El Camino Travel
Small Group Travel to Colombia and Cuba.
| Date | Investors | Amount | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
* | $1.1m | Seed | |
| Total Funding | 000k | ||
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El Camino Travel operates as a specialized travel company and membership community targeting women travelers. The firm was founded in 2014 by Katalina Mayorga, whose background in international development and social innovation informed the company's direction. The idea was sparked by a conversation with a taxi driver in Guatemala, which highlighted tourism's potential for positive economic impact in local communities. Mayorga, a Colombian American, leveraged her personal travel experiences and professional work in countries like Brazil, Peru, and Haiti to build a company focused on immersive, culturally-rich experiences.
The company's business model has evolved from initially being a traditional small-group tour operator to a multi-faceted travel brand. A significant pivot occurred to focus specifically on the needs of women travelers, emphasizing safety and unique experiences. Revenue is generated primarily through two streams: small group trips and an annual membership program. The group trips, with an average order value of approximately $3,400, explore destinations such as Morocco, Guatemala, Egypt, and Colombia. For trip payments, the company offers financing options through a partnership with Affirm.
The second revenue stream is the "El Camino Clubhouse," an annual membership costing $99. This subscription provides members with access to a digital platform containing a curated library of over 40,000 travel recommendations, more than 80 in-depth destination guides, and a private community forum moderated by travel experts. Membership benefits also include a $250 discount on all group trips and priority access to newly launched destinations. This digital offering was created to meet the demand from their community for travel advice and to provide a trusted alternative to platforms like TripAdvisor.
In February 2023, El Camino Travel announced it had raised $1.1 million in a pre-seed funding round. The round was led by Slauson & Co. and included participation from Trip Ventures and several angel investors, such as the former VP of experiences at Airbnb. This capital is intended to further develop the company's technology platform and increase brand awareness within the tours and experiences sector.
Keywords: women travel, group travel, solo female travel, travel membership, cultural immersion, experiential travel, boutique tours, travel community, Latin America travel, adventure travel, travel technology, guided tours for women, sustainable tourism, travel subscription, Katalina Mayorga, destination management, travel planning, off-the-beaten-path travel, travel marketplace, immersive experiences