Travala and Trivago team up for crypto-powered travel
New partnership allows travelers to book millions of hotels using Bitcoin and 100 plus cryptocurrencies
Booking a hotel with Bitcoin is no longer a niche option—it’s becoming mainstream.
The travel industry has been quietly embracing cryptocurrency for years, and now, one of its biggest names is making a move that could push adoption even further. A 2023 report by Traders of Crypto found that travel firms—including booking platforms, hotels, and airlines—are among the most active crypto adopters, accounting for 11.54% of the companies covered in the study.
Some major players have already taken steps. Last year, Virgin Voyages became the first cruise line to accept Bitcoin payments for its $120,000 Annual Pass program. Airlines like airBaltic and CheapAir have also enabled crypto payments, signaling digital assets' growing role in travel.
However, Travala, a web3 booking service, has positioned itself at the center of this movement. Since its launch in 2017, the platform has expanded to cover more than 2.2 million properties across 230 countries and has partnered with over 600 airlines.
Travala is also backed by Binance, the world’s largest crypto exchange.
We invested in this crypto travel platform pre-COVID, pre-crypto winter, and held on. BUILD! https://t.co/q40IZ4xfM3
— CZ 🔶 BNB (@cz_binance) December 12, 2024
In 2024, Travala processed 78% of its bookings in crypto, reaching a record $100 million in annual revenue. It also introduced a BTC and AVA (Travala’s native token) Treasury Reserve strategy, further embedding itself in the crypto economy.
🔥 BREAKING: #Travala hits $100M annual revenue milestone expanding #crypto adoption in travel and announces $AVA & $BTC Treasury Reserve strategy.
— Travala.com 🏨 ✈️ (@travalacom) December 11, 2024
Let’s keep building 💪 https://t.co/LG39JGoR6A
Now, Travala is making another leap forward. It has partnered with Trivago, one of the world’s leading metasearch engines for accommodations, to expand crypto payments to millions of travelers.
Trivago, a Nasdaq-listed firm, operates in over 190 countries and features more than five million hotels in its search engine. Through this partnership, its three million monthly users can now book accommodations via Travala’s inventory and pay with BTC, ETH, or over 100 other cryptocurrencies.
Beyond just payments, Travala’s AVA Smart Program also offers crypto rewards. Users who book with digital assets can earn BTC and AVA, setting it apart from traditional travel platforms.
Juan Otero, the CEO and co-founder of Travala, shared on X, “Travala continues to bridge the gap between crypto and mainstream with giants like Trivago, Skysanner, and Kayak. Paving the way to onboard the next billion users to crypto.”
Travala continues to bridge the gap between crypto and mainstream with giants like Trivago, Skyscanner, and Kayak. Paving the way to onboard the next billion users to crypto. 💪 https://t.co/c72YeMbT1j
— Juan Otero (@joterovila) February 4, 2025
Timo Itterbeck, account management head of APAC-LATAM-Spain at Trivago, emphasized the value of expanding payment options:
“By integrating Travala, we're expanding the choice for our customers while also broadening their ability to book with emerging payment options like cryptocurrencies.”
This isn’t Travala’s first major integration. The platform has previously collaborated with Skyscanner and KAYAK, boosting its visibility alongside industry giants like Booking.com and Expedia.
Commenting on their partnership with Skyscanner, Otero noted, “By displaying Travala.com on one of the world's most popular travel marketplaces in Skyscanner, we're demonstrating the utility of crypto and showcasing it as an available option from the moment travellers make their very first search.”
Despite Travala’s success, crypto travel is not without challenges. While digital assets offer an alternative payment method, adoption remains limited compared to traditional options. Volatility, regulatory concerns, and consumer hesitation still pose obstacles. But Otero remains optimistic:
“Our integration with Trivago is another key step in bringing crypto adoption to the masses,” Otero told The Block. “There are hundreds of billions of daily searches performed across travel metasearch engines, and adding Travel to Trivago isn't just beneficial for us - it helps amplify and further legitimize the entire crypto ecosystem by expanding the prevalence of crypto transactions for real-world services.”
From booking flights and hotels to earning crypto rewards, the travel industry is embracing digital assets like never before. As crypto adoption continues to grow, more innovations are bound to surface. Crypto travelers can expect even greater flexibility, security, and perks as they explore the world.
