As the old saying goes, “Better to travel ten thousand miles than read ten thousand books.” Over the past few years, and especially since the pandemic, the travel industry has undergone a remarkable transformation. Travelers now demand more than just destinations, they seek personalized experiences, seamless technology, and meaningful connections. From AI-powered booking platforms and immersive virtual itineraries to innovative tools that help travel creators monetize their content, the way we explore the world is evolving faster than ever.
Sustainability, community-driven recommendations, and digital convenience are shaping a new era of travel, where every journey can be both memorable and responsible. With tourism once again emerging as one of the fastest-growing industries globally, these are the top companies redefining how we see, experience, and share the world in 2025.
12. Global Sprouts
Global Sprouts, founded by Whitney Duenas Richardson, is bringing cultural exploration into the home with a monthly subscription box that turns playtime into a passport. Each country-themed kit blends crafts, recipes, stories, and language learning to spark curiosity and empathy, offering families an accessible alternative to travel. Proudly woman- and minority-founded, the company donates one box for every 50 sold to ensure cultural education reaches families and classrooms in need. Global Sprouts is tapping into the rise of values-driven travel by raising the next generation of globally minded kids with no plane ticket required.
11. Albie
ALBIE, short for Advanced Learning Booking Intelligence Engine, is positioning itself as a game-changer in hospitality tech by tackling one of the industry’s biggest friction points: the booking experience. Designed to streamline trip planning, the platform puts guest ease and satisfaction at the center while driving better outcomes for hotels and partners. By replacing clunky, outdated booking systems with a more intuitive and intelligent interface, ALBIE is aiming to make seamless, enjoyable planning the new standard in travel.
10. iWander
The UK-based iWander is bringing AI into the travel planning space with a platform that lets users create their own personalized AI travel agents in under 10 minutes. The startup empowers businesses and individual creators to configure, deploy, and even monetize these agents, turning automated trip planning into a scalable service. By lowering the barrier to entry for AI-powered travel assistance, iWander is positioning itself at the intersection of travel tech and generative AI, tapping into growing demand for smarter, faster, and highly customizable travel solutions.
9. Greether
Greether is a fast-growing, award-winning travel startup empowering women to explore the world safely and authentically by connecting them with verified local female Greeters. Founded by serial entrepreneur Vanessa Karel, the platform spans over 120 countries and 1,200+ cities, creating meaningful jobs while promoting sustainable tourism. Recognized for its innovation and social impact, Greether has earned accolades including Travel Startup of the Year at WTM London, spots on PhocusWire’s Hot 25 Travel Startups, and global recognition from the UNWTO Awake Tourism Challenge. Backed by investors like Andreessen Horowitz, Expedia, and Aleph1, Greether is establishing itself as a leading tech-driven platform for women-centered travel worldwide.
8. GuestOS
Founded by Jessie Fischer, GuestOS is an emerging AI-powered concierge platform that is quickly making waves in hospitality, tourism, and events. Designed as a no-app, multilingual system accessible through a single local phone number, it allows guests to book tours, access hotel services, and receive personalized recommendations without needing internet access. In just five months, the startup has gone from prototype to powering daily operations at hotels, tour operators, and major industry events. With its recent expansion into SMS and website chat, GuestOS is positioning itself as the go-to communication layer for travel brands seeking to enhance guest experiences and streamline operations.
7. Travelai
TravelAI, part of the UpNext portfolio, is positioning itself as a disruptive force in the travel industry by harnessing applied AI to reshape how travelers search, discover, and book their journeys. Unlike traditional booking platforms, TravelAI operates through a network of interconnected brands, creating an ecosystem that intelligently matches high-intent travelers with the right destinations, accommodations, and experiences. At the heart of its platform is a massive catalog of more than 10 million properties worldwide, giving travelers unparalleled access and choice.
6. Sherpa
Sherpa has quietly become the backbone of travel documentation for major airlines worldwide. The Toronto-based company processes over 1,000 travel visa applications daily for travelers through partnerships with global airlines like American Airlines, Air France-KLM, and All Nippon Airways. What started as a pandemic-era solution has evolved into a profitable “trusted agent” platform that automates visa and entry document applications, generating millions of dollars annually for key airline partners through seamless integrations in booking flows and mobile apps.
With government partnerships, SOC 2 compliance, and deep integrations across airline systems, Sherpa is positioning itself as the category leader in travel documentation technology. The company’s 2025 strategy focuses on scaling global operations, expanding into Middle Eastern and Asian markets – proving that sometimes the most successful startups are the ones solving unsexy but essential problems that keep industries moving.
5. Polarsteps
Polarsteps, recognized as one of Europe’s hottest scaleups, is a leading travel app used by over 17 million travelers worldwide to plan, track, and relive their journeys. Headquartered in Amsterdam with a team of 80+ passionate travelers, the platform combines cutting-edge technology and design to create seamless itineraries, map routes in real-time, and offer new ways to share experiences. With trips tracked in all 195 countries and nearly 20 billion kilometers logged in 2024 alone, Polarsteps has become an essential tool for modern explorers.
Looking ahead, Polarsteps is doubling down on its mission to support travelers before, during, and after their trips. The company is investing heavily in enhancing its planning features while continuing to strengthen its tracking and reliving capabilities. Remarkably, Polarsteps has grown organically, with majority of users joining after discovering the app through other travelers. Already profitable and boasting strong year-over-year retention, the scaleup is positioning itself as the go-to travel companion for adventurers across the globe.
4. Wander
Wander is reimagining the vacation rental experience with a network of smart homes that pair inspiring views with hotel-grade amenities, from pristine cleaning to 24/7 concierge support. The company promises consistency in a category often plagued by unpredictability, marketing itself as the platform where “your best trip ever is just a few clicks away.”
Wander closed a $50 million Series B in May 2025, led by QED Investors and Fifth Wall, with participation from Redpoint Ventures, Starwood, Breyer Capital, and others.
3. WingBuddy
Wingbuddy has built its reputation as a leading tour operator by curating exclusive travel packages across Europe, the Americas, Asia, and the Middle East. The Montreal-based company differentiates itself with all-inclusive itineraries that bundle flights, accommodations, activities, and on-the-ground support into a seamless experience for travelers.
From guided cultural explorations in Europe to adventure-focused packages in South America and luxury escapes in the Middle East, Wingbuddy is tapping into the rising demand for hassle-free, curated travel. With its mix of competitive pricing and turnkey planning, the company has become a go-to choice for travelers who want the convenience of a package without sacrificing quality or personalization.
2. Airfairness
Waterloo-based airfairness, founded by John Marzo, Zohair Khan, and David Linardi, is turning flight disruptions into payouts for travellers, using AI to quickly assess eligibility under global passenger rights laws like Canada’s APPR and Europe’s EC261. The platform promises up to $2,000 in compensation per person, charging no fees unless a claim succeeds. Following its acquisition of FlightorFight.ai, Airfairness has rolled out a rapid “Flight Navigator” tool that delivers eligibility decisions in under two minutes.
During the recent Air Canada strike, the platform has become a go-to destination for frustrated travellers seeking clarity and compensation.
1. Stay22
Stay22 is establishing itself as a leader in the travel tech space by helping creators monetize their content while keeping sustainability at the forefront. The Montreal-based startup has seen explosive momentum in 2025, reporting 187% growth, $372 million in gross merchandise value, and 1.3 million bookings in just the past six months.
With travel creators increasingly seeking new revenue streams and audiences demanding more responsible tourism, Stay22’s record-breaking year signals it’s only beginning to tap into a rapidly expanding market.
