Travly: A New Social-First Discovery and Hotel Booking Platform
In response to the growing number of travelers who rely on short-form video content for trip ideas, Travly has emerged as a social-first discovery and hotel booking platform. Unlike other platforms that provide generic information and outdated images, Travly features user-generated content that offers authentic reviews of hotels. Co-founded by travel enthusiasts Zak Longo and Mayur Patil, Travly initially started as a travel network on Instagram and TikTok. However, in the summer of 2022, the duo acquired @Travel and built a social community with millions of followers across various social media platforms.
The success of Travly’s social media channels, including @Cruises, @Hotels, @Resorts, and @Vacation, has enabled the platform to reach over 1 billion monthly views collectively. Additionally, Travly has an ambassador group of around 1,000 creators who assist with brand deals on its social media accounts. With this extensive network and insights gained from their travel community, Longo and Patil decided to develop their own trip discovery product, resulting in the launch of a video-focused booking platform and mobile app.
To power its search capability, Travly integrated with Booking.com, providing users with access to millions of hotels worldwide. The platform aims to bridge the gap between social media and travel booking, catering to the newer generation of travelers who use social media as a search tool. By utilizing the network’s vast video content, Travly allows users to book the hotels they see on social media.
One unique aspect of Travly is its video submission feature, which offers anyone with high-quality videos of hotels a 5% commission from all bookings made through the platform for that hotel. However, Travly only accepts one video per hotel and may replace it if it performs poorly. The platform analyzes factors such as average view duration and click-through rate to ensure fairness to the hotels. It also considers swapping out videos if hotels offer new amenities they want to promote.
As of now, Travly has garnered around 2,000 sign-ups and received 500 video submissions. In addition to its video-centric approach, the platform offers a feature called Destination Dupes. This playful feature compares luxurious travel destinations with more affordable alternatives that offer a similar experience. It not only helps users save money but also allows them to discover hidden gems. For example, Travly highlights the price difference between a hotel in London and one in Krakow, Poland, offering a similar charm at a lower cost.
Travly also provides users with the option to click on the “Discover new directions” button, which guides them through a series of questions to curate a selection of travel ideas. The platform’s AI assistant pulls up hotels that fit the user’s description, making it easier to plan a lazy, low-budget holiday or any other specific type of trip.
Looking ahead, Travly plans to expand its offerings by integrating more experiences into the platform. This includes offering trip packages, restaurant reservations, and concert tickets, aiming to provide users with a comprehensive travel planning experience. To generate additional revenue, the company is considering incorporating ads on the platform.
Travly’s entrance into the travel booking space aligns with the growing trend of travel influencers and the creator economy. With the creator economy estimated to be a $250 billion industry, startups like Travly and Plannin (founded by former Priceline executives) are capitalizing on the opportunity to monetize hotel recommendations from influencers. As the market continues to expand, Travly’s unique approach and focus on social media-driven travel discovery may position it as a prominent player in the booking space.