Travala, an online travel agency that uses blockchain
technology and has an NFT-based
rewards system, is now accessing airline content directly through the NDC
standard.
A PhocusWire
Hot25 Startup of 2022, Travala says that by connecting directly to airlines’
reservation systems, rather than through a global distribution system, it can offer
its customers more competitive pricing.
“We’re big believers of decentralization, and
having access to direct airline content means we’re less reliant on GDSs that
function as intermediaries between travel agencies and airlines,” says Juan
Otero, CEO of Travala.
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“As Travala.com evolved from a hotel-centric
online travel agency to one with a range of popular offerings, we not only
added new verticals, but continually sought to improve them by embracing new
technologies that innovate, decentralize and increase efficiency in the travel
sector to ultimately provide better value to our customers.”
Founded in 2017, Travala offers booking on more than 600
airlines globally, as well as more than two million properties and 400,000
activities in 230 countries.
The system accepts traditional payment methods and more than
80 forms of cryptocurrencies. Travala is backed by cryptocurrency exchange
Binance.
In June
2021, Travala announced the creation of Dtravel, initially a blockchain-based
marketplace for short-term rentals that earlier this year shifted to become a direct
booking channel for rentals. Dtravel just announced an integration with
channel manager Uplisting, which joins Hostaway as a platform partner.