Series B27 September 2023

TravelLocal secures £8.3m in Series B funding from Puma Private Equity to accelerate international growth.

The funding round was led by Puma Private Equity with participation from Active Partners and Gresham House Ventures to expand international operations.

£8.3MSeries B

TravelLocal operates a global online platform that connects holidaymakers directly with vetted local travel experts to arrange bespoke itineraries. The business combines flexible online booking with full consumer financial protection and a focus on sustainable tourism.

TravelLocal has secured £8.3m in Series B funding led by Puma Private Equity, with ongoing participation from existing backers Active Partners and Gresham House Ventures. The fresh capital will be deployed to drive international expansion, scale its managed marketplace platform, and support targeted brand marketing campaigns.

The business has scaled rapidly following the 2021 merger of its UK and German operations, driven by rising consumer demand for authentic and responsible travel experiences. With annual bookings already exceeding $50m, the platform links clients directly with over 500 local travel specialists across hundreds of destinations worldwide.

From the founder

"TravelLocal has performed very strongly again coming out of the pandemic as people travel extensively – and increasingly with a strong desire to do so in a more sustainable, meaningful way, that supports local people and economies. Our unique business model enables everyone to do just that. This funding round reflects the excellent growth opportunity we now have, and the first class team we have built to tackle it."

Tom Stapleton

CEO at TravelLocal

Investor perspective

"Although incomes are being squeezed in the current environment, travel continues to be a priority expenditure for many and baby boomers are spending $120 billion annually on leisure travel. We believe there is huge scope for TravelLocal to grow and continue transforming the tailor-made holiday industry."

Mark Lyons

Investment Director, Puma Private Equity