18 Startups Revitalizing Travel in 2023
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The travel industry was one of the hardest hit industries during the pandemic.
Through the first half of 2022, global tourism began to recover with arrivals jumping back to nearly 60% of pre-pandemic levels. 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 2023 and beyond.
1. Roadsurfer
5-year search growth: 2750%
Search growth status: Exploding
Year founded: 2017
Location: Bayern, Germany
Funding: $30.2M (Series Unknown)
What they do: Roadsurfer rents out customized camper vans in 13 countries in Europe. Besides the core rental service, the startup also offers a number of optional add-ons for each trip, like kitchen cutlery. Each plan also includes an insurance policy.
2. SafetyWing
5-year search growth: 2200%
Search growth status: Regular
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.
3. Airalo
5-year search growth: 99X+
Search growth status: Exploding
Year founded: 2019
Location: Singapore, Singapore
Funding: $7.3M (Series A)
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 are becoming an increasingly-common feature in newer models. The SIM company recently raised $5.4 million in their most recent series A funding found.
4. TravelPerk
5-year search growth: 427%
Search growth status: Exploding
Year founded: 2015
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Funding: $408.2M (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.
5. YouLi (YouLive to Travel)
5-year search growth: 144%
Search growth status: Regular
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: 500%
Search growth status: Exploding
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.
7. Tracki
5-year search growth: 172%
Search growth status: Exploding
Year founded: 2019
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.
8. Very Local Trip
5-year search growth: 50%
Search growth status: Peaked
Year founded: 2014
Location: Singapore, Singapore
Funding: Undisclosed
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.
9. Tentrr
5-year search growth: -50%
Search growth status: Peaked
Year founded: 2015
Location: New York, New York
Funding: $17.9M (Seed)
What they do: Tentrr is an online portal for booking traditional campsites, along with "glamping" options. Users can filter and sort camp site options based on amenities (fishing, biking etc.) and user ratings. The service also includes an option to book events and experiences, like horseback riding).
10. Away
5-year search growth: 3%
Search growth status: Peaked
Year founded: 2015
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 sleep masks, travel pillows and compression socks.
11. GOTRAX
5-year search growth: 375%
Search growth status: Exploding
Year founded: 2017
Location: Carrollton, Texas
Funding: Undisclosed
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: 200%
Search growth status: Exploding
Year founded: 2012
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Funding: $36.6M (Series B)
What they do: Lodgify develops software that help 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, Vrrbo, and Expedia.
13. Bobobox
5-year search growth: 8000%
Search growth status: Exploding
Year founded: 2017
Location: Badung, Indonesia
Funding: $13M (Series A)
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.
14. Questo
5-year search growth: 13%
Search growth status: Regular
Year founded: 2017
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" in order discover interesting spots and learn about local lore. Each quest is designed by a local "creator". The app currently offers quests in over 100 cities.
15. Bespoke
5-year search growth: 20%
Search growth status: Exploding
Year founded: 2015
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Funding: $2.6M (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: 175%
Search growth status: Exploding
Year founded: 2015
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: 9000%
Search growth status: Exploding
Year founded: 2018
Location: Zagreb, Croatia
Funding: Undisclosed
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. Tripsider (formerly Youtravel.me)
5-year search growth: 600%
Search growth status: Regular
Year founded: 2018
Location: San Francisco, CA
Funding: $1M (Seed)
What they do: Youtravel.me (now Tripsider) helps small groups book multi-day tours led by local experts. Each booking includes full online payments. And over 12,000 tours include guaranteed "departures" (in other words, the tour is guaranteed to happen on time).
Conclusion
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.