HolidayMe has secured $16 million in Series C funding from Gobi Partners, Algebra Ventures, Accel Partners and Global Ventures as it looks to widen its travel booking platform and cut costs for users building custom trips.
The Dubai-based online travel agency says its service lets customers combine flights, hotels, activities and transport into one package. Co-founder and chief executive Geet Bhalla said the company has focused on technology and user experience for travel bookings, with a product aimed at the travel needs of 1.8 billion Muslims globally.
HolidayMe said it has grown quickly across the Middle East, reporting a 127% year-on-year increase in gross merchandise value and a 163% year-on-year rise in transactions.
Algebra Ventures managing partner Tarek Assaad said the company has built a leadership position in the Muslim travel online market and has the experience to scale further. He added that the investors were pleased to back the business alongside other global venture firms.
Founded in 2014, HolidayMe offers holiday packages, umrah packages, hotels and flights. The platform says it allows customers to plan and book trips online, with more than 400 curated holiday packages, 400,000 hotels and access to over 200 destinations worldwide.
The company also said its instant bookable Umrah package with visa is designed for the 30 million potential umrah visitors expected by 2030. It is also integrating machine learning systems into its service.
HolidayMe is set to merge with Malaysia-based startup Tripfez to create a platform described as a TripAdvisor for Muslim travellers. Tripfez previously raised US$750,000 in seed funding from Gobi Partners, Malaysia’s Intres Capital and Qunar co-founder Douglas Khoo.
