13 Startups Raise $266M Since Covid

Think start-up activity in tours and activities would slow to a crawl in 2020? Think again.

Reading Time: 1 minute 58 seconds

by | 12 November 2020

Updated: 3 December 2020

Tours, activities, and attractions had been a hotbed of startup activity and investment over the past decade. Nearly 50 companies had raised some $2 billion over the past five years alone. 

You might assume startup activity and investing would come to a halt amid the dramatic downturn in travel. But that’s not quite the case. Some intrepid investors and entrepreneurs see an opportunity during the toughest of times. 

Here are 13 startups we’ve tracked in tours, activities, and attractions that have raised capital since Covid hit worldwide in March, with links to each media source. 

13 Tours & Activities Startups with Funding Since April 2020

CompanyTypes of BusinessCountryAmount Raised
(with link to source)
GetYourGuideOTAGermany$133M
KKDayOTATaiwan$75M
MyRealTripOTAKorea$36M
Fun GroupOTAJapan$12M
bookingkitReservation SystemGermany$5.9M
TourplusOTAMalaysia$1M
LocalbiniLocal Experiences OTASwitzerland$600K
FindMyAdventureOTAPakistan$600K
TripAdmitB2B OTAIreland$588K
easyGuideOTAUnited Kingdom$500k
QuestoSelf-guided Touring AppRomania$300K
HomefansFootball OTA SpecialistUnited Kingdom$270K
HolibobB2B OTAUnited KingdomUndisclosed*
*Holibob has raised $1.2 million, but has not disclosed the split before and after April 2020.

Do you see a startup we missed? Email us at [email protected].
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Tags: GetYourGuide, Featured, bookingkit, Questo, MyRealTrip, KKDay, Fun Group, TripAdmit, Holibob, Tourplus, Homefans, FindMyAdventure, Localbini

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Who they are, what they want, and why they’re so important to operators and sellers of tours, activities & attractions. By: Anne Failing, Douglas Quinby & Janelle Visser

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WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ARIVAL | ACTIVATE EDINBURGH AND ARIVAL 360 | VALENCIA AND WHICH SHOULD I ATTEND?

Since 2019, Arival has hosted one major event in Europe each year. For 2024-2025, we’re thrilled to offer two exciting events: Arival 360 | Valencia and Arival | Activate Edinburgh. Here’s a quick comparison to help you decide which event to attend—or why you might want to come to both:

Arival 360 | Valencia (28-30 April 2025)
  • Scope: Flagship European Event with a global reach; up to 30% of attendees from outside Europe, including the U.S., Middle East, LATAM, and APAC.
  • Audience: Experience creators, tech and distribution companies, and industry professionals from around the world.
  • Arival Theater Content: Global topics including: over-tourism and sustainability, technology, distribution, European consumer and operator trends.
  • Breakout Sessions: In-depth workshops on operational best practices, product expansion, AI, channel management, marketing tech, a Spain-specific track and an Innovation Showcase highlighting the most tech-savvy companies in our industry.
  • Networking: Connect with leading OTAs and distribution companies, and build valuable partnerships.
  • Location: Valencia, a stunning coastal city offering rich cultural experiences.
  • Attendees: Approximately 800, providing extensive networking opportunities.
Arival | Activate Edinburgh (23-25 November 2024)
  • Scope: Regional focus on the UK, Ireland, and the Nordic regions.
  • Audience: Operators and industry professionals from the region.
  • Content: Gain insights on regional topics like technology, distribution strategies, and hear from top regional tourism leaders.
  • Breakout Sessions: Experience hands-on learning at Edinburgh’s top attractions and tours, with sessions on visitor experience, digital journeys and innovative tour development. In-depth sessions for companies at the beginning of their digital journey and more advanced sessions for people and companies looking to elevate their experience.
  • Networking: With a more intimate setting. you’ll have more time to build deeper connections and create more meaningful interactions with your current and future partners including distributors, tech companies, DMOs and more.
  • Location: Edinburgh, known for its stunning architecture and historic charm
  • Attendees: Approximately 400, fostering an intimate peer-to-peer learning and networking environment.
Key Differences:
  • Global vs. Regional Focus: Valencia is a global event with an international audience, while Edinburgh is a regional event focused on the UK, Ireland, and Nordic regions.
  • Event Size: Valencia hosts about 800 attendees, providing broad networking opportunities, whereas Edinburgh’s 400 attendees create a more intimate, focused environment.
  • Content and Sessions: Valencia features global themes and advanced topics, whereas Edinburgh provides region-specific insights and hands-on experiential learning.
  • Location Experience: Valencia providing a coastal escape and Edinburgh offering historic and iconic attractions.
  • Who Will Be There: The most valuable part of Arival Events is the connections you make and the partnerships you build to grow your business. At Arival | Activate Edinburgh, you’ll engage with key industry players in the UK, Ireland, and Nordic regions. If your business focus is on these areas, Edinburgh is where you need to be. For those targeting broader European or global markets, Arival 360 | Valencia offers the ideal platform to network with international leaders and innovators. 
Why attend both?

With limited opportunities for business development, learning, and networking in our industry, attending both events is a strategic move. By participating in both Edinburgh and Valencia, you maximize your exposure to diverse markets and influential contacts. 

However, if budget constraints or a specific regional focus dictate your decisions, choose the event that best aligns with your primary business goals. Join us in Edinburgh for regional insights or Valencia for global perspectives—or better yet, attend both to fully leverage the potential of Arival’s expansive network.

For service providers such as a restech or ticketing platform, distribution company, or other services including marketing, AI tools, etc., attending both gives you access to attendees from both markets to connect with your current customers and to meet new ones!

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