Travly: The New Social-First Travel Platform Revolutionizing Hotel Bookings

Travly is an innovative discovery and hotel booking platform that’s transforming how travelers plan their trips. Designed with today’s digital-savvy adventurers in mind, Travly taps into the growing trend of using short-form video content for travel inspiration.

Unlike traditional booking sites, Travly features user-generated content that offers genuine reviews and experiences of hotels. This approach ensures travelers get authentic insights rather than generic descriptions or outdated images. Creators who contribute videos of hotels can even earn a 5% commission on bookings made through their content.

The platform was co-founded by travel enthusiasts Zak Longo (CEO) and Mayur Patil (COO). What started as a travel community on Instagram and TikTok has blossomed into a robust network that includes millions of followers across various channels like @Cruises, @Hotels, @Resorts, and @Vacation. Together, these channels reach over a billion views every month. Travly also boasts an ambassador group of around 1,000 creators who collaborate on brand deals across the platform’s extensive social media presence.

In its latest evolution, Travly has expanded into a full-fledged trip discovery and booking platform, leveraging its social media insights to create a video-centric mobile app. The platform is powered by an integration with Booking.com, giving users access to millions of hotels worldwide.

Longo explained the motivation behind Travly's evolution: “We realized that today’s travelers are using social media as a key tool for trip planning. So, we decided to create a booking platform that bridges the gap between what people see on social media and the actual booking experience.”

Travly is actively encouraging video submissions, offering a 5% commission on bookings for creators who provide high-quality videos of hotels. However, only one video is accepted per hotel, and Travly may replace videos that don’t perform well or if a hotel offers new amenities it wants to showcase.

The platform currently boasts around 2,000 sign-ups and 500 video submissions. One of Travly’s unique features is its “Destination Dupes,” which compares luxurious travel spots with more affordable alternatives that offer a similar vibe. This feature helps travelers discover hidden gems and save money. For example, Travly might compare a pricey hotel in London with a charming yet more affordable option in Krakow, Poland.

For those unsure of their next destination, Travly offers a “Discover new directions” feature, where users can answer a series of questions to receive personalized travel suggestions. Whether someone is looking for a lazy, budget-friendly getaway or a more adventurous trip, Travly’s AI assistant provides tailored recommendations.

Looking ahead, Travly plans to expand its offerings to include trip packages, restaurant reservations, and concert tickets, aiming to provide a comprehensive travel planning experience. The platform is also exploring additional revenue streams, such as incorporating ads.

As the creator economy continues to grow, estimated to reach $480 billion by 2027, Travly is well-positioned to capitalize on the trend of travel influencers shaping the booking landscape. Similar to other emerging platforms like Plannin, Travly is at the forefront of enabling creators to monetize their travel recommendations, making it a game-changer in the world of travel booking.