Layla Acquires Roam Around A Strategic Move in Travel Tech

In a significant development in the travel tech sector, Layla, a startup supported by prominent investors such as firstminute capital, M13, Booking.com co-founder Andy Phillipps, Skyscanner co-founder Barry Smith, and Paris Hilton, has announced its acquisition of the AI itinerary building bot Roam Around. While the financial terms of the deal remain undisclosed, the acquisition marks a strategic move for Layla to enhance its offerings in trip planning and itinerary management.

Background of Roam Around and its Acquisition

Roam Around, founded by Shie Gabbai, a former Google employee with experience at Waze, emerged as a notable player in the travel AI space. The company secured $1 million in funding from investors including FLYR.com and Jason Calacanis. With a team of five professionals, Roam Around developed an AI-powered platform that generated over 10 million itineraries, attracting half a million monthly visitors to its website.

Synergies and Integration with Layla

Layla, known for its AI-powered trip planning bot, saw Roam Around as a complementary addition to its portfolio. Saad Saeed, co-founder of Layla, emphasized the alignment of strengths between the two companies, with Layla focusing on flight prediction models, hotel partnerships, and content aggregation from travel creators, while Roam Around specialized in itinerary creation and integration with platforms like TripAdvisor, Kayak, Viator, and GetYourGuide.

The integration of Roam Around’s technology into Layla’s platform aims to enhance the user experience by providing more comprehensive and accurate itinerary data. Conversely, Layla’s bot will also be featured on Roam Around’s website, expanding Layla’s reach and user base.

Future Plans and Market Trends

As Layla moves forward with the acquisition, the company plans to phase out the Roam Around brand gradually and fully integrate its features into the Layla platform. This strategic consolidation reflects the competitive landscape in the travel tech industry, where startups are leveraging AI and partnership networks to offer innovative solutions for travelers.

The acquisition of Roam Around by Layla comes amid a broader trend of technological innovation in the travel sector. Competitors like Kayak and Expedia have introduced GPT Plugins, while Matador Network’s GuideGeek tool incorporates real-time flight details. Layla’s emphasis on embedding influencer videos aligns with Matador’s strategy, indicating a shift towards personalized and content-rich travel experiences.

In regions like India, startups such as Kogo, backed by navigation company MapMyIndia, are exploring AI-based solutions to enhance localized travel experiences. This trend underscores the growing demand for tailored and data-driven travel services, presenting opportunities for startups to innovate and collaborate in the evolving travel tech ecosystem.