An online business dedicated to ‘the discerning traveller’ has received backing from Saints Capital in exchange for a 40% stake in the business.
Founded in 1999, Travel Intelligence (TI) provides hotel and destination reviews alongside booking services for first class destinations across the world.
It has over 120 top travel writers featured on its site including The Sunday Times critic AA Gill who has written about his time in Cuba amongst other reviews.
Managing director Marin Muyser, who joined the company in 2004, says that the company is now enjoying great success through online advertising and lucrative licensing deals with other websites.
Companies which use its technology to power their websites include mrandmrssmith.com, Times Online and HipHotels.com.
London-based TI, currently comprised of 35 staff with offices in Kiev and the Philippines, is now recruiting additional personnel, as well as investing in its technology, acquisitions are also on the horizon.
“This investment will enable us to add significant features and capabilities to our customers as well as to consolidate luxury/boutique travel product,” says Muyser.
“We will continue to provide luxury/boutique travel suppliers with a viable alternative distribution network and deliver the most outstanding experience a luxury travel lover can have on the web.”
Saints Capital has added its own Ken Sawyer to the company’s board as well as former Sidestep.com chief executive Brian Barth and Niko VonHuetz from Add Partners to the company’s board.
Saints does not wish to disclose the exact amount of funding which it has provided the company with.
Travel Intelligence was advised by Julie Meyer of Ariadne Capital after its financial director Mike Lockwood met her at a networking event.
© Crimson Business Ltd. 2007
