Tours and activities distribution specialist Holibob has received additional funding for its Series A round, the exact amount of which has not been disclosed. The investment comes from Guinness Ventures, a company that typically invests between £1 million and £5 million in Series A funding rounds and also participates in follow-on funding rounds. Holibob, based in London, previously announced Series A funding of $12 million nearly two years ago. The company, recognized as a PhocusWire Hot 25 Startup for 2023, plans to use the additional funds to enhance its technology, specifically its experiences marketing platform, to assist travel brands and destinations in selling experiences online.
Craig Everett, CEO of Holibob, expressed excitement about having Guinness Ventures join the Holibob team and highlighted the support they will provide in developing new ways for destinations and travel brands to sell experiences more effectively. He emphasized the importance of delivering the right product to the right person at the right time. Malcolm King, chief investment officer at Guinness Ventures, will join the Holibob board as part of the investment. He believes that there is a significant opportunity in capturing a larger share of in-destination tours and activities sales online, which the industry has not yet fully realized due to its current fragmentation and offline nature. King is optimistic that Holibob’s combination of technology and industry expertise positions the company well to exploit this opportunity.