Baboo Travel
About the Company
Baboo Travel is a platform designed to simplify and personalize travel planning by connecting travelers directly with local travel experts. The platform's main feature involves matching clients to travel agents based on their preferences and desired experiences. Travelers provide basic information about the type of trip they’re interested in, and Baboo's algorithm selects an in-destination expert to craft a tailored itinerary.
These travel agents have been carefully vetted by Baboo, with over 450 agents from 150 countries currently on board. They provide personalized trip proposals, which can be reviewed, customized, and booked online. Baboo's focus is on making travel easier, more affordable, and tailored to individual customer needs while ensuring that travelers benefit from local insights.
Idea Behind Company
Paul Sarfati’s passion for travel began early, as he frequently traveled with his family and later embarked on a gap year exploring the world. After attending Babson College, he founded Bamba Travel, a youth-focused travel company, growing it to $11M in revenue. However, the pandemic hit the travel industry hard, forcing Sarfati to rethink his business model.
Inspired by a similar company, Evaneos, Sarfati identified a gap in the market for custom trips with fewer intermediaries, where travelers could directly access local expertise. Sarfati realized that travelers post-pandemic would seek more personalized, private, and unique experiences, and so he envisioned Baboo Travel as a solution to meet this demand. Baboo aimed to offer more than just travel planning—it would also focus on sustainability by becoming a B-Corporation, committed to reducing carbon emissions.
Creating the Company
Developing Baboo Travel involved extensive research into competitors, designing a user-friendly platform, and curating a network of local travel experts. Sarfati and his team carefully analyzed 40 travel platforms, prioritizing features that would enhance user experience and streamline communication between travelers and agents. The platform was designed to make it easy for travel agents to upload trips, manage bookings, and communicate with customers.
Building the right team was crucial for Sarfati, as he focused on hiring skilled professionals who shared his passion for travel and sustainability. His previous experience as an entrepreneur taught him the importance of surrounding himself with people who could contribute positively to the business. By focusing on strong internal systems and detailed market research, Baboo Travel’s foundation was solidified before its public launch.
Launching the Business
Baboo Travel’s launch required extensive planning, from securing investment through friends and family to designing an effective marketing strategy. Sarfati spent months presenting his business plan to potential investors, using SAFE Notes to secure funding before seeking formal equity rounds. Baboo’s platform was thoroughly tested, and despite encountering numerous bugs, the team worked in sprints to address issues and improve the user experience.
Marketing campaigns focused on targeted Google Ads, with Sarfati embracing growth hacking principles by testing multiple campaigns with small budgets to determine which were most effective. A travel personality quiz was also introduced to generate leads, nurturing potential customers with personalized trip suggestions. Social media and influencer partnerships further helped increase Baboo’s visibility in the market.
Earnings
Since launching in December 2021, Baboo Travel has experienced rapid growth, with $300,000 in monthly revenue by early 2022. The company has been primarily targeting U.S. travelers due to ongoing COVID restrictions but plans to expand its marketing efforts globally as travel restrictions ease. Baboo's marketing strategies have reduced customer acquisition costs while increasing conversion rates.
Looking forward, Baboo Travel aims to secure a major round of funding by the end of 2022 to further scale its operations. Sarfati remains optimistic about the future, confident that the company’s unique approach to personalized travel, sustainability efforts, and solid market traction will ensure continued success.
