start exploring.

Best Travel Startups to Follow

Every year, new startups pull to the forefront of their industry through exciting innovation and industry-disrupting business models. We’ve rounded up the top travel startups of 2024 that startup lovers, investors, and aspiring entrepreneurs should follow.

Disclaimer: With so many exciting travel companies launching and growing worldwide, we aren’t able to cover them all. Furthermore, the startups that are listed below are not officially ranked and are listed in no particular order.

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• Location: San Francisco, California
• Founder(s): Francis Davidson, Lucas Pellan, Martin Picard
• Founded In: 2014
• Funding: Post IPO-Equity, $839.6 Million
• Investors Include: Principal Global Investors, BlackRock, Moore Capital

Sonder taps into a growing demand for unique places to stay. The company has a number of luxury properties in popular destinations around the world. What makes the company even more special is that the staff has adapted services based on how people travel today. Travelers can check-in, request towels, and get recommendations on what to do — all from their phones.

2. TravelPerk

• Location: Barcelona, Spain
• Founder(s): Avi Meir, Javier Suarez, and Ron Levin
• Founded In: 2015
• Funding: Series D, $530.3 Million
• Investors Include:  SoftBank Vision Fund, Greyhound Capital, General Catalyst

TravelPerk is a travel platform that helps business travelers manage their travel and expenses as well as book business trips with ease. The platform suits businesses of all sizes and streamlines the process of finding, booking, and planning business travel.

• Location: Singapore
• Founder(s): Ahmet Bahadir Ozdemir
• Founded In: 2019
• Funding: Series A, $67.3 Million
• Investors Include: Plug and Play , GO Ventures, Rakuten Capital

Airalo is providing a more flexible phone alternative no matter what country you’re in. Their eSIM store is the first of its kind, offering affordable, local rates for eSIM compatible phones, tablets, or PC computers. Customers never have to worry about carrying several SIM cards, changing their phone number, or losing communication capabilities with Airalo eSIM cards.

4. Tripsider

• Founder(s): Olga Bortnikova, Ivan Bortnikov
• Founded In: 2018
• Funding: Seed, $1 Million
• Investors Include:  Liqvest, Mission Gate, Starta

Next on our list of top travel startups is Tripsider , an app that matches people with the right trip based on everything from their interests to their budget. The company compares the algorithm to that of a dating app, taking into account values, past experiences, and goals to match people with a travel expert via text or phone call. Experts have resources to help travelers officially confirm their bookings, removing one more thing for vacationers to worry about.

5. BabyQuip

• Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico
• Founder(s): Fran Maier
• Founded In: 2016
• Funding: Seed, $10.7 Million
• Investors Include: Moai Capital, How Women Invest, SBI Investment

BabyQuip is a travel startup with a new take on the gig economy – providing a platform for baby gear rentals for traveling families. BabyQuip delivers all the necessary gear to wherever a family needs it – the airport, a hotel, or even the grandparents’ house. The company will tailor the equipment to each client’s needs, whether it’s a full-size crib, car seat, stroller, or anything else.

6. The Hotels Network

• Founder(s): Juanjo Rodriguez, Laura Martinez Celada, Marc Rollan Serrano
• Funding: Series B, $15.2 million
• Investors Include: Seaya Ventures, Elaia, 4Founders Capital, NFX

The Hotels Network is a platform that serves as a method of growth for hotels using technology to attract and convert online visitors to paying customers by creating a unique, personalized, and predictive user experience. Hotels can use the platform to compare reviews, pricing, analytics in order to create more impactful marketing campaigns.

• Location: London, United Kingdom
• Founder(s): Steve Domin, Tom Bates, Vincent Pastor
• Founded In: 2017
• Funding: Series B, $56.2 Million
• Investors Include: Index Ventures , Benchmark , Kima Ventures, Blossom Capital, et al.

Duffel is an online platform for travelers to find, book, and manage flights from a myriad of airlines. Working in tandem with airlines to provide a better customer experience, Duffel provides travelers with real-time pricing and availability to make booking a trip easier than ever.

• Location: Madrid, Spain
• Founder(s): Dennis Vilovic, Leonard Cremer
• Funding:  Series B, $11 Million
• Investors Include:  All Iron Ventures, Durable Capital Partners, Madrona Venture Group

Troop is a travel technology company that utilizes data to help corporations plan in-person meetings. Leveraging the power of science and technology, Troop makes planning in-person meetings for their Fortune 500 companies sustainable, safe, and secure.

9. roadsurfer

• Location: Munich, Germany
• Founder(s): Christoph Niemann, Markus Dickhardt, Susanne Dickhardt
• Funding: Series Unknown, $28.9 Million
• Investors Include : Lawrence Leuschner, Heartcore Capital, 10x Group, et al.

roadsurfer rents RV campers to outdoor lovers in Europe and America. The company stands for freedom and offers a number of perks to its customers, including unlimited mileage, a free second driver, road assistance, and flexible rebooking options. For anyone who dreams of getting away from it all and experiencing van life for a few months, this company is connecting people to the vehicles they need to hit the road.

10. Pickyourtrail

• Location: Chennai, India
• Founder(s): Hari Ganapathy, Srinath Shankar
• Funding: Venture, $3 Million
• Investors Include: Kumar Vembu, Vinay Ahuja, Girish Mathrubootham, Kunal Shah

Pickyourtrail is India’s largest online holiday booking platform for DIY travelers. People come here to customize their vacations by building unique itineraries from the ground up. The platform takes into account people’s interests, timelines, and budgets before crafting travel that will mesh with the individual’s tastes. The company also works with a number of tourism boards in popular locations, such as Iceland, Japan, and New Zealand, to create more streamlined experiences for all customers.

• Founder(s): Johannes Siebers, Michael Siebers, Rasmus Porsgaard
• Funding: Series E, $199.8 Million
• Investors Include: Venture Stars, Prime Ventures, EQT Ventures, et al.

Holidu is a website where vacationers can book accommodations at the lowest price. It was started by the founders after trying to find a place to stay in Portugal, only to find that many of the same properties were listed on different sites at different prices. Their platform makes it possible to search and book rental properties without having to worry if there was a better deal out there.

12. Whimstay

• Founder(s): Alexander Alioto, Ben Jamshahi, Kamesh Jasani, Noel Russell
• Funding: Seed, $10 Million
• Investors Include:  Talent Resource Ventures 

Whimstay is designed for last-minute travelers who want great deals. The app and website helps property owners and hosts match their unsold nights with travelers, so everyone can benefit from the search engine. The company is built on the premise that many of our favorite travel moments are entirely unplanned, and the platform boasts up to 60% savings off the original costs of rental properties.

13. Scenset

• Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Founder(s): Eli Bressert, Tamar van de Paal
• Funding: Seed, $5 Million
• Investors Include:  Cavalry Ventures, Project A Ventures

Next on our list of the best travel companies is Scenset . Most people take just under 3 weeks to book a trip, and while some people may love piecing it all together, most just want to just get it over with. Scenset personalizes your vacations with end-to-end planning with the help of travel curators. The team is there so travelers don’t have to skip from site to site, and these experts often deliver experiences that travelers would never have without their interference.

14. Boom Supersonic

• Location: Englewood, Colorado
• Founder(s): Blake Scholl, Joe Wilding, Joshua Krall
• Funding:  Series Unknown, $700 Million
• Investors Include:  Momentum Ventures, Prime Movers Lab, Caruso Ventures

Boom Supersonic is attempting to cut down on travel time by as much as half with supersonic jets. Travelers have the option of going from Tokyo to Seattle in as little as 4.5 hours (compared to 8.5 hours in a standard passenger plane). The company offers more than 500 transoceanic routes, allowing more people to test their boundaries and explore the world.

• Location:  Paris, France
• Founder(s): Aziza Chaouachi, Mario Moinet, Yassine Ben Romdhane
• Funding: Convertible Note, $22 Million
• Investors Include: Prime Ventures

Leavy allows people to live anywhere they’d like, if only for 24 hours or less. Though it was founded before the pandemic, the company is tapping into the idea of travel and affordability. The platform pairs customers with people willing to share their homes and pays cash to anyone who will open the door. While accommodation amenities vary, the barebones feature of Leavy is opening the door to people who might not have been able to afford travel otherwise.

• Location: Bucharest, Romania
• Founder(s): Alexandru Govoreanu
• Funding: Seed, $1.8 Million
• Investors Include: Early Game Ventures, Sparking Capital

Questo is a gaming app for travelers designed to help them explore cities and towns in an unusual way. So if an individual in London wanted to hunt down Jack the Ripper, they’re whisked away on an exciting quest, gathering clues in real time while learning about history at the same time. Games range depending on destination, so you can uncover the Midici conspiracy in Florence or discover the ghosts of Glasgow.

• Location: Berlin, Germany
• Founder(s): Naren Shaam
• Founded In: 2013
• Funding: Series E, $476 Million
• Investors Include: Lazard Asset Management, Stack Capital, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, et al.

Omio is a transportation app that gives travelers an easy way to travel long distances. It’s not designed for getting around a city but rather suggests nearby airports and train routes that would make it possible to cover serious ground at the drop of a hat. It helps travelers visualize the best routes to take based on everything from speed to price. Travelers can also access tickets on their phones for trains and planes, adding an extra layer of convenience.

18. Surf Air Mobility

• Location: Hawthorne, California
• Founder(s): Cory Cozzens, David Eyerly, Liam Fayed, Reed Farnsworth, Scott Craig Porter, Sudhin Shahani, Wade Eyerly
• Founded In: 2012
• Funding: Debt Financing, $563.7 Million
• Investors Include: IVP, Troy Capital, Sway Ventures, et al.

Surf Air Mobility is an environmentally friendly company that’s introducing the world to zero-emission flying with the help of electric vehicles. With more than 910 million tons of carbon on the line, the company is starting with existing aircraft. The staff replaces the standard engine with an electric version as a means to decarbonize the travel industry.

19. SafetyWing

• Location: Silicon Valley (Palo Alto, California)
• Founder(s): Hans Nyvold Kjellby, Lona Alia, Sarah Beyahte Sandnes, Sondre Rasch
• Funding: Series B, $47.1 Million
• Investors Include: Creandum, Alma Mundi Ventures, Kinnevik, et al. 

SafetyWing describes its products as insurance for nomads, by nomads. The company makes it possible for people outside their home country to get the medical help they need, including treatments needed for COVID-19, should they become ill or injured while abroad. People can even purchase insurance while they’re in a foreign country.

20. Wanderlog

• Founder(s): Harry Yu, Peter Xu
• Funding: Seed, $1.7 Million
• Investors Include: Y Combinator , Abstract Ventures, General Catalyst

Wanderlog is a free travel app that makes it possible for travelers to build and map their vacations. Designed for trips of all kinds, including the open road, it’s a way for people to keep all of their details organized so they know where they are, what they’re doing, and where they’re going at all times. Drive times, reviews, and reservations can all be tracked in one handy place, making it less likely that something will go wrong along the way.

• Founder(s): Oskar Bruening, Ruzwana Bashir
• Funding: Series C, $119.9 Million
• Investors Include : Eric Schmidt, 12 BF Global Ventures, Cathay Innovation, et al.

Peek helps tourism businesses book more people by offering handy software to take payments, market their services, and manage reviews. So far, the company has powered more than $1 billion in experiences (e.g., paddleboards, pottery classes, rafting, etc.). Their customers love the easy-to-use platform that makes it possible to both generate and track business.

• Location: New York, New York
• Founder(s): Anthony Menna, Greg Ramey, Mike Petrakis
• Funding:  Series A, $17 Million
• Investors Include:  Pritzker Group Venture Capital, Corazon Capital, Alumni Ventures

Batch  is designed specifically for bachelor or bachelorette parties. It helps the core planner track the details of the trip, so everyone can have a smooth experience. Trying to coordinate anything on a group trip like this can be an exercise in futility, but the app accounts for any number of scenarios, making it possible for people to have more fun before, during, and after the trip.

• Location: San Diego, California
• Founder(s): Breanne Acio, Jessica Shisler
• Founded In: 2020
• Funding: Seed, $3.1 million
• Investors Include: Crescent Ridge Partners Ventures, Storyteller Overland, Backstage Capital, et al

Sēkr is a mobile platform for outdoor lovers, making it easier, safer, and more communal to plan a trip and dig into the Great Outdoors. The company has more than 50,000 campsites included in its platform, making it the nation’s largest database of free campsites and local events. People can use it to learn more about what they can really expect at each site, and to connect to virtual friends with similar interests.

24. Point.me

• Founder(s): Adam Morvitz, Tiffany Funk
• Funding: Series A, $12 Million
• Investors Include:  Thayer Ventures, RiverPark Ventures, Plug and Play

Next up on our list of top travel startups is Point.me . With so many different types of airline miles and points out there, it can be difficult for travelers to keep track of all their rewards. As a result, they often end up losing out on their benefits, or cashing them in for a fraction of what they’re worth. Point.me scours the internet to find the absolute best deals for travelers who want to get the most from each and every point.

25. AvantStay

• Location:  Los Angeles, California
• Founder(s): Reuben Doetsch, Sean Breuner
• Funding: Private Equity, $686 Million
• Investors Include: Saluda Grade, Bullpen Capital, Capital One Ventures

AvantStay is a booking platform with unique properties that can be used for personal or commercial use alike. These are luxury rentals that feature unique amenities, including stunning interior design for groups. Excellent for family and company retreats or just a fun weekend trip between friends, AvantStay makes it possible for travelers to hammer down accommodation details and organize additional excursions as well (e.g., spa treatments, wine tastings, etc.).

26. Spotnana

• Founder(s): Sarosh Waghmar, Shikhar Agarwal
• Funding: Series B, $116 Million
• Investors Include:  ICONIQ Growth, Durable Capital Partners, Blank Ventures

Spotnana designs software to connect partners, suppliers, and providers, all in service of improving the booking experience for travelers. The idea is to unbundle travel, making it possible for travelers in the future to get anything they need without the hassle. The core values are freedom and trust, reintroducing choice to the traveler so they feel comfortable making any and all of their arrangements online.

27. Life House

• Founder(s): Rami Zeidan, Yury Yakubchyk
• Funding: Series C, $230 Million
• Investors Include: Tiger Global Management, Sound Ventures, Global Founders Capital

Life House is a vertically integrated operating system built for boutique hotels. It specifically supports three functions: hotel technology for operators, hotel management for owners, and hotel branding and positioning. With Life House’s powerful software, boutique hotels gain a suite of tools that can help streamline processes and increase their profitability.

28. Kindred

• Founder(s): Tasneem Amina, Justine Palefsky
• Founded In: 2021
• Funding: Series A, $22.8 Million
• Investors Include: Andreessen Horowitz, New Enterprise Associates, Bessemer Venture Partners

Kindred is a home-swap platform that connects travelers with other members to trade spaces or travel with credits they can earn by using the platform. With Kindred, hosts receive complimentary hosting essentials like towels, sheets, and lockboxes as well as free professional cleaning before and after guest stays. 

29. Hotelverse

• Location: Mallorca, Spain
• Founder(s): Rafael Bover, Fermin Carmona
• Funding: Seed, $3.92 Million
• Investors Include: Sabadell Venture Capital, Plug and Play

Hotelverse leverages technology to create an innovative booking experience for travelers. On the platform, users can explore hotel facilities, customize their room, do a flyover of their hotel, and book a room — all virtually using a realistic, 3D model. 

• Location: Vancouver, Canada  
• Founder(s): Connor J. Wilson 
• Founded In: 2020 
• Funding: Angel Investment, CA$1.1 Million

Pilot is a travel planning platform powered by artificial intelligence (AI). Using its free app, travelers can plan and collaborate with friends on trips by creating itineraries, planning routes, importing travel documents, and obtaining travel visas — all on one platform. Plus, the app works both online and offline thereby ensuring travelers can access important travel information at any time. 

What are travel startups?

Travel startups today are largely companies that lean on innovation to get noticed in a saturated landscape. Because we’re more reliant than ever on our devices, many of the companies on this list have tech that will drive tourism across the globe.

Whether by reducing carbon emissions, offering health insurance by phone, or making it easier to split costs, travel startups are tackling the small and big issues that stop travelers from fully committing to a trip.

What does the future of the travel industry look like?

The future of the tourism industry will be controlled by everything from global emissions to public health. However, based on the most popular startups today, one of the major trends is based on how people book their travel and how the details are managed. Travel is likely to become more customizable, more affordable, and less damaging to the environment.

What are some travel startup ideas?

Travel startup ideas are often born from personal experiences that people have with their own bookings. So maybe you have a difficult time scheduling a trip on a regular weekend. This leads to an idea that helps vacationers travel without having to take vacation time from work.

Or maybe you take your inspiration from global headlines. If gas prices rise drastically in your area, you can start an app that helps people take a staycation they’ll never forget.

How do you start a travel startup?

Beginning a travel startup will mean sketching out a business model with details about how you’ll monetize your idea and how much capital you’ll need to get started. You’ll need to know what kind of staff you’ll need, how much you can pay them, and what kind of collaboration will be needed to hit your milestones. From there, you’ll likely need to approach investors and secure funding.

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6 Travel Startups to Watch in 2024: Newcomers in Travel Tech!

The travel industry has transformed with technological advancements in recent years, paving the way for innovative startups. I'll take you through all the exciting new travel startups and how it's reshaping how people explore the world! 

The travel industry has grown bigger, better, and faster thanks to modern-day technology. Recent tech advancements have brought many advantages, both for businesses and travelers.

New startups are changing how we plan, book, and experience our journeys. They offer many services and solutions catering to modern travelers' needs. 

Travel startups include everything from budget-friendly itineraries to sustainable accommodations. Today, I'll take you into some up-and-coming travel startups changing how we travel. Having worked for a handful of travel startups myself, I can take you through the ins and outs of these exciting new companies. Let's go! 

What is a Travel Startup? 

New to the game? Don't worry, I've got you sorted. Let's get straight into the basics. 

A travel startup is a new company that uses innovative technology to provide products or services for travelers. These startups generally try to improve travel experiences by addressing modern travel needs. 

Travel startups can cover a range of areas within the travel industry, including: 

• Booking platforms
• Itinerary planning
• Accommodations
• Transportation 
• Sustainable travel
• Experiences
• Travel tech startups

Nowadays, lots of people are looking for tech jobs that travel. Navan, Sabre, Tracki, Expedia, and G Adventures are some of the best travel tech companies to work for. 

Categories of Travel Startups 

If you're considering working at a travel startup, you may wonder what types of jobs there are. The category of travel startups can range considerably. Here are examples of different categories to expect when working at a travel startup:

Online Travel Agencies (OTAS) 

These platforms allow travelers to book flights, hotels, rental cars, and more through a single website or app. This is useful for those looking for a hassle-free, all-in-one experience. 

Travel agency startups use technology to provide unique and personalized experiences. They offer everything from  planning a trip  and booking services to equipment. Here are some of the key features and trends in travel agency startups:

• Online platform 
• Personalized itineraries 
• Local experiences 
• Streamline booking for flights, accommodations, activities, etc. 
• Sustainable travel 
• Real-time assistance 
• Social sharing 

Group Travel 

Group travel startups streamline the process of planning and coordinating group trips. This makes traveling together easier for families, friends, or colleagues. If you've ever planned a group trip, you'll know startup travel companies like these are game changers. 

Accommodation Services 

Startups in this category hone in on unique and alternative lodging options. They might offer vacation rentals, boutique hotels, or home-sharing platforms. 

Transportation Services 

Startups provide innovative transport options and solutions. These could include ride-sharing, car-sharing, and peer-to-peer car rental services.

Activities and Experiences 

These startups connect travelers with local experiences, tours, activities, and events. Generally, these startups offer experiences that go beyond traditional tourist attractions.

Travel Planning and Itineraries 

Travel startup companies help travelers to plan and organize their trips. Often, they use AI to create personalized itineraries. Many top tech travel startups are using AI and machine learning-based platforms. 

Sustainable Travel 

Sustainable travel startups are focused on promoting eco-friendly and responsible travel practices. Startups in this space include carbon offset programs, sustainable accommodations, and environmental conservation.

Digital Nomad Services 

Digital nomad travel companies address the needs of remote workers and digital nomads. They offer services like co-working spaces, accommodation, and networking opportunities.

Travel Startups to Watch in 2024!

Now that you know the basics, let's explore some top travel startups that's looking to disrupt and change the way we'll travel in the near future!

Pilot is a social travel hub (AI-Powered) that helps groups discover, plan, book, and share trips together in one platform.

Pilot helps save time and money, helping people make the most of every trip.COVID made people realize they crave more experiences in the real world, not more social media. Travel is a great way to deliver that, as purchase behavior focus continues shifting from assets to experiences.

The abundance of marketplaces and travel blogs have created a fragmented UX that underserves traveler needs.

Today, the trip planning process is tedious and costly (time/money/stress), especially as most people travel in groups (2+ people). Travel is inherently social, yet no one is doing collaborative planning well. Yet, competitors continue to put paywalls on basic features like file uploads, or feel like checkout carts. Tools like TripAdvisor’s planner (which most don’t know about) aren’t flexible enough to replace Google docs/sheets.

Unlike competitors, Pilot is personalized, flexible, fun and free, monetizing via bookings & related services rather than charging the user directly. Starting with a social trip planner, Pilot will learn and adapt to you, enabling you to go on more trips with friends and family while making more in real life memories togehter!

Founding year:  2020

Location:  Canada 

Category:  Trip planning / Social Travel / Consumer Software

TravGeo  taps into the power of geo-tourism. This lets travelers explore a location's unique natural, cultural, and historical features. TravGeo offers guided tours and experiences focusing on the environment of a place.

Location:  USA 

Category:  Travel tech  

YouLi is reinventing group travel! If you've ever tried to assemble a group trip, you'll understand how challenging it can be. This travel startup company streamlines the process of planning group trips. It offers a centralized platform known as the "member's area."

Organizers can manage bookings, payments, and communication in this virtual space. YouLi also offers a lot of group discounts and deals. This makes group travel easy and enjoyable for families, friends, and corporate teams.  

Founding year:  2016

Location:  Australia

Category:  Group tour management 

TravelPerk 

TravelPerk  is a not-so-new startup that's tailored to corporate travel management. It offers real-time booking, managing, analyzing, and everything in between. With TravelPerk, corporate travel is made easy. It also offers event organization, refundable bookings, flexible options, and travel assistance. 

Read more about them in our review of TravelPerk here!

Founding year:  2015 

Location:  Spain 

Category:  Travel tech 

Roadsurfer 

Roadsurfer  rents out customized camper vans in 13 different European countries. On top of the rental service, this travel startup offers additional options for each trip. You can choose from a large fleet of well-equipped Class B RV rental options with different styles, sizes, and models. 

Founding year:  2016 

Location:  Germany  

Category:  Transportation 

Tracki  is a tech travel startup that offers real-time GPS tracking solutions. It provides services for families, individuals, and businesses. 

Tracki's product range includes pet, asset, and GPS trackers. All of these can be monitored through an easy-to-use mobile app or website.  

Founding year:  2005 

Interesting Facts About Travel Startups 

Want to learn more about travel startups? Here are some lesser-known facts about travel startups that might surprise you!

• There have been more than  1009 digital travel startups  established since 2015.
• More than  $27 billion  worth of investments were poured into travel companies from 2020 to 2022.
• Before the COVID-19 pandemic, there were approximately 65 million digital nomads worldwide. It is expected that in 2035, their quantity can rise up to  one billion .
• Startups providing services for short-term rentals, such as Airbnb or AvantStay, accounted for  55% of hospitality startup funding  in 2021.

Travel Startups and Beyond!

Now that you're up to speed on travel startups, you can start to craft your ideal travel experience for you, your family, and your friends. Give Pilot a try for free!

Disclosure : Pilot is supported by our community. We may earn a small commission fee with affiliate links on our website. All reviews and recommendations are independent and do not reflect the official view of Pilot.

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