Airbnb has had success in providing a platform for travelers looking to stay somewhere other than hotels, but lodging is only one aspect of a trip. Where to eat? What to see? Airbnb’s recent acquisition of a startup travel-planning service shows that the company is inching toward offering one-stop shopping for travelers.
Airbnb inked an unspecified deal over the weekend to purchase Trip4real, Venture Beat reports, citing Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia.
Trip4real, which launched in 2012, connects travelers with locals who arrange tour activities for their visit. Sound familiar? That’s exactly the concept Airbnb has been toying with for the past several months.
In March, the company said it was trying out an add-on service that will let travelers book things like meals made by a personal chef, restaurant reservations, art gallery tours, and bike rentals in anticipation of their trips.
Just last month, a new Airbnb app, called Airbnb Trips, appeared on the Google Play Store. The app would act as a concierge of sorts for travelers, providing them with personalized suggestions on activities based on city guidebooks, dining, and happy hour events.
While Airbnb has stayed mum on the app and its entrance into the travel planning industry, Bloomberg reported last month that more details could be divulged during a conference in November.
It’s unclear how Airbnb will incorporate the newly acquired company into its ongoing trip-planning initiatives. Trip4real could become the go-to planning option for Airbnb users, or pieces of the company could be transferred to the Airbnb Trips app.
Airbnb acquires Spain-based travel-planning startup Trip4real [Venture Beat]
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