SideStep has completed its acquisition of TripUp, a unique community and social networking site dedicated to travel.
The deal couples TripUp’s popular community and social network with SideStep’s dynamic, real-time access to the most comprehensive online travel information available. TripUp offers travellers the opportunity to link up with Trip Gurus for candid advice, meet up with fellow travellers, and hook up with locals and Trip Buddies.
Building upon TripUp’s popular user-generated travel blogs, photos, videos, maps, and reviews, the company recently became the first online travel community to offer globetrotters an opportunity to express themselves through customisable profiles. The integration of TripUp’s social and community features into SideStep.co.uk will create an even more powerful online travel experience for TripUp devotees and SideStep’s 6 million+ monthly visitors.
“The sheer number of people using community and social networks demonstrates that these sites are becoming a more important part of today’s digital lifestyle,” said Rob Solomon, president and CEO, SideStep. “This acquisition allows SideStep to quickly introduce millions of travellers to TripUp’s innovative features and furthers our goal of redefining the way people find and use relevant travel information.”
Consumers in the UK are embracing social networking sites. More than one-third of UK consumers take part in social networking sites, double the European average according to a recent study from Forrester Research.
“TripUp revolutionises social networking for travel and proves that online travel communities don’t need to be static or boring,” said Sam Rogoway, CEO, TripUp. “By joining the SideStep family and collaborating on new innovations, we’re poised to introduce our exciting community and social network to millions of travellers.”
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