Travel Startup Layla Acquires AI Itinerary Building Bot Roam Around
The integration of Roam Around's product into Layla's platform has already begun, allowing Layla users to access enhanced itinerary data.
Travel startup Layla has announced the acquisition of AI-powered itinerary building bot Roam Around. The deal, whose valuation remains undisclosed, sees Layla bolstering its offerings with Roam Around's expertise in itinerary creation and its strong partnerships in the travel industry.
Founded last year by former Google employee Shie Gabbai, Roam Around quickly gained traction, attracting investments totaling $1 million from backers like Flyr.com and Jason Calacanis. With 10 million itineraries built and half a million monthly visitors to its site, Roam Around has established itself as a significant player in the travel AI space.
As part of the acquisition, Roam Around's team of five will join Layla, enhancing Layla's capabilities and expanding its reach in the travel market. Layla, launched publicly last year, offers an AI-powered trip planning bot that aggregates information from various sources like Booking.com and Skyscanner. Co-founded by Jeremy Jauncey, Layla leverages content from travel creators to provide users with unique perspectives and insights when planning their trips.
According to Saad Saeed, Layla's co-founder, the acquisition of Roam Around aligns with Layla's vision to enhance its product and strengthen its partnerships in the travel industry. By integrating Roam Around's itinerary-building bot and leveraging its partnerships with platforms like TripAdvisor, Kayak, Viator, and GetYourGuide, Layla aims to provide users with comprehensive and personalized travel experiences.
The integration of Roam Around's product into Layla's platform has already begun, allowing Layla users to access enhanced itinerary data. Conversely, Layla's bot will also be available on Roam Around's site, offering seamless integration between the two platforms.
Saeed stated that Layla plans to phase out the Roam Around brand gradually and fully integrate its features into Layla's offerings. This acquisition reflects Layla's commitment to innovation and its goal of providing users with a seamless and immersive travel planning experience.
In the competitive landscape of travel startups, Layla's acquisition of Roam Around positions it to offer differentiated and value-added services to its users. With the travel industry witnessing increasing demand for AI-powered solutions, Layla is poised to capitalize on this trend and further solidify its position as a leading player in the market.
