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13 July, 2018

Tripfuser CEO: “Disruption and evolution in the industry are necessary”

Melbourne based startup, Tripfuser is helping pave a path to disruption.

Playing on major travel trends like immersive experiences and personalisation, the app connects travellers with established, in-destination operators, or local experts, to create fully tailored and personalised adventures.

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Since launching in 2017, they’ve expanded into 22 countries, including Bhutan and Japan, and seen over 4,000 trips created on the platform.

And it now they want to take on the ‘traditional players’.

We chatted with Tripfuser’s CEO Matt Beard to find out more about the case for disruption in travel and why they don’t see Airbnb as a competitor.

Travel Weekly: How is Tripfuser paving a path to disruption?

Matt Beard: The tours and activities segment of travel is mostly comprised of free sell, pre-packaged group travel offerings.

Tripfuser is opening up the market for on-demand personalised travel — and we’re seeing that travellers are responding strongly to it.

TW: Why is disruption important in the travel industry?

MB: Every industry must come face-to-face with disruption, and the travel industry is no exception. Disruption and evolution in the industry are necessary to ensure we constantly deliver solutions that delight travellers and bring them back to that sense of joy they get when planning a trip.

The emergence of new technology and new paradigm shifts in the way people live and work means we as an industry need to think of better ways to engage younger travellers who are pressed for extra money and time yet still crave meaningful experiences.

As travellers’ personal preferences change, the industry, too, must change to meet new demands.

TW: How is Tripfuser challenging the traditional players?

MB: Our focus is to enable the creation and delivery of unique trip solutions. As Tripfuser is a two-sided digital marketplace that directly connects travellers with local operators, we have flattened the supply chain, which creates a significant value shift while.

We’ve also partnered with key affiliates, such as the payout platform, Hyperwallet, and agents to expand our offering into new markets and destinations.

TW: Why don’t you see Airbnb as a competitor?

MB: We really like what Airbnb is doing with Experiences by expanding into the short duration, free sell experience and trip segment of the market.

Our focus, however, is on inspiring travellers to book longer duration, personalised experiences; we see our respective solutions as highly complementary offerings for travellers who are looking for more authentic connections with the communities in which they are travelling.

TW: What does the future of the travel industry look like to you?

MB: I see an ongoing shift by travellers towards more personalisation and sharing of travel experiences, which will affect all parts of the dream-plan-travel cycle.

As more tools to capture and share unique experiences emerge, more ways to personalise travel solutions will evolve.

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Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

personalisation startup tripfuser