Skyscanner integrates with Travala, enabling hotel bookings in over 100 cryptocurrencies

Blockchain-based platform Travala has integrated its inventory of more than 2.2 million hotels across 230 countries into the global travel marketplace Skyscanner, bookable in over 100 cryptocurrencies, including bitcoin, ether, BNB and its native token, AVA.

Travala is the first crypto-native platform to be integrated into Skyscanner, making it discoverable alongside leading travel agencies such as Expedia, Booking.com and Agoda among the marketplace’s claimed 110 million monthly users who make 80 billion searches daily.

“This collaboration with Travala underscores our commitment to offering diverse, cutting-edge solutions that cater to the evolving needs of travelers. By integrating Skyscanner's market-leading search capabilities with Travala's crypto-native platform, we’re making travel planning more accessible and flexible for the growing number of travelers who prefer alternative payment methods,” Skyscanner Head of Hotels Sanja Vukik said in a statement shared with The Block.

Travala expects to increase traffic from the collaboration while highlighting the benefits of booking travel via digital assets.

“Visibility is a crucial component of mass crypto adoption. By displaying Travala 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 travelers make their very first search,” Travala CEO Juan Otero said.

Travala's crypto journey

Travala aims to offer a decentralized and transparent travel booking experience by integrating blockchain technology into the travel industry, allowing users to book flights, hotels and accommodation using various cryptocurrencies.

Originally built on the Neo blockchain when it launched in 2017, Travala migrated to BNB Chain in 2020 to benefit from the network’s improved scalability, lower fees and greater adoption as part of a broader effort to expand its reach and tap into the larger crypto and decentralized finance ecosystems. Travala’s token, AVA, is available on both BNB Chain and Ethereum. 

Following the integration, Skyscanner users who select a hotel from Travala’s inventory are redirected to Travala to complete the booking and can earn rewards via its AVA Smart Program. This includes incentives such as discounts, up to 10% back in bitcoin and other web3 travel rewards, the firm said.