Travela

Travela operates as a digital marketplace focused on the short-term accommodation rental sector, primarily within Bangladesh. The company, a product of Expert Travel & Tourism Limited, was incorporated in Dhaka in 2020 and officially launched its mobile application for both iOS and Android platforms in June 2021. The platform's creation was spearheaded by founder Mir Ishtiaque, a filmmaker whose personal experiences as an Airbnb host and traveler across Bangladesh highlighted the challenges within the country's lodging industry. This direct insight into the market's needs for more accessible and reliable accommodation options inspired the development of Travela as a localized solution.

Travela's business model is centered on a peer-to-peer framework, connecting property owners, or "Hosts," with individuals seeking lodging, referred to as "Guests" or "Members". The platform enables hosts to list unused rooms, apartments, or entire properties for short-term stays, thereby creating an additional income stream. Revenue for the company is generated through service fees; for instance, in the event of a cancellation by a guest, Travela retains 15% of the cancellation charge as a service fee. The company secured a pre-seed investment round on June 2, 2022, from angel investor Mohammad Maaz, which valued the company at approximately Tk5 crore ($55.2K).

The platform functions as an online marketplace where users can search for and book various types of accommodations, including rooms, apartments, hotels, resorts, and private villas. Listings provide detailed descriptions, photos, and host profiles to help guests make informed decisions. The service is designed to offer an alternative to traditional hotels, often providing more space and amenities like a kitchen, at a competitive price point. Initially launched with operations in six cities, including Dhaka and Chittagong, Travela aims for nationwide expansion. By June 2022, the platform had amassed over 15,000 registered users and listed around 500 properties, having facilitated more than 1,800 bookings. However, the company faced a cybersecurity incident in June 2024, when a data breach exposed the personal information of 226 hosts on a dark web forum.

Keywords: accommodation sharing, short-term rentals, Bangladesh travel, peer-to-peer lodging, vacation rentals, Dhaka startup, travel technology, homestay booking, online travel marketplace, local tourism, property listing platform, Expert Travel & Tourism Ltd., Mir Ishtiaque, travel app, apartment sharing, rental platform, hospitality service, book local stays, Bangladesh tourism, real estate tech