September 18th 2023.
Black Americans remain significantly underrepresented in the travel and tourism industry. Despite the increasing demand for services, data shows that only 7.2% of U.S. travel agents are Black or African American, and 62% of travel advisers work as independent contractors with limited resources.
Pioneering tech visionaries Darrien Watson and Stevon Judd are working to bridge the diversity gap by creating a bespoke SaaS platform for group trip organizers and travelers. Their business, SquadTrip, is deeply committed to empowering 50,000 Black travel professionals in the coming years.
Watson, CEO and co-founder of SquadTrip, explained that one of the biggest challenges for travel organizers is managing time and cost, especially for smaller agencies that can't afford the tools and resources of larger ones. SquadTrip's all-inclusive platform simplifies the process by providing professional-grade tools to help create trip landing pages, automated billing schedules, and back-office operations.
The startup has already secured an impressive $1.5 million in investment from entities like TechStars, Forum Ventures, and Atento Capital. With this funding, co-founders Watson and Judd have generated $7 million in travel sales and facilitated 6,000 bookings.
SquadTrip's automated payment solution caters to professional group trip organizers, travel agents, and travel brands, but it also suits leisure travelers who organize trips for family and friends. Users can access the platform for free, paying a 6% fee per booking.
Stephanie Kilson-Thomas, a SquadTrip customer and owner of KT Travel & More, noted that the software allows her to efficiently manage destination wedding groups. She added that the platform helps professionals work more efficiently and recover untapped revenue.
With the recent investment funds, the company plans to expand its business, onboard new talent, and enhance its product offerings. This includes a new affiliate feature that rewards travellers with cash when their referrals participate in trips.
In the current year, SquadTrip has relocated from New York to the Black-owned tech ecosystem in Tulsa's Greenwood District, also known as Black Wall Street. With this move, the company hopes to further its mission to foster meaningful connections through travel experiences.
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