Cardiff-based female-led travel platform Lovetovisit, which helps people find and book local attractions, experiences and events, has raised £3.2 million in funding. The round was led by London-based investors Venrex and Redrice Ventures. It was joined by Active Partners, Velocity Partners and Angels.
Funds utilisation
This investment will be used to scale operations in the UK and further the platform’s expansion. The team is aiming to double growth and inventory year-on-year for the next three years. The funding will also be used to enhance the platform’s AI capabilities to further optimise the user experience, and to scale operations internationally.
Lilac Watt, Investment Associate, Venrex Investment Management, commented: “We are excited to join Lovetovisit’s journey as new shareholders. Venrex looks to back compelling founders who meet the needs of modern consumers in innovative and tech-forward ways. We have been impressed by the team’s knowledge around the culture and tourism market from day one and we look forward to watching as they build their business at scale.”
What challenge does it tackle?
Founded in 2021 by twin sisters Georgia and Alice Aubrey alongside tourism and culture expert Fed Pereira, Lovetovisit makes it easy for the 19.4 million families in the UK to discover and book things to do nearby.
The founding trio, who previously worked together at Pereira’s tourism marketing agency, were inspired to launch the platform after noticing how difficult it was for consumers to find and book local things to do. This frustration did not exist for consumers ordering takeaways or booking accommodation, as these industries had already been disrupted by tech solutions. The company solves this problem by making it easier to find and book experiences tailored to consumers’ preferences and at the best price, in a single platform.
What does the company do?
From theatre trips and city attractions, to quirky family days out, local events and festivals, Lovetovisit has been designed to cater to locals, domestic tourists, and international visitors alike.
Lovetovisit’s proprietary API lets users buy tickets in real-time at the guaranteed lowest price. Instead of redeeming tickets via a separate retailer or voucher, tickets are sent instantly to users via text and email. The mobile-optimised platform uses AI to send personalised recommendations to users to help them discover their next trip and offers interactive maps to help them find out what’s going on nearby.
80% of the experiences, events and attractions offered by Lovetovisit are unique to the platform. 85% of Lovetovisit’s attractions are outside of London, with days out in Devon attracting more than 25,000 visitors via Lovetovisit since the start of 2024.
Existing partners of the platform include big names like Alton Towers, Chester Zoo and ZipWorld and family favourites such as Pennywell Farm, Techniquest Science Museum in Cardiff and local music and food festivals.
Alice Aubrey, co-founder at Lovetovisit raised: “Lovetovisit has gone from strength to strength this year and we’re incredibly proud to have such esteemed investors on board. Building the business and hitting these milestones alongside my sister is a dream. We each bring unique strengths to the team, but we share a passion for supporting the many amazing events, attractions and experiences in the UK to digitise and scale. There are so many weird, wonderful and iconic things to do in this country, we just need to make it easier for people to find, explore and book them. Our goal is to be the go-to platform for booking memorable things to do and this raise is a big step towards achieving that mission.”
What do we think about Lovetovisit?
The company is set to revolutionise the tourism industry by making local attractions, experiences, and events easily accessible through its user-friendly platform. By catering to locals, domestic tourists, and international visitors, it fills a significant gap in the market.
The platform’s unique offerings and real-time booking capabilities enhance the user experience. With strong industry partnerships and a focus on personalised, Lovetovisit is well-positioned to become a leading destination for discovering and booking memorable activities.
