Tripwire has disrupted the digital marketplace by creating a social travel platform that unlike existing sites encourages localised conversation and real-life meet-ups. Specifically targeting millennials, Tripwire was selected by Apple as a top travel app (‘Gap Year Tool’) and is preparing to roll out phase two in November before a full consumer launch in January 2017.
The app uses ‘pin-dropping’ technology that immediately connects users to their destination, enabling travellers to unlock a local feed of real-time information, meet fellow travellers and make bookings.
Since securing 5,000 beta-testers, Tripwire has already gained a loyal following of travel influencers and bloggers. Developed by travellers for travellers, the founders were invited to join the prestigious Ted x speakers and share how Tripwire is challenging the travel tech market.
The travel start-up secured £200,000 investment and the backing of high profile partners, including Mad Monkey Hostels, the largest hostel chain in South East Asia.
“As travellers we were becoming disillusioned with travel guides like Lonely Planet who are immediately outdated and travel review sites like TripAdvisor whose content is often unreliable and biased. We craved not only real-time travel tips, but also the ability to connect with nearby travellers and a platform that alerts us when our paths cross again.
“Travelling is all about real life experiences and squeezing the most of each day. Tripwire enhances the real life by giving users current information and opportunities to connect. It digitalises the travellers word-of-mouth and creates travelling communities too.
“We’ve been blown away with the interest we’ve had from both travellers and partners and we’re now looking to secure further investment to support the next phase.” Hal Tyler, Co-Founder, Tripwire.
Millennial travellers have a thirst for real-time information on an interactive social platform and Tripwire has plugged this gap. South East Asia has been selected as the primary market as it’s at the pinnacle of youth travel, smart-phone usage and WIFI connectivity.
