Amstelveen-based TravelTech startup GeniusTravel has successfully closed a €2 million funding round, earmarked for the imminent rollout of its AI-powered application designed to streamline the discovery and booking of complete travel packages. The capital infusion will primarily facilitate the app's launch in the Netherlands this year, with strategic plans for subsequent expansion into broader European markets.
The genesis of GeniusTravel stems from founder Gennie Freen's personal frustration with the laborious and fragmented process of comparing countless online platforms, destinations, and prices to secure affordable trips. Freen's vision was to consolidate this complex endeavor into a singular, intuitive platform that harnesses artificial intelligence to simplify travel planning, particularly for the budget-conscious consumer.
The GeniusTravel app is engineered as a comprehensive solution for crafting entire trips, encompassing both flights and accommodation, meticulously tailored to individual preferences and budgetary constraints. A cornerstone feature is its AI travel agent, which users can engage with via chat or message, mirroring the conversational ease of modern AI tools. By simply articulating their travel desires, the AI autonomously curates a personalized selection of travel packages, aiming to make trip planning as straightforward as posing a question to a generative AI. Beyond bespoke curation, GeniusTravel leverages AI to identify and compile daily deals across diverse categories, including short trips under €120 per person (inclusive of flights and accommodation), weekend getaways, packages to popular destinations, and last-minute departures. The platform also features a daily top 10 deals list, catering to spontaneous travelers and those prioritizing value. For users preferring a more hands-on approach, the app offers a robust suite of filters, enabling searches by budget alone to yield global offers, or more specific criteria such as destination and travel dates. GeniusTravel enhances its offering through a strategic collaboration with Expedia, utilizing its extensive database to dynamically mix and match flights and accommodations, backed by a "best-price guarantee" on its unique travel packages. Future updates are slated to introduce additional filters for accommodation facilities and amenities.
Following over three years of dedicated development and extensive Beta-testing, the GeniusTravel app is now freely accessible for download on both the Apple App Store (iOS) and Google Play Store (Android). The company positions itself as allegedly the first AI app specifically designed for complete travel packages targeting the budget-conscious segment. This differentiation aims to carve out a distinct niche in the highly competitive travel technology landscape by offering unparalleled ease and affordability through intelligent automation. Its focus on comprehensive packages, rather than merely individual components like flights or hotels, combined with an AI-first approach for personalized, budget-friendly options, sets it apart from traditional online travel agencies that often require users to manually assemble trip elements.
