Startup Trends: Travel applications likely to benefit from holiday travel surge

The upcoming Thanksgiving travel period in the U.S. is expected to set a record this week. The American Automobile Association (AAA) estimates nearly 80 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home. That’s 1.7 million more travelers than 2023, and nearly 2 million more than 2019. This surge creates a meaningful growth opportunity for travel-tech startups and hospitality innovators.
Below are highlights of five private travel-tech companies—each with distinct models and traction—well-positioned to benefit from seasonal spikes in travel demand.
Away — Direct-to-Consumer Lifestyle Brand
New York–based Away is a travel and lifestyle brand known for durable, stylish luggage and accessories made from premium materials and designed to meet airline standards.
This year, Away partnered with Amazon, expanding distribution and enabling faster delivery. The company also launched a children's line featuring kid-size carry-ons, backpacks and lunchboxes.
Founded: 2015
Latest share price: $11.80 (Series D, May 2019)
Valuation: $1.41B
Notable investors: Wellington Management, Global Founders Capital, Comcast Ventures, Battery Ventures
Kasa Living — Tech-Powered Short-Term Accommodations
San Francisco–based Kasa Living converts multifamily units and boutique hotels into professionally managed, tech-enabled short-term rentals. Kasa currently manages 85 properties across 40 U.S. states, operating as a two-sided marketplace connecting property owners with travelers.
Its AI-enabled platform automates revenue management, guest services, housekeeping workflows, and trust & safety operations. In August, the company raised a $40 million round led by Silver Lake Waterman to further scale its AI systems.
Founded: 2016
Latest share price: $6.60 (Series C, Oct 2023)
Valuation: $284M
Investors: FirstMark Capital, Citi Ventures, Ribbit Capital, BoxGroup
Fora Travel — Digital Travel Advisory Platform
New York–based Fora Travel blends technology with human travel advisors to help customers design personalized trips. The company emphasizes curated travel planning built around each traveler’s preferences.
In October, Fora announced “Fora Groups,” expanding into group travel—already a lucrative segment that has generated over $80 million in revenue from corporate retreats, conferences, and incentive travel. Fora also introduced a hotel price-drop alert feature this year, notifying advisors when refundable bookings decrease in price.
Founded: 2021
Latest share price: $16.65 (April 2025 round)
Valuation: $441M
Investors: Thrive Capital, Insight Partners, Forerunner Ventures, Heartcore Capital
Breeze Airways — Low-Cost Airline Carrier
Based in Utah, Breeze Airways is a next-generation low-cost airline founded by JetBlue creator David Neeleman. Breeze focuses on underserved routes, offering point-to-point nonstop service at lower fares.
This year, Breeze received its FAA U.S. flag carrier certification, confirming full compliance with federal safety and operational standards. Fast Company recently named Breeze one of its 2025 Most Innovative Companies, citing enhancements to the low-cost flying experience. Breeze now serves 300+ destinations across the U.S., Mexico, and the Caribbean.
Founded: 2017
Latest share price: $540.11 (Aug 2021 round)
Valuation: $1.19B
Investors: BlackRock, Knighthead Capital, Aries Capital Partners, Peterson Partners
GetYourGuide — Global Travel Experiences Marketplace
Berlin-based GetYourGuide operates a global booking platform for tours, attractions and local experiences. This year the company announced it had reached profitability, with $1.2B in revenue for 2025 to date.
This fall, GetYourGuide launched a new suite of AI-enabled tools for its partners, helping them manage operations and marketing more efficiently. As of launch, 60% of its partner base had already adopted the new tools.
Founded: 2019
Funding: $194M (2023 round)
Valuation: $2B
Investors: Blue Pool Capital, KKR, Temasek