Newton, Mass.-based travel and hotel bookings company TripAdvisor announced Thursday it has entered into an agreement to acquire San Francisco's Viator, a website catered toward helping travelers research and book activities at destinations around the world, for $200 million.
Viator employs more than 250 people, who will continue to work at the company's headquarters in San Francisco, as well as offices in Las Vegas, London and Sydney. The website boasts more than 20,000 bookable tours and attractions — a variety TripAdvisor President and CEO Stephen Kaufer commended in a statement:
Viator will be a great addition to the TripAdvisor family, as online and mobile bookings for attractions and activities represents a huge opportunity for our business. Travelers want to explore local attractions while on their trip, and Viator's depth and breadth in global attractions combined with their seamless booking experience will provide immediate benefit to our community, whether in the planning phase or on the trip.
The acquisition is expected to close by the end of September and is the travel giant's fourth this year. In May, TripAdvisor purchased London-based Tripbod, Parisian startup lafourchette and local travel review and booking site Vacation Home Rentals.
Bookable in 10 languages and 10 currencies, Viator works with local operators to provide travelers with access to tours and activities. The company also works with more than 3,000 affiliate partners, including some of the globe's top airlines, hotels and travel agencies.
"We share a vision for providing the resources travelers need to plan and have the perfect trip," said Viator's CEO and President Barrie Seidenberg in a statement, "and this deal would enable Viator to help more travelers experience the best activities their destination has to offer."
