Profiles
Sydney startup Tipi is streamlining the hostel check in process
Sydney startup Tipi has created a keyless room entry system, helping to streamline the check in process for travellers at hostels around the world.
News & Analysis
Air New Zealand strikes innovation partnership with JetBlue Technology Ventures
The ‘International Innovation Partnership’, will see Air New Zealand work with JetBlue Technology Ventures to identify, help develop, and implement emerging tech in the travel sector.
Profiles
Melbourne startup Roamni helps locals share their knowledge of and stories about a place with tourists
Melbourne-founded traveltech startup Roamni built an app that allows locals in an area to record and share guided audio tours for tourists to listen to.
Other
The Cater Crew’s Rizvi Mridha promised he’d “never do something half-arsed” after shuttering his first business
“I promised myself I’d never do something half arsed…the decision was already made in my mind that if I was going to do something, I’d do it full time.”
Profiles
Travelshopa connects travellers to independent brands and stores for a local shopping experience
Finding unique stores in a new city or country can be a challenge for travellers; looking to make it easier through curated guides is Travelshopa.
Profiles
NSW startup Youcamp lets campers rent out spots on private land
Youcamp offerings range from simply allowing travellers in campers or caravans access to the land to park on, through to cottages or ‘glamping’ facilities.
Profiles
Alpaca Maps allows users to create content-rich interactive maps to showcase travel itineraries
Alpaca Maps allows users to create and share interactive maps which display content-rich routes and itineraries, showcasing things to see and do at each stop.
News & Analysis
Melbourne travel startup Locomote set to expand to the UK
Melbourne corporate travel and expense platform Locomote has today announced a new name along with its intent to head overseas, changing its name to Travelport Locomote as it gears up to expand into the United Kingdom.
Profiles
Sydney startup LayAway Travel allows travellers to pay for pre-packaged trips through lay-by
LayAway Travel is an online service allowing travellers to book pre-packaged holidays and pay for them through the old concept of lay by, paying off a trip between five to 24 months before jetting off.
Profiles
Sparrow Flights wants to make searching for and booking flights a 20 second process
Australian startup Sparrow Flights aims to speed this process up to just 20 seconds by allowing users to book flights in just three taps and a swipe, with no booking or credit card fees to boot.
News & Analysis
Sydney-based tourism startup Booking Boss brings on Taronga Zoo as a premier client
Sydney-based traveltech startup Booking Boss has announced that it has brought on Taronga Zoo as a premier client. The news comes a little over a month after Booking Boss launched its partnership with online travel giant Expedia, highlighting the growth of the platform since its launch two years ago.
Profiles
HeyFone looks to make roaming charges a thing of the past by equipping hotel rooms with smartphones
Put your hand up if you’ve used the phone in a hotel room more than a dozen times. They are often clunky, confusing to use and, worst of all, expensive. Beyond phoning in for room service, hotel room phones today have never quite seemed to live up to their 80s heyday. But Australian startup HeyFone believes they’re not done just yet – they just need a major revamp, that’s all. The startup, led by founder Brad Byrne, has created a customised smartphone solution for hotels.
News & Analysis
Melbourne traveltech startup Locomote announces strategic partnership with Allianz Global Assistance
Australian travel and expense platform Locomote has announced a new strategic partnership with Allianz Global Assistance, which will see Locomote’s platform integrated with Allianz travel insurance services to provide corporate travellers with protection while on the road.
News & Analysis
Expedia announces partnership with Aussie startup Booking Boss
Sydney based startup Booking Boss announced they have secured a partnership deal with online travel giant Expedia. The partnership will help connect tour operators and trade distributors in a more efficient way. This is a great milestone for the Aussie startup and has proved their commitment to global expansion.
Profiles
TravelTech startup Bindle pivots and enters slightly more competitive ‘experiences’ market
Bindle was one of many TravelTech startups that launched in Australia last year. A majority of them have not been able to generate enough traction to warrant them sticking around to the point of monetisation. Bindle, however, which raised around $90,000 to test and refine its concept and prove product-market fit, decided to scale back some of its features and switch its target market.
