Top 10 Travel Startups to Watch in 2023

The travel industry has always been ripe for innovation. The wave of travel startups emerging from cities such as San Francisco, New York, London, Berlin, and beyond is a testament to the dynamism in travel and tourism. The pandemic might have created hurdles, but it also created opportunities.

These 10 startups, which have emerged as innovators in 2023, are characterized by swift growth trajectories, an ability to leverage the latest technologies, an unwavering relevance to users, and a flair for introducing innovative ideas.

Here are the top travel startups reshaping the travel landscape in 2023:

1. AltoVita: Global Corporate Accommodations Simplified

AltoVita is a game changer in the business travel and short-term rental sector. Unlike Airbnb and Booking.com, AltoVita specializes in corporate housing — everywhere from Munich to Minnesota and Berlin to Barcelona.

Backed by a robust algorithm, this booking platform offers more than 7 million vetted accommodations across 35,000 locations worldwide. From online check-in to an intuitive mobile app for expense management, AltoVita ensures seamless travel experiences and streamlined booking platforms. 

AltoVita is an innovator in the outdated corporate housing industry. The company understands the importance of offering immersive API connectivity; it has built partnerships with rental property providers and offers a single hub for relocation management and business travel.

2. Take Up: Elevating Boutique Hotel Revenue Through AI

In the ever-evolving hospitality industry, determining optimal room rates remains an ongoing challenge — especially for boutique hotels. TakeUp, which features a state-of-the-art online platform powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning, brings a tailored solution to this challenge. The company employs real-time algorithms that adaptively adjust room rates based on data-driven insights.

TakeUp focuses on independent hotels that can benefit from an online platform to determine optimal room rates, something that was previously only accessible to larger properties and chains. Furthermore, the company’s partnership with providers ensures seamless integration and white-glove customer service, enhancing the overall customer experience.

3. Ukio: Reshaping Long-Term Rentals

The future of short-term and vacation rentals looks stylish with Ukio, a Barcelona-based travel startup. The company’s beautifully designed apartments across Europe are crafted for the modern business traveler or remote worker. Ukio bridges the gap between short-term vacation rentals and long-term commitments by offering these furnished apartments for extended stays.

Ukio prioritizes the user experience with a hotel-like check-in process, a mobile app to request concierge services, and local partnerships in every neighborhood. With its recent expansion into France, Portugal, and Germany, Ukio is an excellent example of how shifting work trends and habits have extended to the tourism industry.

4. TripNotes.ai: AI-Driven Itinerary Planning

Harnessing the power of AI, TripNotes.ai presents travelers with real-time itineraries based on their queries.

Founder Matthew Rosenberg came up with the idea while building his previous company, Welcome — a travel app that curates and maps businesses based on users’ interests and millions of data points. He realized that the platform could do even more if he integrated AI technology, and TripNotes.ai was born. “With our travel data and generative AI, we’re perfectly positioned to release a consumer app that vastly simplifies how we plan trips, make reservations, and explore the world,” Rosenberg shared on his LinkedIn.

5. Indie Campers: Adventurous Travels, Simplified

From Lisbon to Los Angeles, Indie Campers offers a comprehensive marketplace for renting more than 6,000 campervans and RVs, making road trips hassle-free and memorable. 

The rental process is swift, easy, and can be done entirely online. Travelers enter dates as well as pickup and drop-off locations and find their perfect adventure on wheels. Indie Campers’ recent partnerships in the U.S. have further expanded the company’s offerings, providing travelers with a one-stop shop for adventurous journeys.

6. Sagra Farms: Curating Farm Stays Across America

Sagra, which derives its name from the Italian term for a festive harvest celebration, is a pioneering hospitality startup championing the essence of sustainable farming. By curating immersive farm stays, Sagra bridges the gap between the producer and the consumer, deepening the bond with our food and the land it springs from.

Every Sagra experience offers guests an intimate understanding of regenerative farming and a taste of delectable, farm-fresh meals. Every booking helps fuel another season of sustainable farming.

7. Skipper: Hotel Bookings Reinvented

Skipper offers guests and hoteliers a reimagined, end-to-end booking and payment experience. Working with hotels’ existing technology systems, Skipper enhances what matters most to hotels, including direct conversion, revenue, cash flow control, and security.

Built by a team of hospitality veterans, Skipper empowers hotels with customized e-commerce solutions and ensures a hassle-free check-in for travelers, whether they are on a business trip in San Francisco or a vacation in Spain.

8. Navan: The New Age of Business Travel and Expense

Navan offers an all-in-one travel and expense management solution—a product that challenges traditional corporate travel management models. With a seamless blend of business travel, expense management, and corporate cards, the late-stage startup is redefining the business travel experience.

Unlike traditional travel companies and online travel agencies, Navan offers more than just a booking platform. This all-in-one, end-to-end solution reimagines corporate travel and expense management by leveraging AI, machine learning, and a mobile app to automate once-burdensome processes. 

The end user is Navan’s highest priority. It’s a focus that results in an unparalleled customer experience and winning partnerships with travel and credit card providers.

9. Skift: The Pulse of the Global Travel Industry

With its fingers on the pulse of global travel trends, Skift stands as an authoritative voice in the travel business. The company offers invaluable insights and real-time intelligence into the ever-evolving travel landscape. 

While the business publication started by focusing on the U.S. and Europe, it recently expanded its coverage to Asia and India. The Skift team in India is multiplying, and the publication has announced its intentions to put more resources and attention toward the massive global travel market.

10. A Hotel Life: Conscious Travel Reimagined

A Hotel Life (AHL) is a media website that profiles creative hoteliers and innovative tech companies in the travel industry. All of its content emphasizes the beauty, design, and community of travel, and it attracts an audience of readers who prioritize travel as a part of their lives. AHL also profiles one-off events that sit at the intersection of culture, nature, art, and hospitality. By remaining focused on the beauty of travel, it’s a must-visit for discerning travelers and industry professionals.

The convergence of travel technology, advancements in artificial intelligence, and evolving traveler needs have paved the way for these innovative startups. As the line between business travel and leisure blurs, these companies are set to redefine what it means to mix travel, work, and play. Keep an eye out for these disruptors in the travel industry.

Contact Navan to learn how we can streamline your travel and expense management.