travel community startups

30 Top Travel Startups to Watch in 2024

• Top Startups to Watch

Last Updated: May 10, 2024 By TRUiC Team

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.

Recommended: Learn how to launch your own company by reading our comprehensive guide on how to start a startup .

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.

23. Sēkr

• 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. 

Recommended:  Check out our full list of the  top startups to watch in 2024 !

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.

About the Author

The TRUiC Team

TRUiC’s team of researchers, writers, and editors dedicate hours to ensure startupsavant.com’s articles are actionable and accessible for both startup founders and startup enthusiasts. From launching a startup to growing your venture, you can trust that our information is an up-to-date and reliable source.

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22 amazing travel startups every traveler should know (2024), may 21, 2024.

The travel industry is going through a major shakeup thanks to some new travel startups that are simplifying the way we plan and enjoy trips and vacations.

Whether you’re a leisure traveler looking to elevate your next vacation or a business traveler wanting to maximize your experience, these travel startups have something valuable to offer to everyone.

What are travel startups?

From AI-powered recommendation engines to services that help you book amazing accommodations for a fraction of the price, these travel startups are using technology to upgrade our travel experiences.

SafetyWing provides global insurance tailored to location-independent lifestyles and remote workforces. Their flagship Nomad Insurance delivers comprehensive, affordable coverage for digital nomads traveling abroad long-term. This mobile-first plan offers health, dental, disability protections plus liability, luggage and other assurances valid in over 150 countries to facilitate living and working overseas without borders.

For companies employing remote staff, SafetyWing’s Remote Health insurance simplifies securing teams globally through a single customizable policy. By reinventing policies around flexibility, convenience and community not location, SafetyWing liberates the new decentralized workforce and globally mobile with financial safeguards enabling more individuals to live and operate at their best anywhere life guides them.

Founded in 2021, Skipper built tools to ease pain points in hotel transactions for both sides. Guests arrange stays quickly with flexible payment options while hotels enhance ownership of the customer relationship.

Skipper’s software centralizes bookings onto an easy-to-use, commission-free platform. Hoteliers gain automation with control – managing rates and availability internally while safely accepting various payment forms.

Founded in 2018, Airalo aims to replace expensive roaming plans and overseas SIM card hassles with easy eSIM data packages delivering low local rates in over 200 destinations.activation

By selling eSIM data like apps, Airalo provides flexibility impossible with physical SIMs. Their on-demand model caters to frequent flyers, remote workers, and global citizens who value connectivity.

Founded in 2019, Tripsider built an algorithm that asks users questions about their ideal trip to generate custom multi-day travel itineraries complete with hotels, activities, and transportation. Travelers can book instantly or modify suggestions.

By automating the trip planning and packaging process, Tripsider aims to simplify creating personalized, curated vacations. Their AI delivers the benefits of a travel agent in an easy mobile app.

Founded in 2015, Going uses technology and human expertise to uncover and vet cheap flight deals that can save members up to 90% off regular fares if booked quickly. Deals span major airlines as well as mistake fares.

By providing access to limited-time offers, Going enables members to travel more often for less. The deals newsletter caters to flexible travelers looking for affordable adventures, getaways, and trips home to visit family.

The Hotels Network

Founded in 2016, The Hotels Network offers an integrated suite of self-learning website tools to analyze visitor behavior and curate unique on-site experiences, driving conversion. Their technology aims to replace costly OTAs.

By optimizing the digital experience for each prospective guest, The Hotels Network empowers independent properties to compete with bigger chains. Their data-driven platform enables personalization at scale.

Launched in 2018, LOVU handpicks romantic hotels, activities, packages, and vendors while providing personalized recommendations and inspiration for crafting unique trips tailored to each love story and budget.

By becoming experts on destinations and experiences for romance travel, LOVU simplifies trip planning to help couples focus on connection. Their curated marketplace showcases dream locations worldwide.

Founded in 2017, Troop offers travel managers data tools combining predictive analytics with human expertise to manage in-person events, control costs, ensure Duty of Care, and report on carbon emissions across their travel program.

By centralizing travel data and applying intelligence, Troop enables strategically managed travel supporting employee productivity, sustainability initiatives, and compliance. Their technology delivers control over complex corporate travel ecosystems.

Pickyourtrail

Founded in 2014, Pickyourtrail allows users to craft personalized itineraries from scratch or customize suggested trip plans spanning sightseeing, food, adventure, culture and more. Travelers can book flights, hotels, activities, and more in just a few clicks.

By combining algorithmic recommendations with the freedom to personalize trips, Pickyourtrail aims to make travel planning effortless while putting travelers in control. Their tailored trips bridge the gap between pre-set packages and solo DIY planning.

Launched in 2020, Whimstay provides a platform for both hospitality providers to upload unsold room inventory at deep discounts and for travelers to find budget-friendly spontaneous lodging as they explore destinations. Deals cater to the flexible.

By enabling easy monetization of last-minute availability, Whimstay creates value for accommodation providers while giving travelers access to unused room capacity for less, optimized by their proprietary deal-scoring algorithm.

Fly Now Pay Later

Launched in 2019, Fly Now Pay Later partners with major travel brands to integrate installment payment options at checkout both online and in-destination. Approved customers can split their purchase from 3 to 24 months.

By providing flexible payment solutions, Fly Now Pay Later aims to make dream vacations more accessible and increase booking conversions and customer satisfaction for travel companies. Their model aligns extending credit with trip timing.

Founded in 2013, Omio centralizes travel inventory across providers into a unified search interface where travelers can check schedules and buy tickets spanning everything from budget buses to high-speed rail in one place, optimizing complex itineraries across multiple legs.

By aggregating disparate providers into a consistent experience, Omio simplifies planning and booking point-to-point travel across cities, countries, and continents. Their innovations provide a new booking standard for connected multimodal mobility in the digital age.

Founded in 2013, Surf Air introduced an innovative per-seat unlimited flight subscription allowing members hassle-free access to a private flight network spanning key regional business and leisure destinations. Their model maximizes aircraft utilization.

By pioneering “flying as a service” and electrifying their fleet, Surf Air aims to improve convenience and sustainability in regional travel underserved by commercial flights. Their innovations merge the benefits of aviation’s speed with ground transport’s flexibility.

Launched in 2017, Wanderlog makes planning group or solo trips incredibly easy by centralizing research, discussion, bookings, and coordination. Users can collaborate in real-time to build trips incorporating their must-sees and can’t misses.

By combining map-based visualization with synchronized planning tools, Wanderlog reimagines unwieldy travel organization for the digital era. Their app simplifies aligning travel priorities for seamless end-to-end trips.

Founded in 2016, Roadsurfer offers a peer-to-peer RV rental marketplace stocked with thousands of private and commercial vehicles in over 25 countries. Renters can add gear, unlimited mileage, and trip insurance during booking.

By granting access to a wide variety of recreational vehicles and trip configurations, Roadsurfer makes RV travel more accessible and tailored to each trip context and budget. Their data intelligence optimizes availability.

Launched in 2014, Tentrr partners with farmers, ranchers, vintners, and other private landowners to open up beautiful acres for outdoor lodging and recreation not otherwise open to the public. Guests book sites online.

By granting access to private lands, Tentrr unlocks one-of-a-kind camping for guests while providing new revenue streams for property owners. Their model expands lodging capacity benefiting both travelers and communities.

Founded in 2014, Lodgify offers an easy-to-use digital solution for managing listings, reservations, and guest stays across major channels like Airbnb and Booking.com as well as direct bookings. Their tools simplify operations.

By centralizing management of multiple income channels into one platform, Lodgify enables small vacation rental hosts and hotels to boost bookings and optimize pricing with less manual hassle interfering with guest experiences.

Founded in 2018, Bespoke develops natural language processing chatbots trained on hotel data that understand guest requests and can handle needs like answering common questions, booking restaurants, hailing rides, making reservations, and more around the clock.

By providing an automated yet individualized service layer, Bespoke aims to boost hospitality business revenue, loyalty, and operational efficiency using conversational AI trained on past guest interactions.

Founded in 2015, TravelPerk offers an intuitive interface consolidating corporate travel booking and administration under one system for improved visibility, savings, traveler satisfaction, and compliance. Their solution aims to transform travel into a customer-centric experience.

By combining traveler-friendly consumer interfaces with powerful travel manager functionality, TravelPerk delivers consumer-grade business travel tailored for each company’s needs and policies. Their innovations point to the next-gen of managed travel.

Founded in 2015, MyFlexBox deploys state-of-the-art automated pickup stations in high-demand areas that allow contactless courier dropoff and resident retrieval of deliveries using one-time access codes. This provides convenience along with security.

By streamlining delivery handoffs in a space-efficient way, MyFlexBox benefits residents, retailers, and shipping companies alike by reducing missed deliveries and staff time spent managing packages. Their network model scales access.

Founded in 2010, Exoticca combines proprietary algorithms sifting through billions of travel permutations with human expertise to deliver personalized trip recommendations matching travelers to customized itineraries incorporating must-see destinations at optimized value.

By tech-empowering tour package personalization, Exoticca provides a tailored alternative to rigid group trips and overwhelming DIY planning for cultural exploration. Their innovations blend customization with local know-how at scale.

Founded in 2013, Convious combines a direct booking engine, centralized reservation system, and analytics suite tailored specifically for tour, activity and attraction vendors. Their platform aims to modernize legacy leisure industry tech stacks.

By integrating siloed systems into an all-in-one solution, Convious helps vendors optimize online distribution and operations to boost direct bookings. Their industry focus provides deep functionality where generic software falls short.

What is Lorem Ipsum?

From platforms extracting big data to curate ultra-personalized trips to services scoring you jaw-dropping deals on hotels, these travel startups  are replacing travel stress with travel bliss.

Discover more creative startups that might interest you:

• Engineering startups are changing the world with creative solutions.
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18 Companies & Startups Revitalizing Travel in 2024

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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 : 172%

Search growth status : Exploding

Year founded : 2015

Location : Barcelona, Spain

Funding : $530M (Series D)

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 : 9,800%

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 : 900%

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 : 22%

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 : 23%

Search growth status : Regular

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 : 400%

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.

8. Very Local Trip

5-year search growth : 300%

What they do :  Very Local Trip connects travelers with local tour guides. In other words, the startup is a focused version of Airbnb's "Experiences" feature. Currently, the startup offers experiences all over the world in Asia, Europe, North America, and the Middle East. 

5-year search growth : 3,233%

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 : 6%

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 : 284%

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 : 217%

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 : 325%

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 : 10%

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 : 8,700%

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 : 14%

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 : 1,400%

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

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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50 🔥 Travel Startups

Here's our list of hot travel startups to watch in 2022.

👏 Thanks to over 3000 voters from 88 countries 🎉 Official results below — congrats to the Top 10 😅 See how close the competition was in this cool visual

🦄 The #1 upvoted startup wins 0.005 Bitcoin (~$250 USD) 👍 One voter (random) will win 0.001 Bitcoin (~$50 USD) 🚨 Voting has closed (December 19 at 23:59 UTC)

🦄 1. Tripsider (formerly YouTravel.me)

🏆 2. NaviSavi

🏅 4. yolovivo

🏅 5. Troupe

🏅 7. Floodin PRO

🏅 8. socialbnb

🏅 9. Ask A Local

🏅 10. SafeScore

Global Convoy

Eddy Travels AI Assistant

Nomad Stays

Travel Creators

GetAboutAble

Travel Kollekt

Map Your City

Room Steals

World Views

Local Purse

I like local

Guess Where Trips

The Work From Anywhere Team

Unearthed Retreats

Paradise Ride

What's The Plan

Yūgen Earthside

Trip.Social

Visit Dark Skies

Competition rules . If there is a draw, the prize will be split evenly between the winning startups. To be in the draw to win 0.001 BTC you must upvote at least one of the startups, and have a completed profile. The winners will be announced in the weekly newsletter and contacted via email. Good luck!

Related Travel Research

The state of travel startups 2022.

Free for Open Access Subscribers

Phocuswright has tracked the digital travel startup landscape for well over a decade, and innovation in the travel industry has flourished during this period. Though the pandemic has proven to be a challenging period for funding, a significant comeback has occurred – with record funding recorded in 2021. Still, questions remain about the stability of the upswing as inflation and market uncertainty grow. Analysis of travel startups covers those founded since 2012 and includes funding rounds raised by these companies through May 2022. Leveraging Phocuswright’s proprietary interactive database, this updated report provides a comprehensive assessment and outlook for travel startups in today’s dynamic environment. Specific topics covered include:

• Analysis by year, type, region and category
• Funding activity by stage
• Market trends driving investment
• Focus on key verticals

To explore the data behind this analysis, please check out  The State of Travel Startups Interactive Database .

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Travel startups: Disruption from within?

Startups play an essential role in spearheading innovation that benefits consumers, businesses, and industries. But travel startups have been underfunded when compared to startups in other sectors. Looking back over the past 15 years, the travel and tourism industry received around 1 percent of funding for startups across all industries. 1 McKinsey analysis based on PitchBook Data, Inc.. This relatively low level of investment stands out in contrast to the industry’s size: Travel and tourism contributed to over 10 percent of global GDP in 2019. 2 “Travel & Tourism: Economic impact 2022,” World Travel & Tourism Council, June 14, 2022. These factors suggest that it’s a tough industry in which to raise money.

Despite these funding challenges, and unprecedented industry uncertainties, over $27 billion worth of investments were poured into travel companies from 2020 to 2022. In fact, in 2021, investment set a new record of just under $11 billion—indicating that investor appetite has not only returned to pre-COVID-19 levels, but even surpassed it.

About this research

Analysis is based on information obtained from the Phocuswright startup database. Funding was analyzed from 2005 to 2022 YTD (including November 2022), based on a sample of 3,865 startups. This included 6,395 funding rounds, accounting for $76 billion in funding (exhibit).

Given this context, a new report Travel startups: Disruption from within–or not? presents an overview of the travel startup environment, and how the funding landscape has evolved across geographies, and across the different types of travel startups. Analysis is based on information obtained from the Phocuswright startup database and draws on insights from industry executives (see sidebar, “About this research”).

The report examines the kinds of investors that are funding these startups—and the types of businesses they choose for investment. It also puts forward possible future scenarios that would have implications for travel companies and stakeholders in the startup space. This article presents some of the key findings.

Fewer travel startups are attracting funding, but when they do, they secure a substantial amount

Even though funding may be hard to come by, compared to other sectors, investors are interested in travel and tourism. Investment in travel startups has returned to pre-pandemic levels and has even surpassed record-breaking years in the past, such as 2015 and 2019. These peaks were achieved through significant acquisitions that may have consolidated the market. For instance the online travel agency Expedia acquired HomeAway for $3.9 billion in 2015. 3 “Expedia to acquire HomeAway, Inc.,” Expedia media statement, PR Newswire, November 4, 2015.

Furthermore, funding per round has increased over the past decade from an average of around $4 million in 2010 to $20 million in 2022, with the steepest increase seen during the pandemic (Exhibit 1). This indicates that fewer travel startups could be attracting funding, but when they do, they secure a substantial amount. In essence, the relatively small amount of funding that exists is shifting toward fewer startups.

Funding has shifted toward more mature startups

Q&a with johannes reck, ceo of getyourguide.

Johannes Reck is CEO of GetYourGuide, a Berlin-based online travel agency and online marketplace for tours, attractions, and excursions. The company’s website and app connects travelers with activity providers around the world, offering thousands of products in more than 20 languages, and 40 currencies. He shares his views on the investment landscape for travel startups:

What patterns have you noticed regarding investment in travel startups?

At a high level I would say that too little VC money flows into travel altogether, probably due to the market cap that has been realized, and that startups in the scaling phase still have to demonstrate profitability to attract funding. It’s also important not to generalize the way we think about startups—they range in size and maturity from two employees to major disruptors. Essentially, if innovation is not yet proven, then there is little or no money coming in, and this is especially true in Europe.

Are certain types of startups attracting more investor interest than others?

There are category leaders emerging in many areas, such as flights, accommodation, and experiences. I think investors have no appetite to pour money into a number three or four in any given category. And because of the global network effect in travel, it’s really difficult to design a new category. For instance, the chance that a new company could fundamentally disrupt an established concept such as Airbnb, or Booking.com, is limited because of the network effect that locks in global supply and demand—and that’s what makes category leaders so defensible.

Furthermore, there is a perception that as large firms are so big, they can do everything, and that may scare away a lot of investors from betting on a smaller innovative company. The presence of large incumbents may stifle innovation—but startups have a central role to play in this regard and can benefit the entire industry.

What role do you think travel companies could play in the startup landscape?

I think travel companies have to invest in innovation now, otherwise they could be worse positioned in a future crisis. Essentially, travel companies could look at how investing in startups could strengthen all areas of their value chain. They could also focus on the value that innovation will bring to the industry, instead of investing only with profit in mind.

That said, there may be room for travel companies to look at M&A. There is much less competition, compared to pre-COVID-19, and acquisition is now much more efficient. This means that companies could be in a position to grow—much faster and with less effort.

Across industries, later-stage funding (i.e., Series B, C, D) has made up the majority of startup investment (Exhibit 2). Between 2020 and 2022, more acquisitions (e.g., Getaroom.com and On Location Experiences) and public financing rounds (e.g., Sonder and Vacasa) took place than in previous years. This could be symptomatic of a trend: Investors may want to back category leaders that have reached scale (See sidebar, “Q&A with Johannes Reck, CEO of GetYourGuide”).

Hospitality startups remain the leading category for investment

Most recent funding has been channeled to hospitality startups, making up 49 percent of investment between 2015 and 2019, and 41 percent between 2020 and 2022. This is likely due to the rising popularity of short-term rentals. Startups providing services for short-term rentals, such as Airbnb or AvantStay, accounted for 55 percent of hospitality startup funding in 2021.

Business travel startups doubled their share of investment during the pandemic, and within this category, startups in the corporate segment, such as the expense-management software provider Divvy, secured 98 percent of funding between 2020 and 2022. The MICE segment received the remaining 2 percent, likely due to the decrease in events during the pandemic.

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In the same period, booking and transport startups lost some share of funding as investor priorities may have shifted during the crisis. In the booking category, online travel agency businesses secured 90 percent of funding.

Overall, the pre-trip category remains the least funded, having attracted 1 percent of total funding in the past seven years. Within this category, startups in insurance attracted 84 percent of funding in 2021 (Exhibit 3).

Travel companies account for a relatively small percentage of travel startup funding

Since 2015, five categories of investors have funded travel startups:

• Angel and private investors: These investors oversaw 138 rounds of capital raising totaling $3.6 billion between 2015 and 2021.
• Banks and the public sector: These institutions oversaw 125 funding rounds, totaling $6.4 billion. Much of this funding took place in 2021, likely due to pandemic-related bailouts and large rounds of debt funding.
• Venture capital (VC) and VC-orientated private equity (PE) firms: This group raised 2,090 rounds of funding, totaling $72 billion.
• Travel companies: These are frequently in-house incubators or joint ventures that provide potential businesses with direct support. Travel companies raised $7.8 billion in investment through 389 rounds.
• Non-travel companies: Despite not being in the tourism sector, these companies raised more money ($12.5 billion) in 264 rounds than their travel-industry counterparts.

Overall, VCs have been the leading investor category, and spent nine times more than travel companies in 2021. Since 2015, travel companies accounted for a relatively small percentage of startup funding, and this has decreased in recent years, dropping from 18 percent in 2020 to 5 percent in 2021.

Between 2015 and 2019, VCs and PEs invested at least twice as much per funding round compared to travel companies. Average funding size was roughly $37 million for VCs and PEs, compared to $17 million for travel companies. This leveled out between 2020 and 2022 where both groups invested approximately $30 million on average per funding round.

In 2021, banks greatly increased their investment share and matched VC investments, likely driven by increases in debt funding (Exhibit 4).

The travel industry could benefit from supporting startups

To date, travel companies have played a very small role in investing in the industry. As startups generally spearhead innovation, travel companies could take up opportunities to support startups—and reap the benefits. Furthermore, by not supporting, or finding ways to engage other players in the industry, travel companies may be missing an opportunity to shape the next generation of travel businesses. And as the investment landscape becomes tougher, travel companies are well placed to ensure that the innovation pipeline continues to flourish, even if VCs and larger players withdraw.

Travel companies could become more involved in investing in the industry and bring their expertise to bear on innovation and the sorts of capabilities and technologies that may be needed. And they stand to gain from leveraging startup capabilities in-house. Research into collaboration between corporates and startups in other industries shows that both parties stand to benefit. Startups can benefit from corporate funding, resources, and customer access, while corporates may need the innovation that startups offer to stay ahead of competitors and disruption, and also to access new technology. 4 “Collaborations between corporates and startups,” McKinsey, May 2020.

Three possible future scenarios could materialize in light of the trends in travel startup funding.

• Incumbent-driven consolidation: In this scenario, sustained emphasis on short-term profitability due to inflation and increasing cost of capital would make it difficult for travel startups to attract funding and gain ground in the industry. Funding rounds would be smaller due to early exits, closures, bankruptcies, or consolidation by established and scaled technology-driven firms. Established players would focus more on developing products and services that can be scaled globally and less on optimizing backend processes where rapid scale-up is potentially more challenging, such as manual check-in processes in hotels. This situation would lead to less innovation across the industry. In the long run, reduced innovation due to less startup diversity may require more in-house innovation for optimizing backend processes and technology.
• Emergence of multiple niche startups: Early-stage startups would see sustained and potentially increased funding, while funding for startups in the later stages would plummet. This could lead to an exit wave across later-stage startups due to bankruptcies. At the same time, a wave of new, more diversified, startups could emerge that aim to tackle a variety of niche problems in the industry, such as core technology elements. The result could be an even broader but more fragmented ecosystem of new industry players, leading to higher levels of innovation throughout the industry. Travel companies could acquire distressed startups, at lower valuations, which would boost in-house innovation and allow incumbents to provide new offerings.
• Travel startups golden 20s: In this scenario, travel startups across all growth stages and categories would see continuous increases in funding and growth. There would also be an increase in larger investments aimed at developing technology and core industry processes such as AI-enabled fulfillment, and disruption management. Innovation could flourish across the industry. In this fast-growing landscape, competition for funding would intensify and investors’ expectations around performance could increase. At the same time, collaboration would become more complex due to the diversified landscape of partners and suppliers. Established businesses would need to build in-house innovation capabilities organically or acquire them. Differentiation would become more difficult and several leading incumbents may be replaced by new challengers in the market.

However the future pans out, support for startups can boost innovation and strengthen the travel and tourism value chain, for all participants.

Giuseppe Genovese is a consultant in McKinsey’s Dallas office, Evgeni Kochman is an associate partner in the Frankfurt office, Vik Krishnan is a partner in the San Francisco office, and Nina Wittkamp is a partner in the Munich office.

The authors wish to thank Karel Dörner, Markus Berger-de León, Patrick Naef, and Christian Dominka, for their contributions to this report.

The authors also wish to thank Hollis Thomases, a senior research analyst at Phocuswright, Chetan Kapoor, a research analyst Asia Pacific at Phocuswright, and Johannes Reck, CEO of GetYourGuide.

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18 Best Travel Startups to See the World And Work Remotely

As the world continues to transition to a hybrid workforce environment, there are many travel startups that give you a sense of community, and office like vibe while being able to work remotely. Remote working is more and more becoming the norm for the next generation of the global workforce. Whethe

Remote Year

The wander working experience, venture with impact, moving worlds, have fun do good, coworkation, urban adventures, off-season travel, thread caravan.

As the world continues to transition to a hybrid workforce environment, there are many travel startups that give you a sense of community, and office like vibe while being able to work remotely.

Remote working is more and more becoming the norm for the next generation of the global workforce.

Whether you’re a social entrepreneur, freelancer, or creative there are many great travel startups out there that make it easy for your work and travel adventures.

You can choose to travel to remote parts of the world or to some of the most classic cities the world has ever known.

According to UpWork, 36% of the US workers (57.3 million) are freelancers who work remotely.

They collectively contribute $1.4 trillion to the economy every year! By 2020 43% of the U.S. workforce will be freelancers.

Working remotely can certainly have its benefits.

One of those of course is travel.

The ability to work remotely anywhere in the world that has a wifi connection can be very powerful.

This creates the ability to see new cultures, learn new languages, discover new foods, and create a new influx of economic development for places around the world that have not traditionally had tourism dollars coming in.

This clearly shows a shift in the want to travel globally. In turn, this global discovery tour has no doubt enabled social entrepreneurs, freelancers, and creatives, to get even more creative and build things they may have never thought they would.

I believe we are seeing a fundamental shift in how humanity and global economies will exist in the next couple of decades.

Creating global businesses, relationships, and teams has never been more achievable.

Best Travel Startups for Remote Work

Remote Year is a pioneering travel startup that has revolutionized the way people work and explore the world simultaneously.

Offering innovative work and travel programs, Remote Year brings together a community of digital nomads who are able to maintain their jobs while embarking on an immersive journey to various international destinations.

The company curates unique itineraries that span multiple months, allowing participants to experience the culture, sights, and experiences of different cities while working remotely.

With a strong emphasis on building connections, Remote Year provides a supportive environment for professionals to collaborate, network, and create lasting memories together.

Whether in bustling urban centers or off-the-beaten-path locales, Remote Year enables individuals to achieve a harmonious balance between work and adventure, opening up a world of possibilities for remote work and global exploration.

Selina presents an expansive global network of boutique hostels, co-working spaces, and wellness experiences that cater to the needs of modern travelers seeking both work and adventure.

With a focus on creating vibrant and inspiring environments, Selina’s offerings are tailor-made for those who wish to work remotely while immersing themselves in diverse cultures and stunning landscapes.

From dynamic co-working spaces that foster collaboration to thoughtfully designed accommodations that promote comfort and creativity, Selina provides an all-encompassing ecosystem for digital nomads and remote workers.

Whether it’s the chance to work by the beach, in a bustling city center, or amidst tranquil natural surroundings, Selina ensures an enriching experience that combines productive work with meaningful exploration.

Roam is a coliving and coworking community testing the boundaries between work, travel and life adventure. Starting at $500 per week, you gain access to incredible coliving spaces and local communities around the world.

Come and go as you please. Every room includes a private bathroom and is fully furnished with a queen or king-sized bed. Roam provides sheets, towels, and all the other little things you need to feel at home.

The battle-tested, high-speed Internet extends to every corner of your private space.

Lokal Travel stands as an innovative online booking platform, seamlessly uniting explorers with authentic and sustainable encounters spanning the globe.

In close collaboration with thoughtfully chosen family-operated enterprises, community cooperatives, and impactful social initiatives, every Lokal Travel experience leaves a direct positive influence on the local community, all while offering travelers an unparalleled journey.

From breathtaking expeditions to Amazon ecolodges to serene sojourns in familial Himalayan guesthouses, Lokal Travel streamlines the process of booking a myriad of extraordinary trips.

These journeys not only bolster local communities but also contribute to the conservation of nature and the preservation of cultural legacies.

Outsite was founded to serve a new kind of traveller looking to integrate their life and their work. Outsite offers flexible living arrangements, community on your terms, and a beautiful home at an affordable price – whether you’re down the street or across the globe.

Currently, Outsite has 17 spaces in locations both in the USA and internationally , ranging from jungle villas and beachfront apartments to mountain hideaways and urban homes-from-home.

Outsite features the right amenities and design to make each stay as productive, restorative, social, or fun as you desire.

The Wander Working Experience is the first 30-day co-working vacation tailored specifically for social entrepreneurs. The Wander Working Experience was created from a deep desire to help those who are using their business and themselves as a force for good.

Taking groups of 25-30 social entrepreneurs, conscious companies, and change-makers on a co-traveling, co-creating, co-living, co-working, and collaborating 30-day curated life-changing experiences in amazing locations around the world.

WiFi Tribe has grown into a bold, beautiful, tight-knit community filled with like-minded, adventure seeking professionals across the globe .

How does it work? Members choose how many weeks they want to do within 12 months – one, two, three to five, or six or more. Once accepted as a member, you can join wherever you want in the world, stay for several chapters in a row, or pick and choose chapters across the year.

Of course, you can also hop between continents and switch rooms (private vs. shared) anytime. Whether an entrepreneur, consultant, freelancer or creative, everyone who wants to join, needs to come with one shared intention: To become a valuable part of a thriving global community!

Venture with Impact, a social enterprise providing international skilled-based volunteering programs for remotely working professionals launches new project destinations and business partnerships.

Responding to the increasing need of working professionals to find a purpose in their careers and create positive impact with their skills and expertise, Venture with Impact (VWI) opened two new programs in Chiang Mai, Thailand and Lisbon, Portugal running from May and August.

The startup arranges co-working space, accommodation, and skills-based volunteering experiences for professionals that live and travel in a country for one month while continuing to work for their jobs back home.

MovingWorlds operates as a dynamic social impact entity that addresses the global talent gap by bridging the divide.

This online platform and thriving community form a nexus that directly connects individuals eager to travel and contribute their expertise with social impact organizations spanning the globe.

The avenues for lending your skills span a multitude of sectors: be it accounting, web design, social media marketing, business and sales strategy, IT training, video editing, or SEO specialization.

With MovingWorlds, you have the incredible chance to offer your skills to startups and organizations across the world, creating meaningful impact.

Maintaining a high standard, MovingWorlds curates professionals and organizations with care. These curated talents and entities engage seamlessly through the online platform, facilitating the discovery of apt “Experteering” opportunities.

Have Fun Do Good (HFDG) stands as a purpose-driven travel and event enterprise that embraces the impact of volunteerism via distinctive and immersive opportunities.

Through their offerings of travel excursions and corporate events, they bring forth experiences that deeply involve participants in meaningful service. Regardless of whether you’re journeying to distant lands or opting for local involvement, HFDG is your comprehensive solution for diving into volunteerism.

They handle every aspect, from meticulous planning and connections to impactful charities and causes, to arranging accommodations that fit the bill. And, of course, they infuse a sense of enjoyment into every endeavor.

GoodTrip comprises a collective of experts in travel, community development, and ecology. Their core focus lies in responsible international travel and tourism, offering a unique blend of experiences.

Their approach entails leading you through journeys that foster discovery and meaningful connections, all while minimizing your ecological footprint and maximizing the positive impact you leave on the lives you encounter.

Specializing in authorized “People to People” travel experiences in Cuba, immersive Spanish language programs in Guatemala, and expert-guided trips to both Guatemala and Panamá, GoodTrip caters to a range of interests and passions.

Whether your preferences lean towards exploring architecture, birdwatching, dance, diving, history, music, yoga, adventure, or language acquisition, GoodTrip has the capability to curate a tailor-made itinerary that perfectly aligns with your desires.

Alternatively, you can embark on a shared adventure by joining one of their open trips, allowing you to discover your global interests alongside like-minded explorers.

GlobeKick brings to life adventure travel trips for the adventurous. Their travel gurus design and lead different 1week trips, every month, to a different place around the world. Adventure trips are open to GlobeKick Members only. Annual membership is $695 and includes:

1. One GlobeKick adventure of your choosing: anywhere we go, whenever we’re there, with a group of GlobeKickers from around the globe.

2. Lifetime access to GlobeKick Connect — GK’s social networking platform for travelers.

3. 15% discount (ie, $590 price-tag) on any additional adventure trips you’d like to join during your membership

4. One personalized, custom-designed GlobeKick adventure-itinerary anywhere in the world.

Inspiring people in inspiring places do inspiring things. Pop-up coworking spaces in exotic locations. “Going to the office” has a new meaning!

Coworkation wants to bring awareness to the new way of living and working that enables more freedom and whereby people can live life on their terms. Short, 1-2 week trips where every aspect of the coworkation is designed with the codes of Coworkation in mind.

Made In Tours by Urban Adventures marks Intrepid Travel’s significant stride in bolstering local economies through tourism.

Each tour within this initiative is meticulously crafted by locals themselves, ensuring an authentic and immersive experience.

These tours encompass visits to small, independent businesses, fostering a direct connection between travelers and local communities.

With a legacy of 25 years in the adventure travel industry, Intrepid Travel has been a trailblazer in guiding explorers beyond the conventional paths to uncover the world’s most extraordinary destinations.

Operating across more than 100 countries and offering over 1,000 diverse trips across every continent, this Melbourne-based tour operator is amplifying its efforts to facilitate support for local enterprises, facilitate genuine and one-of-a-kind day excursions, and utilize the influence of travel as a positive and impactful force.

Off Season Adventures operates as a wildlife and community tourism entity headquartered in the United States, with a special emphasis on inviting travelers to explore Tanzania during its off-peak periods.

This unique approach not only offers a distinctive travel experience but also empowers local entrepreneurs engaged in the tourism sector.

The core philosophy of Off Season Adventures centers around crafting unforgettable journeys for their patrons, while also upholding their commitment to sustainability and responsible travel.

For every excursion arranged by Off Season Adventures, a carbon offset initiative is implemented. Furthermore, a portion of the revenue generated is allocated to support the neighboring communities surrounding the visited lodging facilities.

This contribution aids in the enhancement of water and waste management systems, access to electricity, educational resources, and improved health services.

Thread Caravan employs local artisans to continue practicing their craft without the pressure to sell the goods they produce.

This allows for appreciation of the process, and for travelers to learn about traditional craft production in communities where various crafts have originated and have been practiced for generations.

Their 5 – 7 night trips, which can also be customized for groups, also include adventurous activities such as sailing, hiking volcanoes and visiting ancient ruins.

Presenting Hara House, the inaugural zero waste guesthouse in North India, committed to transforming the consumption habits of both locals and travelers, whether they are at home or abroad.

A significant portion—20%—of the proceeds generated from guest room bookings and tours are dedicated to supporting environmental initiatives and educational endeavors in North India through the Hara Innovation Fund.

This dynamic social enterprise manages an inclusive onsite community center, fostering collaboration with regional social entrepreneurs by furnishing them with essential resources, workspace, and financial backing for their innovative projects.

They collaborate with local governments to establish tangible, on-site communities, enhancing local economies and fostering enriching experiences.

As Digital Nomads themselves, they forge genuine on-site communities across the globe, uniting individuals who are motivated, enthusiastic, and relish the combination of travel and meaningful connections.

They manage the renowned NomadX Private Travel Community, a platform where they provide insights, advice, and exclusive deals to their community members.

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The 12 Travel Startups to Watch Out For In 2021

No one could have anticipated what 2020 had in store for us. When COVID-19 was declared a pandemic, back in March, the travel and hospitality industries were among the sectors that were hit the hardest, having to navigate one of the worst crises in history. Several travel corporations and startups went through difficult layoffs in the weeks and months to follow - most notably Airbnb and TripActions. The industry as a whole quickly realized that this pandemic would have lasting effects and change the way we travel for the foreseeable future.

The good news is that there are signs of recovery as we near the end of 2020 and look ahead to 2021. On the startup front, Airbnb’s long-awaited IPO is sure to give travel industry partners a tailwind, proving that despite a global pandemic, “getting away” is not just a luxury, but has rather become a necessity for many. Adding to this, the growing concept of “working from anywhere” is changing how we think of accommodations - being more than just a place where we sleep and get away for the weekend.

Do you want to meet a curated selection of startups in travel? Get in touch with us

In the travel industry, 2020 has been a year where many companies have raised funds to "survive" the current pandemic - if they even had the ability to raise. The latest data from Crunchbase shows that both the number of funding rounds and the average dollar amounts raised by venture-backed travel startups have declined this year. Early-stage startups were the hardest hit with less fresh venture capital money going towards backing companies at this stage.

However, “in the midst of every crisis lies an opportunity,” and we, at Plug and Play, are firm believers that there will be many winners born out of the pandemic. We’ve listed out 12 travel startups below that are redefining the travel and hospitality space and that we think are worthwhile to keep an eye on in 2021 .

Purchasing international data plans when traveling can be frustrating. Buying a local SIM card can be a tedious process and carriers like AT&T tend to charge a huge fee to use data plans abroad. Airalo is here to change that, as the world’s first eSIM store. Almost all new smartphones are being offered with an eSIM, a SIM that’s already embedded inside the device. Airalo is an eSIM marketplace that smartphone users can use to buy temporary mobile data plans when traveling abroad. Airalo’s mobile data plans are completely separate from your standard mobile data plan and run on a local network.

“Contactless” has been the theme of 2020 and will continue to be for at least the first part of 2021. Ditto is a distributed database for cross-platform apps to sync even without an internet connection. With Ditto , your apps can sync directly with each other during outages, crashes, or in mobile not-spots. Since the pandemic hit, Ditto has seen a surge of interest from airlines.

Amenitiz is an all-in-one platform for the hospitality industry. This travel startup ’s solution centralizes all the tools that any hotelier would need to run its property into a single, easy-to-use platform: a PMS, a website builder with a fully-integrated booking engine, and a channel manager. The main value proposition is the platform’s convenience, allowing hotels to increase direct bookings, save costs, with a great UX. The company has more than 1,200 clients across Europe.

Meetings and events planning have become increasingly complicated. Troop aggregates thousands of data points, enabling corporate travel managers and meeting planners to select event destinations based on objective intelligence rather than just opinion. The platform of this travel startup optimizes destination selection based on cost, travel time, ease of travel, visa requirements, and carbon footprint, among other factors. Now, Troop is adding functions to surface safety and security information to address the risk side that becomes part of the equation.

Facial recognition and biometric identification technology could play a pivotal role in how “immunity” or “health passports” might work. One of the leaders in this space is Yoti , who allows consumers to take control of their digital identity by creating a reusable ID on their smartphone that can be shared multiple times with organizations on the Yoti platform. It is a GDPR/CCPA compliant solution, available in 6 languages and accepts passports and photos from 165 countries.

The Hotels Network

In today’s environment, hotel brands need to take innovative approaches in order to increase their direct bookings. The Hotels Network enables hoteliers around the world to increase direct bookings by using predictive personalization to offer each guest a unique user experience. The company has developed a predictive algorithm for hotels, capable of analyzing the visitor's interactions in real-time and predicting the action they intend to take on the website before they do so. This enables hotel owners and marketers to change the messaging on their websites in real-time, personalizing the experience for website users. The Hotels Network works with more than 5,000 hotels across 96 countries.

Smooss helps travel companies (especially airlines) to increase revenue and improve customer experience thanks to tailor-made solutions designed on top of reservation systems. This travel startup currently has two main products: an upselling platform and a disruption recovery solution. Smooss enables easy rebooking with its universal “Disruption Recovery” solution and enables a personalized revenue opportunity through its Smooss Ancillary Platform.

As more employees work remotely, companies are finding it difficult to recognize and reward them. Blueboard solves this problem, offering a rewards and recognition platform that is providing a curated experience that employers can bestow on their employees and top performers. Virtual cooking classes, skydiving, snorkeling, you name it, Blueboard’s concierge service is here to handle all of the logistics.

Port is another travel startup that will shape 2021 . Curious travelers want to experience and learn about different places in the world, however, there are many tour and travel experiences not within reach if you are unable to travel (for financial, time or physical reasons). Port enables travelers and working professionals to book on-demand remote guides around the world and receive live, interactive video calls to experience new destinations or attend events that they can't physically go to.

It’s safe to say that COVID-19 has changed the world of events with everything moving online. Hopin is an interactive web events company that allows hosts to create events where through video, quality connections can be made. Whether it’s a 50 person event or 50,000 person conference, you can customize your event to fit the requirements and even have attendees move in and out of rooms. It was recently announced that Hopin (founded just in 2019!) closed a $125M Series B at a $2.125B valuation.

Butler Hospitality

Butler takes over restaurants inside of hotels and transforms them into delivery hubs that provide virtual room service to nearby full, limited- and select-service hotels. Butler designs its own menu of elevated, accessible luxury food, prepares it in its own kitchens, and delivers it to hotels throughout New York City in under thirty minutes. By partnering directly with hotels, Butler delivers food directly to the hotel room and charges the guest’s credit card on file unlike other delivery services.

Calling air cargo demand “one of the few bright spots” in the global airline sector, IATA chief economist Brian Pearce said that requirements for air freight had been supported by the transport of medical equipment and essential supplies. We expect this to continue as unlike passenger demand, air freight requirements are following a fairly typical recession/recovery cycle. cargo.one is a digital platform for freight forwarders to search, compare and book air freight capacities across airlines. These airlines benefit from a fully digital and data-driven distribution channel, attracting new business at lower cost and higher operational efficiency.

In 2021, travel startups will not only play a large role in helping us adjust to the new normal and restore confidence in travel, but also challenge the fundamental ways of how we’ve thought about travel, which presents an exciting prospect - especially for early-stage investors. If 2020 was about surviving, we have our fingers crossed that 2021 will be about thriving.

Innovation in the travel industry is happening. Don’t be left behind.

At Plug and Play's Travel accelerator we are in touch with corporations and startups that are changing the world as we know it. Join our platform today.

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Travel Startup Funding 2023: We Tracked 200 Investments – Follow The Money

Justin Dawes , Skift

December 23rd, 2023 at 8:00 AM EST

Startup founders and investors have been saying all year that funding is tighter, but travel startups still raised billions in venture capital.

Justin Dawes

Travel startups raised at least $3.7 billion in 2023. Skift tracked more than 200 travel startup fundraises through a weekly roundup article, compiled from company announcements and exclusive reporting. 

While $3.7 billion is a big number, the actual total is surely higher. That’s because some startups do not share when they raise money, and some do not disclose amounts raised. And we don’t track all global markets.  

Below is an overview of the biggest raises, funding trends, and other important developments from 2023. (Is your travel startup raising money in 2024? Let us know .)

Short-Term Rentals

The short-term rental sector was the most well-funded in 2023. Skift tracked nearly 30 startups related to short-term rentals that raised more than $676 million.

The group includes booking platforms, property-management platforms, niche websites, and more.  

The sector has exploded since the pandemic, driven in large part by the surge in remote work, and that growth is continuing . 

Some of the startups that raised money are focused particularly on the digital nomad market. That includes Berlin-based property manager Habyt, which raised $42.4 million for a booking platform that includes rentals in co-living spaces, homes, and hotels for locals and travelers.

There have been fundraises for even more niche platforms, as well. Germany-based Raus and Australia-based Unyoked each raised millions of dollars for vacation-rental platforms that offer high-tech cabins in remote locations.

And Vipio raised several million dollars for specialty vacation rentals with a portfolio that includes Freddie Mercury’s former vacation home. 

Startups from the hotel tech sector were most likely to be funded in 2023, though the sector did not get the largest amount of funding overall.  

Skift tracked more than 30 startups related to hotel tech that raised at least $274 million, including several startups that did not disclose their funding amounts. 

This category covers a number of software products and services, such as property management, pricing and revenue, guest communications, kitchen operations, and more.  

The largest fundraise among them was $48 million by Stayntouch, a property management system owned by MCR. 

Next-Generation Aircraft

Nine startups developing next-generation aircraft and components raised more than $603 million. 

Regent Craft raised $60 million in October toward development of an electric seaglider for commercial travel along coastal routes. The first, called Viceroy, will carry 12 passengers up to 180 miles and is meant for underserved coastal communities. The company has a goal to deliver the product by mid-decade. 

And ZeroAvia raised $116 million in November to develop a hydrogen-electric jet engine, focusing first on engines that support a 300-mile range in aircrafts of nine to 19 seats by the end of 2025. 

Corporate Travel

There’s a lot of investment going toward platforms that help companies streamline corporate travel expenses. We tracked nine platforms that raised at least $445 million

Mooncard , a platform based in Paris, raised $40.6 million for an expense automation platform that includes providing Visa expense cards for employees of client companies. 

Tours and Activities

The tours and activities sector has been busy this year.

Klook, an online travel agency for tours and activities, recently raised $210 million (equity and debt) in a bid to compete with GetYourGuide and Viator. The Hong Kong-based company has now raised more than $900 million.

GetYourGuide this year raised $85 million in venture capital along with $109 million in revolving credit, pushing its total investment past the $1 billion mark.

And multiple startup platforms meant to streamline operations and sales for the sector raised millions of dollars. Historically one of most low-tech sectors in the industry, the tours and activities sector has been more focused on getting online and adopting new technology. 

Other Trends

• We tracked eight startups involved with the growing sustainable aviation fuel sector, raising a total of at least $312 million.
• There were various online travel agencies and other booking platforms, often specializing in niche markets, that raised a few hundred million dollars. Wheel the World, a booking platform for travelers with disabilities raised money in March , as did Bach, a planning and booking platform for bachelorette parties.
• There were fundraises by multiple startups working to modernize the ground transportation industry, particularly taxi operations and airport transfer bookings. 
• Startups with a product powered by generative AI are starting to raise money, though not large sums at the moment. 

Top 8 Single Fundraises 

• Ramp, corporate expenses including travel: $300 million
• Archer Aviation, flying taxi: $215 million
• Klook, online travel agency for tours and activities: $210 million (equity and debt)
• GetYourGuide, online travel agency for tours and activities: $194 million (equity and debt)
• Lilium, flying taxi: $192 million
• SkyNGR, sustainable aviation fuel: $190.9 million
• Hostaway, short-term rental management platform: $175 million
• DiDi Autonomous Driving, autonomous rideshare vehicle: $149 million

Backed by Celebrities 

There were multiple trip planners for consumers that raised money in 2023. 

Two of them were backed by entertainment celebrities.

• John Legend is a founder of It’s Good, an “invite-only” social media app for restaurant reviews, meant to combat negative reviews on Google and Yelp. The startup raised $5 million in October. 
• Paris Hilton is an investor for Layla, a generative AI trip planner chatbot accessible through an app or through direct messages on Instagram. The startup raised $3.3 million in late November.

Seven Innovative startups 

Below is a list of funded startups that stood out for being particularly unique.

• HalalBooking is an online travel agency tailored for the Muslim market , with features meant to help users search for specific needs, such as a resort with a ladies-only beach, a hotel with halal food, or a villa with a secluded pool.
• Scapia is a credit card for Indian travelers that offers unlimited domestic airport lounge access and 10% rewards on all purchases, which can be used to book travel through the app. 
• Fairlyne is a platform that helps consumers resell non-refundable travel tickets , a capability that’s common for sports and concerts but not travel.
• Autio offers more than 10,000 short audio stories based on geographic location and signed a deal with JetBlue to offer in-flight audio entertainment.
• HotelYaari is a platform that allows investors to purchase a stake in luxury hotels. 
• Minut provides short-term rental hosts with sensors to detect things like cigarette smoke, too many visitors, or too much outside noise. 
• DiDi Autonomous Driving raised $149 million for an autonomous rideshare vehicle that includes a robotic arm to pick up luggage and wake up passengers. And there’s no driver’s seat. 

Have a confidential tip for Skift? Get in touch

Tags: artificial intelligence , asia newsletter , business travel , funding , online travel newsletter , startups , vcroundup

Photo credit: Archer Aviation was one of the top-funded travel startups in 2023. Archer Aviation / Archer Aviation

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Top 9 Travel Trends & Innovations in 2024

How are the latest trends in the travel industry reshaping trip planning and enhancing tourist experiences in 2024? Explore our in-depth industry research on the top 9 travel trends based on our analysis of 3500+ companies worldwide. These trends include AI, immersive tourism, IoT, contactless travel & more!

Technological advancements in the travel industry meet the growing demand for personalized experiences, safety, and sustainability. Post the COVID-19 pandemic, emerging travel trends mark a shift towards contactless travel through digital payments, self-check-ins, and more. Additionally, artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and blockchain are automating various hospitality and travel-related operations.

For instance, smart hotels make use of internet-connected devices to remotely control rooms. Further, businesses offer virtual tours by adopting extended reality (XR) technologies like virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). Travel companies also leverage data analytics to personalize marketing. At the same time, traveler assisting solutions like chatbots and voice technology aid them in booking accommodation and optimizing journeys. These travel trends improve the overall profitability of the tourism industry and enable it to make operations more sustainable and safe.

This article was published in July 2022 and updated in February 2024.

Innovation Map outlines the Top 9 Travel Trends & 18 Promising Startups

For this in-depth research on the Top 9 Trends & Startups, we analyzed a sample of 18 global startups and scaleups. The result of this research is data-driven innovation intelligence that improves strategic decision-making by giving you an overview of emerging technologies & startups in the travel industry. These insights are derived by working with our Big Data & Artificial Intelligence-powered StartUs Insights Discovery Platform , covering 2 500 000+ startups & scaleups globally. As the world’s largest resource for data on emerging companies, the SaaS platform enables you to identify relevant startups, emerging technologies & future industry trends quickly & exhaustively.

In the Innovation Map below, you get an overview of the Top 9 Travel Trends & Innovations that impact travel & tourism companies worldwide. Moreover, the Travel Innovation Map reveals 3 500+ hand-picked startups, all working on emerging technologies that advance their field.

Top 9 Travel Trends

• Artificial Intelligence
• Immersive Tourism
• Internet of Things
• Contactless Travel
• Big Data & Analytics
• Post-Pandemic Tourism
• Tour Premiumization

Click to download

Tree Map reveals the Impact of the Top 9 Travel Trends

Based on the Travel Innovation Map, the Tree Map below illustrates the impact of the Top 9 Travel Industry Trends in 2024. Startups and scaleups are enabling contactless travel using technologies like biometrics, radio-frequency identification (RFID), and near-field communication (NFC). This is due to increasing health and hygiene concerns post the pandemic. The use of AI in tourism ensures hassle-free trip planning while AR and VR allow tourists to virtually visit various locations and excursions. IoT increases visibility into tourism industry operations and allows passengers to track their luggage more efficiently. Further, the demand for personalized and luxurious travel is rising. Several startups enable recreational space travel as well as offer sustainable travel options to passengers.

Global Startup Heat Map covers 3 635 Travel Startups & Scaleups

The Global Startup Heat Map below highlights the global distribution of the 3 635 exemplary startups & scaleups that we analyzed for this research. Created through the StartUs Insights Discovery Platform, the Heat Map reveals that the US, Europe, and India see the most activity.

Below, you get to meet 18 out of these 3 635 promising startups & scaleups as well as the solutions they develop. These 18 startups are hand-picked based on criteria such as founding year, location, funding raised, and more. Depending on your specific needs, your top picks might look entirely different.

Interested in exploring all 3500+ travel startups & scaleups?

Top 9 Travel Trends in 2024

1. artificial intelligence.

Hotels employ intelligent chatbots, powered by AI, to provide quick and personalized responses to traveler inquiries. These chatbots simplify the booking process and gather customer reviews, aiding potential travelers in making informed decisions. Moreover, AI-based robots enhance the customer experience by automating hotel disinfection and delivering room service.

At airports, these robots guide travelers and assist with luggage handling. Facial recognition technology, driven by AI, expedites identity verification at airports, enhancing security and offering a swift alternative to traditional methods. Startups are developing AI-powered trip planning solutions, optimizing journeys, and personalizing travel experiences.

Travel Professor develops a Travel Chatbot

UK-based startup Travel Professor offers an AI-enabled chatbot for travelers. The startup’s chat widget software monitors multiple flight deals and notifies users when their preferences match. It also provides travel destination recommendations and flight price alerts. This allows travelers to book economical flights and have a budget-friendly tourism experience.

Pneuma Travel facilitates Travel Planning

US startup Pneuma Travel develops a voice-assisted digital agent, Sarah , to streamline the process of travel planning. This assistant, powered by AI, excels in arranging flight and accommodation bookings and assists travelers in discovering a variety of activities. Sarah , available round the clock, provides continuous support for all travel-related inquiries.

Moreover, Sarah customizes travel options according to individual preferences and budgetary constraints. The agent further enhances the travel experience by providing insights into local attractions in unfamiliar cities. Importantly, Sarah enables real-time modifications to travel plans, in compliance with specific airline policies, thereby minimizing waiting times for users.

2. Immersive Tourism

Immersive tourism caters to the growing demand for meaningful experiences among travelers, leveraging AR, VR, and mixed reality (MR). VR simulates original locations through a computer-generated environment, allowing tourists to virtually explore destinations. It provides travelers with a comprehensive 360-degree tour of points of interest.

AR enhances the travel experience with interactive elements such as navigation maps and ads. Travel companies employ AR and VR-based gamification to heighten tourist attractions. Moreover, these technologies enable hotels and resorts to present amenities and rooms in an engaging, interactive manner.

VR Travel Expo offers VR-based Travel Plans

US startup VR Travel Expo develops a VR travel application to transform the way people research and book travel. The application enables users to plan their vacations more efficiently. It provides an engaging platform for users to explore and expand their knowledge of the world. Moreover, it employs 3D geospatial technology that creates real-time digital twins of the world. This further enhances the travel planning experience.

AR Tour makes AR Glasses

Italian startup AR Tour offers AR-powered tours. The startup’s AR glasses superimpose reconstructed images of archaeological ruins to show how the site originally was. Its tour informs the tourists about the site’s history and significance via an audio-visual package. Moreover, the startup designs lightweight AR glasses to prevent motion sickness among tourists, improving convenience.

3. Internet of Things

IoT generates ample data that tourism companies leverage to personalize services in their subsequent visits. Hotels use IoT sensors to enable smart rooms that automate room lighting, temperature, and ambiance control, enhancing guest comfort. These sensors adjust appliances in vacant rooms, conserving energy and reducing the building’s carbon footprint.

Startups harness IoT to deliver location-specific information to customers, including real-time luggage tracking via IoT tags, minimizing lost items. Airlines also incorporate IoT-based solutions into seats, monitoring passenger temperature and heart rate for proactive health management.

Altitude enables Smart Hotels

New Zealand-based startup Altitude creates an IoT-based hotel software and hardware to develop smart hotels. The startup makes self-service kiosks to automate reservations, room up-gradation, payments, as well as check-in and check-out. Its hotel management platform further enables contactless engagement with guests. Additionally, Altitude’s mobile keys allow guests to open doors using mobile phones, providing convenience and saving time for travelers.

Smart Tour provides Smart Itineraries

Brazilian startup Smart Tour offers smart itineraries using IoT and quick response (QR) codes. The startup recommends travel routes and destinations based on the user’s preference in real-time. This facilitates a seamless experience for travelers. Besides, the user-generated data enables tourism managers to better understand consumer behavior and indulge in proximity marketing. The startup also offers a contact tracing solution to monitor COVID-19 infected travelers and ensure public safety.

4. Contactless Travel

Travelers benefit from contactless recognition technologies like retina scanning, which replace traditional travel documents, speeding up passenger identification and reducing airport queues. QR codes offered by travel companies allow tourists to access relevant information on their mobile devices, enhancing engagement.

Hotels have introduced contactless self-check-ins, enabling visitors to arrange services before arrival. Additionally, contactless payment modes are available in hotels and restaurants for swift and secure transactions. Moreover, wearable devices are transforming the travel experience by providing real-time notifications and touch-free access to services and information.

Loxe designs Smart Hotel Keys

US-based startup Loxe makes smart mobile keys for hotels. The startup’s smartphone app replaces key cards with contactless mobile keys that allow users to unlock doors using smartphones. It also reduces operational costs incurred in the manufacturing of conventional keys or plastic cards. Moreover, the startup designs a Bluetooth retrofit module that converts normal door locks into mobile-ready door locks. This allows hotel owners to easily convert their existing locks into smart ones without additional expenses while improving guest safety and convenience.

Avendi provides Contactless Payment

Singaporean startup Avendi offers contactless and cashless payments for travelers. The startup allows tourists to accumulate expenses throughout their trip and pay at the end of the journey. Avendi’s app utilizes QR codes to add all the billed expenses and shown through its dashboard. The user settles the tab amount in the preferred currency, preventing the inconvenience of cash withdrawal or credit card payments.

5. Big Data & Analytics

Big data empowers travel companies with customer trends for strategic marketing. Analyzing traveler behavior, they offer tailored recommendations for hotel bookings, cab hires, flight reservations, and ticket purchases.

Predicting future demand is another advantage of big data and analytics, helping hotels and airlines identify peak periods to optimize revenue. Advanced analysis of transactional data aids in detecting cyber fraud, and safeguarding sensitive customer information such as credit card details and biometric data.

CheckandPack creates a Travel Platform

Dutch startup CheckandPack offers a big data travel platform. It runs marketing campaigns to gather traveler data and understand tourism trends. Based on these insights, the platform enables businesses to approach travelers with a customized appeal. It also provides travelers with holiday planning.

3Victors provides Travel Data Analytics

US-based startup 3Victors offers travel data analytics. The startup’s product, PriceEye Suite , proactively monitors the prices of numerous airlines to provide insights into competitor prices. It creates a dashboard to display travelers’ location of interest, allowing travel airlines to better manage their revenue and pricing strategy.

6. Post-Pandemic Tourism

Post-pandemic tourism focuses on safe, sustainable, and flexible travel options, responding to evolving traveler preferences and health guidelines. Enhanced health and safety protocols, including regular sanitization and contactless services, become standard in airlines and hotels, ensuring traveler confidence.

Destinations and operators emphasize outdoor and less crowded experiences, catering to a heightened demand for nature-based and wellness travel. Flexible booking policies and trip insurance gain prominence, offering peace of mind amid uncertainties. Sustainable travel gains traction, with tourists and businesses prioritizing environmental impact and community well-being.

GOPASS Global enables Pre-travel Risk Management

Singaporean startup GOPASS Global provides a travel risk analytics platform against COVID-19. It analyzes the biosecurity risk elements involved in a trip, such as border restrictions, quarantine requirements, airport type, and airline transit points or seating in real-time. This allows travelers to assess risk factors and plan their trips accordingly.

Moreover, the startup creates world maps displaying information regarding COVID-prone areas, testing areas, and vaccine coverage. This provides travelers with a preview of the current situation, allowing them to ensure safety during business and leisure travel.

Workcations enables Work from Anywhere

Indian startup Workcations provides properties at tourist destinations for remote-working individuals. It offers amenities like internet connectivity, food, and a quiet ambiance, allowing tourists to work in a peaceful environment without hindrance. This increases employee productivity, motivation, and retention.

7. Tour Premiumization

Hyper-personalization in travel experiences is on the rise, with tourists eager to immerse themselves in diverse cultures. Luxury travelers enjoy tailored experiences and intuitive services through tour premiumization. Health and wellness packages offered by travel startups help tourists unwind.

These retreats enhance health and offer detoxifying food options. Space tourism is another exciting development, offering leisure or research trips to space. Lastly, travel startups are fostering customer loyalty and building strong relationships through membership or subscription models.

STOKE provides Space Tour

US-based startup STOKE facilitates space travel using everyday-operable rockets. The startup’s rockets are reusable and deliver satellites to any desired orbit. This enables on-demand access to space, paving way for space tours for exploration, recreation, and research. The startup also emphasizes the economical and rapid development of its hardware for feasible spacecraft launches, advancing space tourism.

Origin offers Travel Personalization

Dutch startup Origin provides premium travel personalization to tourists. The startup utilizes machine learning and travel curators to plan creative vacations. It also arranges flights and accommodation for travelers. Further, the startup measures the carbon output of itineraries and offers sustainable tourism options.

8. Ecotourism

Traveling responsibly minimizes tourism’s environmental impact and supports local communities’ well-being. Ecotourists strive to reduce their carbon footprint during their journeys. Startups contribute by developing sustainable transport, ecolodges, and solar-powered resorts.

Airline passengers have the option to offset carbon emissions during flight bookings. Local tourism stimulates small businesses economically and creates job opportunities. It also emphasizes minimum littering, which lowers pollution and the time spent on cleanups.

Jet-Set Offset simplifies Flight Carbon Offset

US-based startup Jet-Set Offset creates a carbon-offsetting platform for air travel. The startup partners with non-profit organizations working against climate change and connects them with travelers. Each time travelers book flight tickets via the startup’s platform, Jet-Set Offset contributes a certain amount per mile for their journey to environmental organizations. This way, the passenger’s journey promotes mileage-based donations to offset carbon emissions.

The Green Stamp facilitates Ethical Wildlife Tour

Dutch startup The Green Stamp provides a platform to book ethical wildlife tours. It curates tours based on the tourists’ inclinations toward certain locations or wildlife. Exploration of these projects allows travelers to indirectly contribute to their cause as these wildlife projects donate to the welfare of local communities and the environment.

9. Blockchain

Blockchain provides the travel industry with operational transparency and security. Traceable payments, particularly for international travel, are a key application, that fosters trust among parties involved in transactions.

Automation and enforcement of agreements in travel insurance and supplier contracts are achieved through smart contracts. This strengthens reliability and cuts administrative costs. Travel firms establish customer loyalty programs where points are exchanged for cryptocurrency. Lastly, blockchain increases data storage security, reducing the risk of information leaks.

Upswing facilitates Guest Profiling

Indian startup Upswing creates AURA , a blockchain-powered platform for guest profiling. It provides a holistic view of guests, their preferences, and purchase patterns. The platform associates a score with each guest and suggests improvements in their service. This facilitates hotels to provide a personalized experience to their guests and, in turn, increase sales.

UIQ Travel develops a Solo Traveling App

US-based startup UIQ Travel develops a blockchain-based app to connect solo travelers. It discovers people with shared interests and suggests tours or attractions. Such hyper-personalized recommendations assist in experience discovery and also increase traveler engagement.

Discover all Travel Trends, Technologies & Startups

Tourism, although severely impacted by the pandemic, now continues to rapidly grow across the globe. Post-pandemic trends indicate an increasing emphasis on hygiene and safety during travel. The industry is witnessing the widespread adoption of disruptive technologies like AI, XR, IoT, and blockchain. The travel industry utilizes big data to understand traveler trends for targeted marketing. The transition to ecotourism is accelerating as businesses integrate zero-emission transit and carbon offset programs to reduce their carbon footprint.

The Travel Trends & Startups outlined in this report only scratch the surface of trends that we identified during our data-driven innovation and startup scouting process. Among others, personalization, decarbonization, and travel safety will transform the sector as we know it today. Identifying new opportunities and emerging technologies to implement into your business goes a long way in gaining a competitive advantage. Get in touch to easily and exhaustively scout startups, technologies & trends that matter to you!

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Senior travel community: Senior Travel Community: A Hub for Innovative Startups

1. introduction to the senior travel community, 2. emerging startups in the senior travel sector, 3. innovative services shaping senior travel, 4. technology integration for enhanced senior mobility, 5. investment trends in senior-focused travel startups, 6. successful senior travel startups, 7. challenges and solutions in the senior travel industry, 8. predictions and possibilities.

In the realm of travel, a transformative shift is occurring, one that caters to the seasoned voyager. This demographic, rich in experience and not bound by the typical nine-to-five constraints, is seeking more than just leisure—they are in pursuit of adventure, learning, and community. Startups are recognizing this trend and are stepping up to meet the unique needs of these explorers. They are not just offering trips; they are creating ecosystems where knowledge, resources, and experiences are shared, fostering a sense of belonging and camaraderie among its members.

1. Personalization at Its Core : One startup offers an AI-driven platform that tailors travel experiences based on personal interests, health considerations, and social preferences. For example, a member interested in history might find themselves on a guided tour of ancient ruins with a group sharing similar passions.

2. Safety and Accessibility : Another focuses on safety and accessibility, providing real-time support and creating itineraries that accommodate mobility challenges. Picture a scenic European river cruise with wheelchair-accessible cabins and excursions.

3. Intergenerational Travel : Recognizing the joy of shared experiences across ages, some startups facilitate intergenerational travel, allowing grandparents to easily plan trips that include activities enjoyable for them and their grandchildren.

4. Learning and Growth : There are also platforms dedicated to educational travel, where seniors can enroll in short-term courses abroad, learning anything from cooking to language skills in immersive environments.

5. Community Engagement : Beyond travel, community engagement is a priority , with forums and meetups that encourage discussions and connections long before and after the actual travel takes place.

Through these innovative services, startups are not just simplifying travel for seniors but are enriching their lives with new friendships, knowledge, and unforgettable experiences. The senior travel community is becoming a vibrant hub where the spirit of exploration knows no age limit.

Introduction to the Senior Travel Community - Senior travel community: Senior Travel Community: A Hub for Innovative Startups

In the realm of travel, a new wave of innovation is catering to the seasoned generation. These ventures are not merely offering trips; they are crafting experiences that resonate with the aspirations and needs of older adventurers. They recognize that today's seniors are more active, tech-savvy, and socially connected than ever before. This demographic shift has given rise to a niche yet rapidly growing segment within the travel industry, focusing on accessibility, community, and unique experiences.

1. Tailored Experience Providers : Startups like SilverWay create personalized itineraries that consider health conditions and accessibility requirements. They partner with medical professionals to ensure safety and comfort, allowing travelers to explore destinations previously thought inaccessible.

2. Tech-Driven Convenience : Platforms such as ElderExplorers utilize AI to simplify the planning process. Their interface is designed for ease of use, with voice-command functionality and a virtual assistant that suggests destinations based on the traveler's interests and past experiences.

3. Community-Based Travel : JourneyTogether is a startup that connects senior travelers with similar interests, creating small group tours. They focus on fostering connections, ensuring that solo travelers can find companionship and shared experiences on their journeys.

4. Educational Excursions : Companies like LearnAsYouGo offer trips that include educational components, such as language immersion or historical tours, led by experts. This appeals to seniors seeking intellectual stimulation alongside leisure.

5. Wellness Retreats : With a focus on health and rejuvenation, startups like ZenVoyages provide wellness retreats that offer yoga, meditation, and nutrition workshops tailored to older adults.

These startups are redefining the concept of senior travel, transforming it from a mere leisure activity into a means of personal growth, learning, and connection. They are not just facilitating travel; they are enriching lives and creating a vibrant community of globe-trotting seniors.

Emerging Startups in the Senior Travel Sector - Senior travel community: Senior Travel Community: A Hub for Innovative Startups

The landscape of travel has been transformed by a wave of new services tailored to meet the unique needs and preferences of older adventurers. These services are not just enhancing the travel experience but are redefining it, making it more accessible, enjoyable, and enriching for those in their golden years.

1. Personalized Travel Itineraries : startups are leveraging AI to create customized travel plans that cater to the health conditions, interests, and pace of seniors. For example, 'VoyagePlan' uses a questionnaire to assess preferences and limitations before crafting a journey that includes accessible destinations, rest stops, and activities that are senior-friendly.

2. Healthcare on the Go : Recognizing the importance of health and well-being, 'MediTravel' offers a subscription-based service providing travelers with access to a network of healthcare providers, telemedicine services, and emergency support in multiple languages, ensuring peace of mind when away from home.

3. Home Exchange Programs : Platforms like 'SilverSwap' are gaining popularity among seniors looking for affordable and authentic travel experiences . By exchanging homes with other seniors around the world, travelers can immerse themselves in local cultures while enjoying the comforts of a home.

4. Senior Cohort Cruises : Companies are curating cruise experiences specifically for seniors, such as 'Golden Waves'. These cruises feature activities, entertainment, and learning opportunities designed to foster community and cater to the leisurely pace and interests of the senior demographic.

5. Assistive Technology Rentals : To alleviate the burden of traveling with assistive devices, 'Gear4Elders' provides rental services at travel destinations for items like wheelchairs, scooters, and hearing aids, making travel logistics simpler and lighter.

6. Memory-Making Services : 'Memoir Voyages' is a unique service that helps seniors document their travels with professional photographers and storytellers, creating lasting legacies of their adventures to share with family and friends.

Through these innovative services, the barriers to travel are being dismantled, allowing seniors to explore the world with confidence , comfort, and a sense of community. The integration of technology, personalized care, and a focus on creating meaningful experiences is not just changing the way seniors travel, but also the way they connect with the world and each other.

Innovative Services Shaping Senior Travel - Senior travel community: Senior Travel Community: A Hub for Innovative Startups

In the realm of travel, the burgeoning demographic of older adults presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities. As the population ages, the demand for solutions that cater to the mobility needs of seniors grows, prompting a surge in innovative startups dedicated to this cause. These enterprises are harnessing cutting-edge technology to create a seamless and accessible travel experience for the elderly, ensuring safety, comfort, and independence.

1. Smart Mobility Devices : Startups are revolutionizing personal mobility for seniors with devices such as smart canes and walkers. These are embedded with sensors and GPS technology to aid navigation and detect falls, instantly alerting caregivers or emergency services.

2. Ride-Sharing Platforms : Tailored ride-sharing services offer features like extended wait times, assistance with luggage, and door-to-door support. For instance, 'SilverRide' provides specialized transportation with trained drivers to accommodate the needs of older passengers.

3. virtual Reality experiences : To cater to seniors who cannot travel, virtual reality (VR) startups offer immersive experiences that simulate travel destinations. 'VoyageVR' allows users to explore the world from the comfort of their homes, complete with interactive elements to engage with different cultures.

4. Wearable Health Monitors : Wearables that track vital signs and physical activity are crucial for senior travelers. Products like the 'HealthWatch' not only monitor health metrics but also provide location data to family members, ensuring peace of mind during travel.

5. Accessible Accommodation Services : Companies like 'StayAssured' focus on vetting and listing accommodations that meet the specific needs of senior travelers, such as wheelchair accessibility, non-slip floors, and emergency call buttons.

6. Travel Assistance Bots : AI-powered chatbots assist in planning and managing travel itineraries. These bots can suggest senior-friendly activities, remind about medication schedules, and provide real-time support .

Through these innovations, the senior travel community is not just an audience but an active participant in shaping the future of travel . The integration of technology into mobility solutions empowers seniors to explore the world with confidence and ease, marking a significant step forward in inclusive travel.

Technology Integration for Enhanced Senior Mobility - Senior travel community: Senior Travel Community: A Hub for Innovative Startups

The landscape of travel has been reshaped by the emergence of startups that cater specifically to the senior demographic, a segment that has shown remarkable resilience and growth potential. Investors are increasingly recognizing the unique needs and preferences of older travelers, leading to a surge in funding for platforms that offer tailored experiences, accessibility options, and community engagement. This shift is not just about tapping into a lucrative market; it's about fostering an ecosystem where age is not a barrier to exploration and adventure.

1. Personalization at Scale : startups are leveraging big data and AI to offer personalized travel recommendations. For instance, SilverCompass uses machine learning to curate itineraries based on past travel behavior, health considerations, and personal interests.

2. Accessibility Innovations : Investment is flowing into companies like AccessTravel , which specializes in creating barrier-free travel experiences, ensuring that accommodations, transportation, and activities are accessible to seniors with mobility challenges.

3. Community-Driven Platforms : There's a growing trend of platforms that not only plan trips but also build communities. WanderlustCircle , for example, not only organizes group tours but also fosters a social network for seniors to connect and share experiences.

4. Health and Safety Focus : With health being a paramount concern, startups such as SafeJourney are receiving funding for their health-centric travel solutions, offering 24/7 medical support and insurance tailored to the senior traveler.

5. Sustainable and Slow Travel : Investors are backing businesses that align with the slow travel movement, like EcoRetreats , which offers eco-friendly accommodations and experiences that allow seniors to travel at a leisurely pace while minimizing their environmental impact .

These trends highlight a broader shift in the investment community, where the value proposition extends beyond financial returns to include social impact and inclusivity, ensuring that the golden years are full of golden opportunities for discovery.

Investment Trends in Senior Focused Travel Startups - Senior travel community: Senior Travel Community: A Hub for Innovative Startups

In the realm of travel, innovation isn't just about the latest technology—it's about redefining the experience for every traveler. Among the most dynamic segments of this industry are the ventures tailored to the seasoned globetrotter, those who've traded business suits for leisure and are now exploring the world with vigor and zest. These enterprises have not only recognized the unique needs and preferences of senior adventurers but have also crafted experiences that resonate deeply with their desire for comfort, convenience, and community.

1. SilverSailors : This startup has revolutionized the concept of group travel by offering curated voyages that cater to the interests and pace of travelers in their golden years. With a focus on cultural immersion and educational experiences, SilverSailors has seen a remarkable 150% growth in clientele within two years. Their success lies in the meticulous attention to detail—from ensuring medical support to providing personalized itineraries that allow for ample rest and relaxation.

2. WanderYears : At the heart of WanderYears' success is its innovative platform that connects seniors with travel buddies and local guides across the globe. By fostering a sense of community and belonging , the startup has built a loyal following. Their model emphasizes safety and social interaction, offering peace of mind and enriching connections, which has led to a 90% customer retention rate .

3. Heritage Hikers : Specializing in walking tours, Heritage Hikers has tapped into the niche of active seniors eager to explore historical sites on foot. Their guided tours are not just walks; they are narrated journeys through history, led by experts passionate about storytelling. This approach has attracted a diverse group of seniors, resulting in a 200% increase in tour participation year over year.

These case studies exemplify the potential within the senior travel market. They show that with the right blend of innovation, personalization, and community focus, startups can thrive while significantly enhancing the travel experiences of senior adventurers. Each of these companies has listened to the voices of their customers, adapting and evolving to meet the ever-changing landscape of senior travel . The result is a vibrant, growing sector that promises even more exciting developments in the years to come.

Successful Senior Travel Startups - Senior travel community: Senior Travel Community: A Hub for Innovative Startups

Navigating the landscape of travel for older adults presents a unique set of hurdles, often overshadowed by the industry's focus on younger demographics. Yet, this sector holds immense potential, spurred by a demographic that is not only growing but also increasingly eager to explore the world. The convergence of experience, time, and often, financial readiness, positions the senior segment as a lucrative market for travel startups that can adeptly address their specific needs.

1. Accessibility:

One of the primary concerns is accessibility. As mobility can be a challenge, travel services need to ensure seamless access to transportation, accommodations, and attractions. Solution: Startups like 'EasyGo' have innovated with AI-powered platforms that match seniors with travel options tailored to their mobility levels, ensuring a comfortable journey from start to finish .

2. Health and Safety:

Health considerations take precedence as well. Seniors require assurance of medical support and safety. Solution: 'HealthCompanion' is a startup that has risen to the challenge, offering a network of vetted healthcare providers across popular tourist destinations, alongside a 24/7 helpline for immediate assistance.

3. Social Connection:

Isolation can be a concern for seniors, and travel offers a chance to forge new connections. Solution: Platforms like 'SilverConnect' focus on group travel experiences designed for seniors, fostering a sense of community and shared adventure.

4. Technological Ease:

The digital divide can deter seniors from utilizing online travel services . Solution: 'TechEase Travel' provides an intuitive interface and personalized tech support, making online bookings and information retrieval manageable for those less tech-savvy.

5. Affordability:

Cost is another factor that can limit travel for seniors. Solution: 'BudgetJourneys' offers a subscription model that allows for installment payments and access to discounted group rates, making travel more financially accessible.

By addressing these challenges with innovative solutions , startups are not only tapping into a growing market but also enriching the lives of seniors, allowing them to safely and comfortably engage with the world around them. These examples illustrate the transformative potential of targeted solutions in fostering a more inclusive travel industry.

As the global demographic shifts towards an aging population, the travel industry is poised to undergo a significant transformation. This change is driven by the increasing number of seniors who not only have the desire but also the means to explore the world. Innovative startups within the senior travel community are at the forefront of this revolution, crafting experiences that cater to the unique needs and preferences of older adventurers. These companies are redefining what it means to travel in one's golden years, emphasizing accessibility, community, and lifelong learning.

1. personalized Travel experiences : startups are leveraging technology to offer personalized travel planning services. For example, a company might use AI to analyze a senior's past travel patterns and health requirements to suggest destinations and activities that are both exciting and safe.

2. Health-Conscious Accommodations : Recognizing the health needs of seniors, new ventures are partnering with accommodations that provide on-site medical support and wellness programs. An example is a resort offering tailored fitness regimes and dietary plans for its senior guests.

3. Educational Tourism : There's a growing trend towards educational tourism, where travel experiences are combined with learning opportunities. Seniors are finding joy in trips that include language classes, cooking workshops, or historical lectures, enriching their travel experience.

4. Intergenerational Travel : Companies are creating packages that encourage travel across different age groups, fostering a sense of family and community. This might look like a cruise that offers activities suitable for both grandparents and grandchildren, promoting bonding through shared experiences.

5. Accessible Adventure : Adventure travel isn't just for the young. Startups are designing adventure tours with the senior traveler in mind, ensuring safety and accessibility. For instance, a guided tour company might offer a safari experience with modified vehicles for easier access.

6. Virtual Reality Previews : To ease concerns about the unknown, some startups offer virtual reality previews of destinations and accommodations. This allows seniors to 'try before they buy,' making them more comfortable with their travel choices.

7. Sustainable and Slow Travel : There's an increasing preference for sustainable travel options that allow for deeper cultural immersion. Slow travel startups focus on longer stays in a single location, offering a more relaxed pace and a lower carbon footprint .

Through these innovations, the senior travel community is not just accommodating older travelers but actively inviting them to engage with the world in new and meaningful ways. The future of senior travel is not only bright but also diverse, inclusive, and rich with possibility.

Predictions and Possibilities - Senior travel community: Senior Travel Community: A Hub for Innovative Startups

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Why You’ll Pay More and Behave Better When You Travel This Summer

From Barcelona to Bali, higher fees and new rules are targeting overtourism and unruly behavior. Some locals are worried the changes will keep tourists away.

By Paige McClanahan

A new tourist fee in Bali. Higher hotel taxes in Amsterdam and Paris. Stricter rules on public drinking in Milan and Majorca. Ahead of the summer travel season, leaders in many tourist spots have adopted measures to tame the tourist crowds — or at least earn more revenue from them.

All of this may pose headaches for travelers, although in most cases, the new fees or tax increases represent only a tiny fraction of the total cost of a trip. The goal is to ensure that tourism functions smoothly for visitors and locals alike, said Megan Epler Wood, managing director of the Sustainable Tourism Asset Management Program at Cornell University.

“All tourism is dependent on beautiful natural and cultural resources. You have to protect those resources in order to be a viable tourism destination — and if you don’t, they degrade,” Ms. Epler Wood said.

In some places, proposals for new fees or visitor rules have drawn opposition from residents, who fear they might scare away the tourists who bolster the local economy. But destinations need to find ways to counteract what Ms. Epler Wood calls “ the invisible burden ” of tourism, which includes strains on a community’s infrastructure, utilities and housing stock, as well as tourists’ carbon footprint and any challenges they might impose on residents’ daily lives.

“You put so much pressure on the place that the people who live there become unhappy, and then they don’t present a very good face to tourists,” Ms. Epler Wood said. “The longer you wait, the higher the cost to fix it.”

Here is a look at new measures that travelers can expect this summer, and where others might be coming in the future.

New visitor fees

Since February, visitors to the Indonesian island of Bali have been asked to pay a levy of 150,000 Indonesian rupiahs, or about $9.40 per visit. Revenue will be used to support the preservation of cultural and natural assets on the island, where tourism has brought major challenges related to litter, water supply and overcrowding. Visitors are encouraged to pay the new fee online before departure, although it’s also possible to pay on arrival at the airport.

Beginning Aug. 1, most foreign travelers to the Galápagos Islands — which had a record-breaking 330,000 visitors last year — must pay a $200 entry fee, double the current rate. The money raised will be used to support conservation, improve infrastructure and fund community programs.

The change is the first increase to the entry fee since it was introduced in 1998, said Tom O’Hara, communications manager for the Galápagos Conservation Trust . Mr. O’Hara noted that the increase comes a year after the UNESCO World Heritage Committee urged the government of Ecuador to work toward a “zero-growth model” for tourism in the Galápagos.

“It’s quite a complicated topic,” Mr. O’Hara said, noting that the fee increase has been viewed “as part of the solution to overtourism.” On the other hand, he added, “everyone is trying to reassure the local tourist industry that this isn’t going to kill tourism on the islands.

In April, Venice began imposing a fee — 5 euros, about $5.40 — on day-trippers visiting on peak days, with the goal of striking “a new balance between the tourists and residents.”

But the new Venice Access Fee has drawn criticism from residents. “This project is a disaster for us. We are a city, not a park,” said Matteo Secchi, the president of Venessia.com, an association of Venice residents. Mr. Secchi said that a communications campaign would have been more effective.

The possibility of a new tourist fee has also drawn local opposition in Hawaii, where Gov. Josh Green has proposed a “climate impact fee” for visitors to the state. The measure failed during a recent meeting of the State Legislature, but Governor Green has persisted in calling for visitors to help fund the state’s preparation for future climate shocks.

“We have to get this tiger by the tail,” he told journalists in May, adding that $25 per visitor could raise $250 million a year, which the state could use to guard against climate disasters, manage erosion, strengthen infrastructure and protect parks.

Hotel fees and other taxes get a bump

Hotel taxes, also known as occupancy or accommodation taxes, are widespread in the United States and Europe, where they were on the rise for a decade leading up to the pandemic. With tourism’s rebound to prepandemic levels, several destinations have increased or adjusted the tax to capture more revenue.

Like Hawaii, Greece — which also suffered severe wildfires last summer — is looking to steel itself against climate disasters, and the government wants tourists to help foot the bill. Greece is calling the charge a climate crisis resilience fee , and it will be collected by accommodation providers. The tax will be higher from March to October, when it will top out at €10 per night at five-star hotels. The rate drops from November to February, and for hotels with fewer stars. The fee replaces the previous hotel tax, which ranged from €0.50 to €4 per night.

In Amsterdam, the hotel tax, which was already one of the highest in Europe, rose to 12.5 percent from 7 percent on Jan. 1. City lawmakers have also raised the tax on cruise passengers to €14 from €11 per person per night.

The hotel tax in Barcelona also rose this year, increasing to €3.25 per night. The measure was the final step-up in a gradual increase that began before the pandemic. A spokesman for Barcelona City Hall said that further tax increases would be aimed at tourist rental apartments and cruises that make short stopovers, which contribute less to the city’s income. The spokesman also noted that revenue generated by the tourist tax is being used, among other things, to fund the installation of solar panels and air-conditioning in Barcelona’s public schools.

Ahead of this summer’s Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris, lawmakers in the Île-de-France region have imposed a new tax, on top of the normal hotel levy. With the new tax, which will fund public transportation in the region, a guest in a five-star hotel now owes a total of €10.73 in tax per night stayed, while a stay in a two-star hotel incurs a tax of €3.25 per night.

Though the measure was adopted by the regional government, it was not supported by the leadership in Paris itself. A spokeswoman for Paris City Hall called the move “a democratic power grab” that “in no way benefits the city of Paris.” She noted that even with the funds generated by the new tax, the region still raised the price of tickets for public transportation in the city during the Olympics — a measure that has disgruntled many Paris residents.

Introducing new rules

In other tourist spots, the focus is on curbing behavior that pollutes the local environment or harms residents’ quality of life.

In Japan, authorities at Mount Fuji will cap visitors at 4,000 per day. They have also imposed a new fee of 2,000 yen (about $13) for access to the iconic summit. Elsewhere in the country, a community council in the Gion neighborhood of Kyoto has closed some small roads to tourists, after complaints that the area, home to the city’s geisha district, was suffering from crowds.

“We will ask tourists to refrain from entering narrow private streets in or after April,” Isokazu Ota, a leading member of the community council, told Agence-France Presse in March. “We don’t want to do this, but we’re desperate.”

A spokeswoman for the city’s tourism board described the road closures as “a local initiative,” adding that “neither Kyoto City nor the Kyoto City Tourism Association are aware of any details beyond what is reported in the media.”

Rowdy visitor behavior has been the target of new rules in Milan. In some areas, city leaders have banned outdoor seating after 12:30 a.m. during the week and 1:30 a.m. on the weekend in response to resident complaints. They have also limited the late-night sale of takeaway food and drinks.

And in certain areas on the Spanish Balearic Islands of Majorca and Ibiza that are overrun with drunk tourists, the government has imposed a ban on late-night sales of alcohol and the consumption of alcohol in the street. New restrictions have also been imposed on party boats in the same areas.

“Tourism has negative externalities that must be managed and minimized,” Marga Prohens, the president of the Balearic Islands, told a local gathering this month , according to The Majorca Daily Bulletin. Local tourism, she said, “cannot continue to grow in volume.”

Paige McClanahan, a regular contributor to the Travel section, is author of “The New Tourist: Waking Up to the Power and Perils of Travel,” forthcoming from Scribner on June 18.

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Port Antonio, Jamaica:  The Grammy-nominated D.J. and music producer Diplo recommends spots in a city he loves  on Jamaica’s northeast coast. A dance party makes the cut.

New Mexico:  The Gila Wilderness, home to wolves, mountain lions and other wildlife, marks a century as a “land lab,”  where nature thrives as far as the eye can see.

Greece:  Is Serifos the perfect Greek island? A writer’s checklist included ferry service, great beaches and good local restaurants.

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'Out in the World' guidebook helps members of LGBTQ+ community travel

PHILADELPHIA -- As we celebrate Pride month, there is a new book helping people in the LGBTQ+ community travel.

It's called Out in the World by authors Amy B. Scher and Mark Jason Williams.

They say the queer community is often left out of main travel guidebooks, so they wanted to create something inclusive.

The book features over 100 destinations that include queer-owned and welcoming businesses, as well as memorable activities.

Locally, the book features Philadelphia, New Hope, and Cape May, among many others.

You can pick up Out in the World everywhere books are sold.

It's published by Disney Press and National Geographic, which are owned by 6abc's parent company.

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Music tour-ism is one of the biggest travel trends.

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Fans from all over flock to Chicago’s Lollapalooza.

When Paul, John, George and Ringo touched U.S. soil in 1964, Beatlemania swept across America. With Taylor Swift hitting the stage this summer for the European leg of her record-breaking Eras Tour, the continent sits in the midst of an all-out Taylor tantrum.

Not only is the “Shake It Off” singer taking her catalog of chart-topping hits on a 15-city jaunt, but thousands of Swifties are joining her on the ride, too, and they’re bringing their passports, sequin skirts and hefty wallets along with them.

If the European stretch of Swift’s tour is anything close to the behemoth that swept through North and South America in 2023 — between March and December of last year, Eras became the first tour in history to earn more than $1 billion — economies in places like Dublin and Warsaw are going to see seismic changes.

Zurich’s The Dolder Grand is ready for the Swifties.

Zurich , Switzerland, where the megastar will perform on July 9 and 10, is another destination that should feel “the Taylor Swift Effect.” The energy around The Dolder Grand , a Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star property sitting just five miles from Letzigrund stadium, is already electric.

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“We’re expecting 100 percent occupancy while Taylor Swift is in Zurich,” says Joachim Schweier, the hotel’s senior marketing and communications manager. “These concerts are directly impacting bookings, as fans are traveling the world to see their favorite artists. The Dolder Grand and the city of Zurich are preparing for an influx of tourism during these dates. These large events draw attention to the destinations, positively impacting the hotels, retail and restaurants in the city.”

Of course, fans following their favorite acts is far from a new phenomenon. The Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix faithful happily made the trip to a Bethel, New York, farm in 1969 for Woodstock. Folks migrate to Somerset, England, from all over Europe every year for the Glastonbury Festival. Still, the impact Swift, Beyoncé and a few other marquee names are having on travel plans today is unprecedented. The Dolder Grand room rates start at $1,940 on July 8, the day before Swift hits the stage. Prices drop to $840 once she leaves for Milan .

Jackson was in complete control at the 2023 OMF.

We all know that hotel rates fluctuate around big events. What’s less common knowledge is that festival organizers play a balancing act of staying affordable while keeping afloat. “But if we want to give these fans an ultimate experience, we can’t be the only people paying for it,” says Jason “J” Carter, founder of Dallas ’ new TwoGether Land festival and Atlanta ’s successful One Music Fest. Janet Jackson and Kendrick Lamar headlined the latter two-day show that welcomed roughly 100,000 music lovers in 2023. And while the 2024 lineup won’t be announced until July, anticipation is brewing. So too are rumbles about ticket prices. “It has to be a collective effort, if you want this,” Carter says. “But price sensitivity is something that we look at and take seriously.”

Still, he insists, “Janet and Kendrick ain’t cheap! These artists are getting millions of dollars, right? Their production costs millions of dollars. It’s all related. It’s all connected. That ticket price directly reflects the talent that you see on the stage and the cost to put that thing on.”

If you’re thinking about attending One Music Fest (October 26 and 27), flying to Chicago for the SZA-anchored Lollapalooza (August 1 to 4) or going to Post Malone-headlining Festival d’été de Québec in Quebec City (July 4 to 14), know that there’s a considerable investment attached. Between concert tickets, flights, hotels, food and merchandise, the U.S. Travel Association estimates the average Swiftie spreads $1,300 across local economies. But with more people craving experiential travel, many aren’t hesitating to pull out their credit cards.

The summer is heating up with music tours and festivals.

Leilani Brown is one of those fans. The strategic adviser/business coach has been “chasing sound” for years, journeying from her Charleston -area home to hear Roy Ayers in Los Angeles and see The Roots perform in Philadelphia . Over that time, she’s garnered a lot of experience on the road. Whether it’s picking the right travel buddy (“Ensure that your companion is a true music lover”), scoring good seats (“VIP is essential for better seating, viewing and bathroom access”) or packing a sensible outfit (“Wear layers and bring items you don’t mind discarding”), Brown knows that things must work in harmony for the trip to be a success.

One other key for fans driving or flying to a show is a simple but often overlooked tip — embrace the experience. Just because you’ve forked over a small fortune for a wristband, that does not mean you’re obligated to watch every act. Take breaks. Pace yourself. “This is a pleasure trip, not a work trip,” Brown says. “Leave room for serendipity — eat, drink, shop and sleep as you wish.”

And that’s where posh properties such as Rhode Island’s Castle Hill Inn come in. Sitting only an eight-minute drive from Fort Adams State Park, site of the beloved Newport Folk Festival (July 26 to 28) and Newport Jazz Festival (August 2 to 4), the Four-Star hotel has welcomed music fans to its property for decades. After concertgoers watch Hozier and Killer Mike’s sets, they drop into places like the Terrace Bar and Mansion Bar because the venues keep the energy festive with craft cocktails and a local jazz trio that riffs well into the night.

“The city takes great pride in [being welcoming],” says Brian Young, Castle Hill Inn’s managing director. “There is an influx of people over the course of the summertime. They’re all here for a really wonderful reason. For the folk festival, a lot of people tend to bike in. They’ll drop their cars at the outskirts of town and bike all the way in and just enjoy all that Newport has to offer.”

The Newport Folk Festival is always a great time.

Back in Zurich, while there’s nothing Swift-specific in The Dolder Grand’s plans, the hotel is all abuzz with its 125th anniversary going on while it also celebrates the seasonal reopening of vegan restaurant Blooms. “We are expecting our dining facilities to be at high occupancy levels during this time and recommend travelers make reservations prior to their arrival in Zurich,” Schweier says. “The Dolder Grand is excited to welcome these artists and visitors to the hotel and the city.”

Swift will wrap up the European portion of the Eras Tour on August 20 in London. After that, she’ll stop by Miami , New Orleans and a few other North American cities before ending the tour in Vancouver in December. But even when Swift unplugs the mic, it won’t mean the megastar tours will stop. Billie Eilish is hitting the road this fall and winter. There’s still a possibility of Beyoncé touring for Cowboy Carter . And with rumors of Rihanna returning to the studio, we can probably expect to see the pop sensation fill up arenas again soon, too.

“Megastars like Beyoncé supercharge folks,” Carter says. “You want to get back outside. If you’ve forgotten how live music makes you feel, Beyoncé will remind you. It almost heightens the need or desire to experience connectivity with fellow music lovers and your community. You want to do it again and again. It can definitely be addictive.”

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