Cardiff-based Lovetovisit, a travel platform which helps users book local attractions and events, has secured £3.2M (approximately €3.78M) in VC funding to support its growth.
The round was led by Venrex and Redrice Ventures, with additional participation from Active Partners, Velocity Partners, and various angel investors.
Andrew Sutcliffe, Partner at Redrice Ventures, says, “In a post-pandemic era, consumers want to connect with others through in-person experiences and in many cases are seeking these close to home. Until now, there have been few ways for consumers to easily find such experiences.”
“Lovetovisit’s industry experience has enabled them to build a platform with an exceptional depth of supplier inventory and we are excited to support them on their journey to become the next-gen platform for things-to-do.”
Tom Profumo, Partner at Active Partners, adds, “The company’s impressive growth to date attests to Fed, Georgia and Alice’s expertise in the attractions market and their deep understanding of their customers. We’re excited to collaborate with them to bring their unique offering to many more families across the UK and beyond.”
A new digital platform for tourism & culture
Founded in 2021 by twin sisters Georgia and Alice Aubrey and tourism expert Fed Pereira, Lovetovisit helps UK families find and book local activities.
The platform, designed for locals, domestic tourists, and international visitors, offers over 2,700 products and has generated £7.4M in revenue.
Currently, the company serves a community of over 3.2 million users through its proprietary API, allowing real-time ticket purchases at the lowest prices. Tickets are delivered via text and email, eliminating the need for vouchers.
The mobile-optimised platform uses AI for personalised recommendations and interactive maps to help users discover nearby events and activities.
CEO Fed Pereira says, “We’re in the business of helping people find fun and memorable ways to spend time with family and friends. Even when incomes are stretched, people still prioritise and treasure those moments.”
“The excitement that planning a day out brings, that flutter in the belly, is like nothing else. And that’s what Lovetovisit is all about: a simple, fun, and user-friendly way of booking memorable activities big and small, with the reassurance you’re getting the best price possible.”
“Our tech offers a seamless experience to enable locals and tourists across the UK to do just that.”
Capital utilisation
The funds will support Lovetovisit’s efforts to scale operations in the UK and drive international expansion. The team aims to double growth and inventory annually for the next three years. Funds will also enhance the platform’s AI capabilities to improve user experience.
CEO Pereira says, “Having such well-respected investors on board as we double down on our mission to scale domestic tourism in the UK and internationally is a wonderful endorsement of what we’ve built to date and will provide the fuel needed to realise our ambitions over the coming years.”
How was Lovetovisit born?
The Lovetovisit founding trio, who previously worked together at Pereira’s tourism marketing agency, were motivated to create the platform after finding it challenging for consumers to book local activities.
Unlike the streamlined tech solutions available for ordering takeaways or booking accommodations, the local experience market lacked similar innovations. Lovetovisit addresses this gap by offering a single platform for discovering and booking tailored experiences at the best prices.
Lovetovisit features 80 per cent of its experiences, events, and attractions as “unique” to the platform. Its partners include Alton Towers, Chester Zoo, and ZipWorld, along with popular family destinations such as Pennywell Farm, Techniquest Science Museum, and various local music and food festivals.
The company is driving increased footfall to local attractions across the UK, with 85 per cent of its attractions located outside of London. Since the beginning of 2024, Lovetovisit has attracted over 25,000 visitors to Devon’s attractions.
Recently, the company was named Wales Tourism StartUp of the Year and will compete in the UK finals in September.