5 New Travel Startups That Apply Old Models to New Markets

These travel startups are carving a niche for themselves by taking a proven model of search and book and applying it to previously underserved markets from fishing to parking lots.

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>> TourMatters is an online guide and rating service for tour operators and tours. Users can search for operators based on group size, age, activity and accommodations. They can then read through each profile for reviews, tours, awards, and competitors.

SkiftTake: There is a review and comparison site for almost every aspect of the travel experience at this point so it only makes sense for a comprehensive tour platform to emerge; however, many travelers make a choice based specifically on destination and tour type limiting the scope of comparative research.

>> Discount Park & Ride is a dashboard where the owners of off-site airport and cruise parking lots can list their lots and spaces. Users can reserve a spot, pay online and receive savings on long-term and short-term parking.

SkiftTake: This is big business in a select number of markets with large airport and cruise operations, but the ability to plan and reserve a spot ahead is becoming a necessity in the minds of many of today’s digital travelers.

>> Wellobox markets itself as a tour guide-in-a-box. The curated box includes vouches, products and local travel advices that travelers use in a certain location. The box, which can also be ordered as a gift, is delivered to recipients’ hotels before their arrival. The Wellobox can be designed based on four categories (foodie, adventure, sightseer, family box) and is currently available in Boston.

SkiftTake: Wellobox ignores of the digital innovations of the last decade, which seems like a foolish choice but could appeal to a certain kind of traveler who likes to waste paper.

>> Quicket aims to be a one-stop-shop of travel apps by offering end-to-end travel services including air ticket purchase, mobile payment, frequent flyer program recognition, ticket cancellation, mobile check-in, meal selector, and on-board seat advisor. The app is designed for frequent and last-minute flyers who want to search, book and check-in as quickly as possible.

SkiftTake: Quicket target a relatively small group of travelers who have the need to book and check-in on-the-go with little preparation involved. It is more likely to become one of several planning tools used by travelers who have repeatedly proven they prefer using several sites instead of just one.

>> FishingBooker is an online marketplace that connects fishing charters with fishermen. Anglers can browse through a database of available charters in their target fishing location, compare prices, book trips and write reviews. Captains can also use the platform to reach a larger customer base and market their services.

SkiftTake: There’s a growing number of niche travel marketplaces that are finding and catering to a previously underserved customer base. FishingBooker falls under this category.