Tern, a leading US-based travel advisor platform, has announced the successful completion of a $13 million Series A funding round. This significant financial injection will fuel the company’s ambitious plans for growth and innovation in the travel technology sector. The funding round was led by Viewpoint Ventures and Haystack VC, with additional participation from Upfront Ventures. This strategic investment underscores Tern’s commitment to enhancing its platform and expanding its reach within the global travel industry.
Background on Tern
Tern has rapidly established itself as a pivotal player in the travel advisor space, leveraging cutting-edge technology to streamline and enhance the travel planning process. The platform has already garnered significant attention for its innovative approach, serving over 5,000 travel advisors and 1,000 travel agencies. Tern’s mission is to empower travel professionals with advanced tools and resources, enabling them to deliver exceptional experiences to their clients.
Funding and Future Plans
The $13 million Series A funding will be instrumental in accelerating Tern’s development and expansion plans. A significant portion of the funds will be allocated to enhancing the platform’s AI capabilities, which are central to Tern’s vision of revolutionizing the travel advisor experience. By investing in AI, Tern aims to provide more personalized and efficient travel planning solutions, ultimately improving client satisfaction and advisor productivity.
In addition to AI development, Tern plans to optimize its payment system, ensuring a seamless and secure transaction process for both advisors and clients. This will involve integrating advanced payment technologies and enhancing the overall user experience on the platform.
Another key area of focus will be the enhancement of tools for businesses and affiliated agencies. Tern is committed to providing robust support to its partners, enabling them to operate more efficiently and effectively in a competitive market. This includes the development of new features and functionalities that address the unique challenges faced by travel advisors.
New Features and Innovations
Tern’s commitment to innovation is evident in the suite of new features recently launched. These include.
One-Click Invoicing: This feature simplifies the invoicing process, allowing advisors to generate and send invoices with a single click. This not only saves time but also reduces the potential for errors, ensuring a smoother financial process for both advisors and clients.
AI Destination Guides: Leveraging the power of AI, Tern’s destination guides provide personalized recommendations and insights tailored to individual client preferences. This feature enhances the travel planning experience by offering detailed information on popular destinations, including local attractions, dining options, and cultural highlights.
Itinerary Overview Views: Tern’s new itinerary overview feature provides a comprehensive and visually appealing summary of travel plans. Advisors can easily present detailed itineraries to their clients, highlighting key activities and travel logistics. This feature ensures that clients have a clear understanding of their travel plans, reducing the need for back-and-forth communication.
Form Optimizations: Tern has also focused on optimizing its form functionalities, making it easier for advisors to collect and manage client information. Enhanced form features ensure that all necessary details are captured accurately and efficiently, streamlining the entire travel planning process.
Addressing the “Hidden Work” Challenge
One of the primary challenges faced by travel advisors is the “hidden work” involved in managing client inquiries, planning itineraries, and handling administrative tasks. Tern’s new features are specifically designed to address these challenges, providing advisors with the tools they need to manage their workload more effectively. By automating repetitive tasks and offering intuitive planning tools, Tern aims to reduce the time and effort required to deliver high-quality travel experiences.
Market Position and Competitive Edge
In an increasingly competitive travel market, Tern’s innovative approach sets it apart from traditional travel planning platforms. By focusing on AI-driven solutions and user-friendly tools, Tern is well-positioned to meet the evolving needs of modern travel advisors. The company’s commitment to continuous improvement and innovation ensures that it remains at the forefront of the travel technology sector.
