Airbnb acquires Spanish tours start-up Trip4Real
Airbnb has acquired Barcelona-based travel start-up Trip4real, as the accommodation giant expands its growth into the travel industry. Although no figures were released surrounding the deal, insiders claimed Airbnb paid between €5 and €10m. Trip4real had previously advised and partnered with Airbnb, and in a statement, the company said Trip4real "shares our vision of a different kind of travel experience that is local and authentic."

Airbnb's mantra that everyone should somehow "travel like a local" has seen it snap up Spanish activities provider Trip4Real.

Terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

Co-founder and CEO, Gloria Molins, who is currently on maternity leave, confirmed the acquisition via email and says further details about the deal will be shared in the coming months.

Trip4Real (TLabs here) first appeared on the scene in mid-2013 with a platform to connect travellers with locals who are willing to provide their own, personal tour or activity in a destination.

Products range from tours of a local market to a cycling expedition around a city.

The founders initially invested $40,000 in the business, with an additional $75,000 funding received from the Spanish government.

A further $1.35 million came in via Caixa Capital Risc and Kibo Ventures in June 2014 and then another €1.4 million from Emprendetur and Enisa in the summer of 2015.

Trip4Real already had a deal with Airbnb to push its local-run activities to guests of the accommodation giant's hosts.

An Airbnb official says: