In a significant development for cryptocurrency adoption in the travel industry, leading hotel search platform Trivago has partnered with crypto travel website Travala to offer Bitcoin and Ethereum payment options for millions of hotels worldwide. The collaboration connects Travala’s inventory of over 2.2 million crypto-friendly accommodations with Trivago’s massive user base, potentially exposing cryptocurrency bookings to a whole new segment of mainstream travelers.
Bridging the Gap Between Crypto and Travel
Founded in 2017, Singapore-based Travala has emerged as a pioneer in crypto tourism, allowing users to book flights, hotels, and travel experiences using dozens of different digital assets. By integrating its platform with Trivago’s hotel search engine, Travala aims to make the crypto booking process seamless for the average user.
This partnership with Trivago aligns perfectly with our mission to bring crypto adoption into the mainstream and make booking travel with digital currencies as easy as using a credit card.
– Juan Otero, CEO of Travala
When Trivago users select a Travala-affiliated property, they will be redirected to Travala’s website to complete their booking using their choice of cryptocurrency, including:
- Bitcoin (BTC)
- Ethereum (ETH)
- AVA, Travala’s native token
- Over 70 other altcoins and stablecoins
Reward Program Incentivizes Crypto Payments
As an added perk, Travala users have the option to earn rewards in Bitcoin or the platform’s AVA token on all bookings. The company reports that the AVA token has seen significant growth, reaching a three-year high of over $3 in December despite an overall bearish crypto market. However, the token has since retraced by more than 50% year-to-date.
Expanding Crypto Partnerships in Travel
The tie-up with Trivago comes on the heels of similar crypto integrations Travala has established with other major online travel agencies (OTAs) over the past year:
| Partner | Integration Date | Scope |
| Skyscanner | September 2021 | Flights, hotels |
| Kayak | November 2023 | Flights |
| Trivago | February 2025 | Hotels |
These strategic alliances are gradually expanding the real-world utility of cryptocurrencies in the travel space, with crypto payments now being accepted for flights and accommodations across a growing number of mainstream booking platforms.
Acquisition Interest from Industry Giants
Backed by the world’s largest crypto exchange Binance, Travala’s traction in the industry has reportedly attracted buyout interest from potential suitors. The company confirmed it has engaged in M&A discussions following an initial takeover approach in late 2024.
While Kayak parent company Booking.com passed on an acquisition after initial due diligence, Travala says it remains in talks with other interested parties. Any deal would likely command a significant premium given the company’s positioning as a dominant force in the burgeoning crypto travel vertical.
The Road Ahead for Crypto Tourism
As more travelers worldwide embrace the advantages of paying with cryptocurrencies – including increased privacy, lower fees, and independence from regional banking issues – platforms like Travala that provide a bridge between digital assets and traditional travel services are poised to benefit from the growing momentum.
Just like e-commerce in the early dot com days, travel is one of those make-or-break use cases for the mass market viability of cryptocurrencies as an alternative payment system. We strongly believe partnerships like this with Trivago will become increasingly common as crypto achieves critical adoption velocity.
– Travala CEO Otero
While it remains to be seen how quickly cryptocurrency payments will catch on with the average traveler, Travala’s string of recent partnerships and acquisition interest suggest the travel sector could be the next major frontier for digital assets. As the crypto industry eagerly awaits the next chapter in Travala’s growth story, initiatives like the Trivago integration offer an exciting glimpse into a future where planning a trip with Bitcoin could be as routine as booking an Airbnb.
