Global tailor-made holiday platform TravelLocal.com announced it has merged with Berlin-based trip.me and has also raised additional funding from existing investors.
The merger creates a significant online marketplace for tailor-made travel, combining the companies’ presence in both the English and German-language markets.
The combined business brings together customers in more than 100 countries worldwide, with a significant presence in the US, the UK, Germany, Canada and Australia.
The two companies employ a similar model, connecting a global clientele directly with handpicked local travel experts based in nearly 100 countries worldwide.
The merged business will continue to focus on tailor-made private itineraries for mid- to high-end clients, primarily in the long-haul and mid-haul segments.
This travel market segment grew strongly pre-Covid.
"This merger combines the strength of two pioneers in this area at the perfect time," said Tom Stapleton, TravelLocal.com CEO.
Together with the merger, a £2.5 million Series A extension has been raised, led by consumer-focused investment firm Active Partners.
It brings the total raised by the combined entities to £13 million to date.
The merger will not impact the respective teams and headcount of the two companies.
Matthias Woppman, Co-Founder of trip.me said:: "The combination of TravelLocal and trip.me is a powerful one, really opening up international growth potential and significantly expanding our destination coverage and supply.."
