Friday 13 May 2022

US-based outdoor stays provider Hipcamp has acquired London-based Tripadee Ltd., the company said.

With the move comes the full integration of Tripadee's popular Cool Camping brand into the Hipcamp platform.

Travelers from around the world can now find and book hundreds of thousands of unique camping, glamping, and RV stays across the UK and France, as well as Canada, Australia, and the United States via the Hipcamp website and the company's Android and iOS apps.

The acquisition comes as both companies experience record growth: Hipcamp, backed by Jay-Z, has seen a 460% increase in bookings since 2019, while the number of stays booked via Cool Camping increased 340% during the same period.

Hipcamp is working to deliver the simplest way to find and book outdoor stays and experiences, all in one platform. Cool Camping has curated a range of sites across the UK and France.

Together, the companies will make it easier for international travelers to book outdoor stays at home and abroad, and for UK hosts to access Hipcamp's global community of outdoor enthusiasts.
Knight will serve as UK country manager for Hipcamp.

Hipcamp Hosts in the UK will receive all the protection and benefits that the Hipcamp platform offers.

They will be eligible for Hipcamp's Liability Insurance Policy, which protects Hosts for up to GBP 1m. Bookings through the site bring economic opportunity to rural communities, and help UK farmers, ranchers, vintners, and other landowners create new revenue streams to conserve their land and keep it wild.

Hipcamp will also expand its photography program to the UK. The program uses the work of local photographers to capture images of the wide range of stays available via Hipcamp.

As pandemic-related international travel restrictions lift, Hipcamp expects significant demand to continue for outdoor stays in the UK and across its other markets.

Jonathan Knight will continue to head up Hipcamp's UK operations and will serve on the UK Board along with Hipcamp Founder and CEO Alyssa Ravasio.

Founded in 2013, Hipcamp is the world's largest provider of outdoor stays. The fully remote company operates in Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, and to date has helped people spend more than 6m nights under the stars.

Tripadee Ltd was established in 2006 by Jonathan Knight. Originally a publishing company that produced Cool Camping guidebooks, Tripadee eventually pivoted to a travel tech focus, and launched the Cool Camping booking website in 2015.

Cool Camping is known for championing small, independent and unique places to get outdoors. The brand offered both camping and glamping accommodation. The 20 Tripadee employees in the UK will be joining 100+ existing international Hipcamp employees.