In the wake of the pandemic’s impact on the tourism sector, Viaxlab, a Uruguayan startup, emerged in 2021 with a technological solution to manage and optimize group travel for travel agencies. Despite the challenges, Viaxlab’s venture has borne fruit, witnessing considerable growth across the continent. This year, the number of client agencies in Latin America tripled to 55. The platform has managed over 70,000 users and is now initiating its expansion into Europe after securing agreements with a couple of companies.
The move into Europe, starting with Spain and soon spreading to Portugal and Italy, is a strategic one. Justin Graside, CEO of Viaxlab, highlighted the strength of the student tourism market in Spain as a launchpad for broader European growth. The company’s first European client, Unitrips, focuses on a young and university-aged demographic, perfectly aligning with Viaxlab’s primary focus on youth travel. The company’s plans do not stop there, with advanced negotiations underway with several more agencies and the CEO relocating to Italy to oversee the expansion closely.
Viaxlab’s unique platform centralizes management for various travel stakeholders – guides, passengers, families, and providers – simplifying the complex logistics of group travel. The technology supports operations with multiple groups simultaneously or individually, using tools like QR code scanning for passenger traceability and a store feature for purchases ranging from excursions to merchandise.
With clients across ten Latin American countries, Viaxlab has demonstrated significant growth, concluding the year with a 20% increase in revenue compared to 2022. The upcoming year looks promising as the company plans to open an investment round to partner with major players in the industry, further driving its expansion and consolidating its position as a pioneering group travel management platform.