Dtravel

Dtravel is positioning itself as a decentralized alternative in the vacation rental market, structuring its operations as a peer-to-peer ecosystem. The company was launched in June 2021, backed by a $5 million seed funding round from several venture capital firms. The venture was initiated by Travala.com, an online travel agency that utilizes blockchain technology.

The company operates as a Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO), where governance and ownership are distributed among its community members—hosts, guests, and holders of its native TRVL token. This structure allows community members to vote on decisions that guide the network's direction. Dtravel's CEO is Cynthia Huang, who previously co-founded the crypto trading simulation game Altcoin Fantasy and the Airbnb host community, Airhosts Forum. The core team includes individuals with experience from companies like Airbnb, Expedia, and Booking.com.

Dtravel's business model aims to reduce the fees typically associated with online travel agencies. While traditional platforms can charge up to 20%, Dtravel's booking fees are significantly lower. Revenue generated from bookings is directed into a Community Treasury. The platform supports payments in both traditional fiat currencies and various cryptocurrencies, including its native TRVL token. Using the TRVL token for payments can unlock discounts.

The company's product suite is built upon the Nite Protocol, a decentralized data layer designed for the vacation rental industry that tokenizes bookings as Real World Assets (RWAs) on the blockchain. This protocol provides an open-source database for anyone to access and build upon. For property operators, Dtravel offers tools to create direct booking websites, manage listings with smart contracts, and sync with existing property management systems. This allows operators greater control over their business, data, and guest relationships. For travelers, Dtravel provides a metasearch engine and an AI-powered search function to discover and book properties directly from owners, bypassing intermediary platforms. This direct connection facilitates peer-to-peer communication and aims to lower costs.

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