Hostelworld has acquired U.S.-based event-discovery company OccasionGenius in a deal valued at $12 million, marking a major step in the travel group’s expansion beyond accommodation booking. The acquisition strengthens Hostelworld’s push to evolve into a broader “social travel” platform, connecting users not just to where they stay, but to what they can experience while traveling.
Based in Richmond, Virginia, OccasionGenius provides technology that curates and distributes real-time event data, from concerts and festivals to local experiences, across global destinations. By integrating this technology, Hostelworld will offer users access to curated activities directly within its platform, enriching the trip-planning process and increasing engagement among younger, experience-focused travellers.
The deal will be financed through a €10.3 million term loan, with Hostelworld maintaining its existing financial outlook for the year. While initially expected to be earnings-neutral, the acquisition is projected to add long-term value as the company leverages new revenue opportunities and data capabilities.
For Hostelworld, the move aligns with its mission to position itself as more than a booking site. The company plans to use OccasionGenius’s event database to build stronger connections between travellers and destinations, offering personalised recommendations and promoting longer stays. The integration will also enhance Hostelworld’s growing community-driven ecosystem, where users can find hostels, connect with fellow travellers, and discover what’s happening nearby – all in one platform.
Industry analysts see the acquisition as a strategic response to changing travel behaviours, with modern travellers prioritising authentic, local experiences. By incorporating events and social discovery into its core services, Hostelworld aims to stand out in an increasingly competitive travel-tech market.
The acquisition of OccasionGenius marks a natural evolution for Hostelworld as it continues to redefine the social travel experience – bringing accommodation, community, and local culture together under one digital roof.
