Layla, funded by firstminute capital, M13, Booking.com co-founder Andy Phillipps, Skyscanner co-founder Barry Smith, and Paris Hilton, acquired AI-powered itinerary creation bot Roam Around today. Layla did not reveal the deal’s value.
After working on Waze with Google, Shie Gabbai started Roam Around last year. Investors like FLYR.com and Jason Calacanis gave the firm $1 million. The transaction includes Roam Around’s five-person team joining Layla. With half a million monthly visitors, Roam Around has 10 million itineraries.
Layla, an AI-powered bot that uses Booking.com and Skyscanner to assist consumers in booking vacations, debuted last year. Creator of Beautiful Destinations Jeremy Jauncey was a co-founder of the business. Layla uses a massive collection of travel creator material to offer visitors unique perspectives and videos when they’re seeking a location to visit.
Layla co-founder Saad Saeed claimed Roam Around’s itinerary-building bot and relationships with TripAdvisor, Kayak, Viator, and GetYourGuide enhanced Layla’s offering.
The most rapidly expanding travel AI company is Roam Around. Their itinerary product has skyrocketed in popularity. We’ve been successful with social, so we complimented each other’s skills,” he told Eltrys.
The best flight prediction algorithms, hotels, Skyscanner, and Booking.com relationships were our priorities. Itineraries combining Viator and all eateries were their main emphasis. The goal was to combine the finest of both worlds.”
Layla has begun integrating Roam Around. Layla users can get improved itinerary data. Additionally, Layla has posted its bot on Roam Around’s site.
Saeed said the business would gradually phase out Roam Around and incorporate it with Layla.
Travel startups Kayak and Expedia introduced GPT plugins. GuideGeek from Matador Network displays real-time flight information. Matador, like Layla, wants influencer videos on outcomes. MapMyIndia has sponsored Kogo, an AI-based travel business that localizes travel experiences.
