According to Cointelegraph, the crypto-focused travel platform Travala has integrated with the global Skyscanner marketplace, marking Skyscanner’s first implementation with a crypto-native application. This partnership highlights Skyscanner’s commitment to offering diverse payment methods to meet the growing needs of travelers. Sanja Vukik, the head of hotels at Skyscanner, stated that integrating Skyscanner's search capabilities with Travala's crypto-native platform makes travel planning more accessible and flexible for travelers who prefer alternative payment methods.
Travala will now be accessible to Skyscanner’s over 110 million monthly users, potentially providing significant mainstream exposure to cryptocurrency and blockchain-based applications. Justin Hyun, the director of investments at TON Foundation, emphasized that simple apps with actual usability, like Telegram Mini Apps, could be a 'Trojan Horse' for mass adoption. Juan Otero, the CEO of Travala, noted that the Skyscanner partnership could significantly boost mainstream Web3 adoption by showcasing the utility of crypto. He mentioned that travel marketplaces like Skyscanner are often the starting point for travelers during the discoverability phase, and having Travala featured on such a platform will encourage curiosity that guides web2 users into the world of Web3.
Skyscanner averages over 80 billion daily searches, which could lead to an influx of new users discovering Travala’s crypto-driven travel platform. Travala aims to revolutionize travel for crypto holders by enabling travel bookings directly through cryptocurrency payments. Unlike other travel platforms such as Booking and Expedia, Travala offers users the option to pay with over 100 different cryptocurrencies. Additionally, Travala provides travelers with cryptocurrency rewards instead of traditional loyalty points. Otero highlighted that Travala's key point of differentiation is its wider range of payment options for travelers globally and its integrated crypto-based loyalty program that offers crypto rewards.
Founded in 2017, Travala is a cryptocurrency-based travel booking platform that provides access to over 2.2 million properties in 230 countries, along with booking services for more than 600 international airlines.