TravelLocal.com transforms the tailor-made holidays sector

TravelLocal.com, which offers tailor-made holidays and authentic experiences directly from carefully-selected local experts worldwide, has raised a growth capital funding round to assist it in accelerating its growth globally. 

Bristol-based TravelLocal is transforming the tailor-made holidays industry by enabling clients to book directly with hand-picked local travel companies based in their chosen destination, cutting out the traditional middleman. This enables TravelLocal to deliver authentic personalised holidays and advice from true experts – travel professionals who live in the destination – combined with the convenience of booking online and the security of ABTA protection.

Founded by Tom Stapleton and Huw Owen, the innovative TravelLocal.com web platform launched in 2016, with Mark Hudson having joined as Executive Chairman a year earlier.

This growth capital funding round will enable TravelLocal to accelerate its global expansion as a worldwide holiday provider by adding new destinations and reaching more customers. To date, the company features 46 destinations, with clients from 34 countries. TravelLocal is growing fast, trebling bookings year-on-year. 

TravelLocal co-founder and Joint MD Tom Stapleton comments: “What people want from their holidays is changing – personalised and authentic experiences are essential – and we’re at the forefront of that.

“We’re excited that, with this additional funding, we will be able to add more great holiday destinations around the world, as well as to extend our marketing activities and further enhance our web platform.”

TravelLocal co-founder and Joint MD Huw Owen comments: “We’re bringing the ‘buy local’ and fairer trade movements to tailor-made holidays. Our clients love the fact that they are creating and booking their holiday directly with hand-picked experts in the country they will visit, who know it better than anyone.

“With TravelLocal, as well as getting the best local knowledge and fairer value, more of their money also benefits the destination they are visiting. Our local travel experts are, we believe, the hidden stars of the travel sector.”

The growth capital funding round was provided by London-based Active Partners, which backs founderled businesses with a distinctive proposition and strong brand. Existing ‘angel’ investors also participated in the round. Active Partners was especially attracted by TravelLocal’s growth and exceptional client feedback – with a Net Promoter Score of over 90 – and the global reach of the brand.

Active Partners has previously funded Soho House, cycling brand Rapha and Leon Restaurants.

TravelLocal is a member of SetSquared, the leading tech spin-out hub in the South West of England, which is one of the UK’s largest and most active digital/tech economies.

Notes for Editors: 

• For more about TravelLocal, see https://www.travellocal.com/about/about-us 
• For more on the destinations we cover, see https://www.travellocal.com/destinations 
• For recent articles and sample itineraries, see https://www.travellocal.com/inspiration
• For our reviews, see https://www.travellocal.com/inspiration?types=3
• For further information about Active Partners, see https://active.partners/ 

For further information, contact Sue Ockwell at Travel PR (07831 126 356) – s.ockwell@travelpr.co.uk.