Australian-based travel start-up Travello is in the process of being sold to Michigan-based travel tech company TWAI, Travel Weekly can reveal. Travello currently partners with several large travel companies, including Flight Centre, Intrepid and G.
Travello was founded in 2015 by Ryan Hanly and Mark Cantoni. Based in Brisbane, the company is known for its social network, which connects travellers with other people as well as tours and activities. In 2022, it was reported that more than two million people had used Travello to access over 20,000 different tours and attractions.
TWAI (Travel Wholesale and Internet) is a travel tech company that connects travel suppliers (like airlines and hotels) with distributors, like travel agencies, via its platform. TWAI is owned by brothers Trideep Aggarwal and Moondeep Aggarwal.
Hanly reportedly broke the news to staff last week.
Travello made headlines in 2022 when it revealed that it had raised $10 million in series B funding after its revenue increased by 7X in the wake of COVID-19.
Whilst initially set up for international visitors coming to Australia, Travello said in 2022 that the bulk of its business was coming from domestic travellers. Its founders reportedly took a pay cut to help survive COVID-19. Cantoni, who was previously a professional rugby player, left the firm in 2023, leaving Hanly as the sole founder. Following the buyout by TWAI, Hanly has become CEO.
Ryan Hanly refused to comment to Travel Weekly on the proposed deal.
