Voja, a travel app that uses artificial intelligence (AI) and with the look and feel of TikTok, has raised half a million euros from various investors. Voja was founded by Camille Richardson (founder of OneFit) and Guy Rombaut (former CTO of Bitvavo, an online platform for trading digital currencies). The travel app provides users with a personalized booking process by using AI technology. Users can scroll through short videos of accommodations, similar to the experience on TikTok. The app compares prices from different booking platforms and shows up-to-date reviews to help users make the best choice. “The investment will be used to add transport options and attractions to the travel app in addition to accommodations,” says founder Richardson. The app is now live with about 2.7 million accommodations in 185 countries. With AI, the app personalizes recommendations for places to stay per user. “Booking an accommodation is time-consuming and can be stressful. For example, people spend an average of more than 20 hours planning a trip,” says Richardson. “With the built-in AI technology, we facilitate this process considerably. For example, users can enter prompts such as: ‘I am looking for an active holiday in a warm country and I like to stay by the sea’. In addition, we can use AI to advise accommodations and destinations based on previous holiday photos that users make available.’ For all stays, the app compares the prices of different booking platforms and shows current reviews. The founders want to use the investment to add transport options by the end of this year to make it possible to book a rental car or transfer. Immediately afterwards, sights and activities per destination are added in the app. Development of the new AI travel platform, reminiscent of the social media platform TikTok, began eight months ago. Based on AI and algorithms, the platform shows accommodations through short videos that users can scroll through. ‘Young people are used to taking in information via social media platforms. For example, TikTok is used more often by the young generation than as a search engine than Google and a lot of travel inspiration is gained. The app is therefore mainly aimed at the younger target group: Gen Z.’
Ten investors A total of ten investors are behind the capital injection.
The investors with a background in tourism are Marielle van Gorp (former regional director Booking.com), Paul Hermanides (owner of Hotel Arena), Haim Jacobowitz (former CFO of Expedia) and Dirk Anbeek (chairman of the Supervisory Board of Roompot and Landal).
Other investors include Daniel Gebler (the CTO of Picnic), Peter Rijswijk & Patrick van Etten (the founders of CardsUnlimited), Thijs Verheul (the founder of United Wardrobe, acquired by Vinted), Damian Winkelman (owner VWG Group) and investor Atomico Angels Network. Photo: Guy Rombaut and Camille Richardson.
