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The traveltech company will use newly-raised capital to increase new hires, accelerate marketing efforts and expand into new markets

Vietnam-based travel platform startup Triip has raised US$500,000 in seed funding in a round led by Gobi Partners.

It plans to use funds to increase hiring, ramp up marketing efforts to attract new users and expand into new markets.

This investment marks Gobi Partner’s fourth investment in a traveltech startup. Previously it invested in Chinese travel package e-commerce site Tuniu, place of interest discovery app Spottly, and Indonesian travel platform Tripvisto.

Triip was founded in 2013 in Ho Chi Minh City by Co-founders Ha Lam and Hai Ho, a husband-wife dynamic duo who sold their house to bootstrap the startup. The goal was to enable individuals to become local independent guides and offer travellers unique local experiences not covered by conventional tour packages.

These tours range from exploration of local cultural elements such as art, music, food, history and scenery, as well as more tailored experiences catering to hobbies such as adventure, technology, jewelry, sports, etcetera.

Also Read: 5 Asia-based travel startups you should check out

How it works

On the platform, locals can sign on to become Triip Creators, allowing them to create their own custom tour packages – and earn money. Triip screens all tour guides and experiences to ensure they are trustworthy and reliable.

It also two-way rating system to weed out bad guides and travellers. Upon completion of the tour, payment is delivered to the guide, Triip then receives 10 per cent of it.

Triip is currently available in 86 countries, across 600 cities with 5,000 experiences passionately curated by over 9,000 Triip Creators.

“Our Triip Creators deliver their experiences from their heart, not for profit. They already have their own day jobs – so they are not commission-driven like many traditional tour guides. In this way, we believe that through Triip, travelers can have a more authentic and enjoyable travel experience as they meet real people to share passions and create friendships,” said Ha Lam, in an official press release.

Image Credit: Shutterstock

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