Trip4real

About Trip4real

Trip4real operated as a peer-to-peer online marketplace focused on connecting travelers with local guides to offer authentic travel experiences across Europe. The company was founded in Barcelona in 2012 by Gloria Molins and Veronica Brezzo. Molins, the CEO, drew inspiration from her own extensive travels, where she found the most meaningful moments came from interactions with local residents. This led to the creation of a platform designed to move travelers away from tourist traps and toward immersive, insider experiences. Molins' professional background included roles at Hilton, HP, and a Google partner network, which provided a strong foundation for launching a tech-based travel startup.

The business model was commission-based, charging a fee on each transaction facilitated through the platform. This revenue structure supported services such as marketing, customer service, and quality control. The platform enabled local individuals to become micro-entrepreneurs by creating and selling unique tours and activities based on their personal passions and expertise, such as a culinary tour with a local chef or a city exploration with a street artist. Travelers could browse these offerings by location and interest, book directly, and communicate with the local host before the experience. The target market consisted of travelers seeking genuine, non-traditional tourism and locals who wanted to monetize their knowledge and hobbies.

The company demonstrated significant growth, securing initial funding from its founders and the Spanish government, followed by several investment rounds from venture capital firms like Kibo Ventures and Caixa Capital Risc, as well as an investment from renowned chef Ferran Adrià. Total funding reached approximately $2.92 million over four rounds. The platform expanded to cover over 70 European cities, curating thousands of unique activities. In a key strategic move, Trip4real was acquired by Airbnb in September 2016 for an undisclosed amount, estimated to be between €5 and €10 million. The acquisition was a natural fit, as both companies shared a vision of local, authentic travel. Following the acquisition, Trip4real was integrated into Airbnb's platform and ceased to operate as a standalone entity.