TravelPerk makes first acquisition securing deal for risk management specialist Albatross

Global travel management company will offer enhanced COVID-19 travel advice and guidance

Travel management platform TravelPerk has completed a deal to buy start-up Albatross, a software specialist that provides information on travel restrictions and local guidelines.

The acquisition is TravelPerk’s first, the company saying it is part of broader efforts to help travellers and businesses navigate the complex travel environment created by Covid-19.

Albatross’ API technology and data will be incorporated into TravelCare, TravelPerk’s travel risk management offering.

Avi Meir, chief executive and co-founder of TravelPerk, said: “We know from our own data that businesses are starting to think about traveling again.

“But we also know that there is no going back to the simple world that we took for granted before Covid-19.

“The new normal for business travel will be more complex and much more unpredictable, as travel corridors or travel bubbles open up and close down in response to the public health situation in each country, or even in specific regions within countries.”

Meir added: “At TravelPerk, our focus is always on delivering the best possible traveller experience.

“In this new era, that means giving individuals seamless access to the very latest information on travel restrictions and health guidance; not just general information, but the exact things they need to know for the specific journey they are planning.

“This is exactly what the fantastic product built by Albatross makes possible. We were blown away by what Raphael and his team have built and are delighted to have them joining the TravelPerk team as part of our first ever acquisition.”

Founded earlier this year, Albatross has built a developer-centric travel risk management API.

It was claimed it is the only company that can cover point-to-point travel restrictions and has already seen significant traction within the sector.

As well as being integrated into TravelPerk’s platform, Albatross will continue to be offered as a standalone product for travel providers and end-users.

The Albatross team, led by founder Raphael Daverio, will be joining the TravelPerk team to further develop TravelPerk’s risk management capabilities.

Daverio, chief executive and founder of Albatross, said: “At the core, Albatross and TravelPerk share the same fundamental belief that travel applications can still create delightful, safe travel experiences for their users despite the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Joining forces with TravelPerk will help us accelerate our product innovation and growth globally and ultimately gets us closer to our vision of bringing disruptive travel risk management tools to businesses of every size.

“I am truly thrilled to start working with Avi and his fantastic team to build products that will genuinely set new standards in the travel industry.”

Through Albatross’ API, travel providers will be able to display information on travel restrictions in their booking flow.

This includes risk advisory on COVID-19 and related restrictions including whether travel is permitted between locations and any social distancing and face mask regulations that apply plus local emergency numbers.

TravelCare also covers guidance around other potential issues, including strikes, closures and planned protests.

The information is updated in real-time and, unlike traditional travel risk content, it is presented in a digestible, user-friendly format that can be easily understood by travellers.