Travel guide and tour booking site TheCultureTrip.com has been acquired by US News & World Report.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but a statement said TheCultureTrip.com is the latest site to join US News' travel franchise, which already includes “ratings, trips and tips to empower travelers with information to help them decide where they want to go.” Choose how to get there, where to stay and things to do.
Culture Trip has had an interesting journey since its founding in 2011. It announced $80 million in funding in 2018, with some wondering if travel content publishers were trying to reinvent the wheel with the launch of online booking services.
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The funding was allocated to launch an online travel agency, which was unveiled in mid-2019. Culture Trip later developed its e-commerce strategy with the addition of multi-day tours in mid-2021.
Finally, in the middle of last year, the company announced that it was exploring opportunities to sell or bring in new investors.
“As we continue to find ways to help people make informed decisions, Culture Trip is a natural extension of our US News Travel business,” said Eric Gertler, CEO and CEO of US News. “Consumers want information they can trust and resources they can rely on when planning a trip.” “This acquisition now empowers millions of travelers by providing them with the tools they need to find the best value and experience.”
The website has been acquired from the holding company Culture Trip Travel UK, and Anna Jakimovska, CEO of the holding company, said: “Culture Trip’s mission is to connect people through expert-reviewed destinations globally and is considered one of the most 'insider' resources for travelers who… They decide where they want to have the best experience. Additionally, the ability to experience travel recommendations via our insider-led small group trips makes Culture Trip a one-stop travel platform. We are thrilled with the expertise and resources that US News provides to help us achieve this mission.
Jakimovska led a management buyout of the company before announcing it was exploring a potential sale.
According to the statement, more than 50 million travelers visit travel.USNews.com annually. The company also offers services including GoToSea and travel guides around the world.
