Hodler's guide to travel: Which platforms accept cryptocurrency?

Is it possible to vacation using cryptocurrency? The digital era has revolutionized the way we bank, shop and socialize. Why not use crypto to book your next holiday?

The global economy is becoming increasingly digital, and it’s no surprise that cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology are starting to have an impact on the travel industry. Many travel agencies now accept Bitcoin (BTC) and other digital currencies as payment, with some even providing discounts to customers who pay in cryptocurrency. Here is a list of popular travel booking platforms that take BTC, as well as embrace blockchain technology.

1INCH Network to bring crypto payments to the travel industry

The decentralized exchange aggregator 1inch Network on Thursday announced a partnership with the travel booking platform Travala.com, which will allow users to pay for their hotel bookings with cryptocurrency. Users of Travala.com can now use their favorite cryptocurrency to purchase millions of goods thanks to this collaboration. This decision is expected to boost crypto adoption and foster innovation in the travel industry.

The integration with Travala.com will allow 1INCH token holders to book over 2.2 million hotels and residences, 600+ airlines, and 400K+ activities in 230 countries. This is a huge step forward for the 1INCH Network, which will now be able to offer its services to a wider range of users.

Travala.com is a supporter of cryptocurrency adoption, taking payment in over 50 different cryptocurrencies, including BTC, Ether (ETH), Tether (USDT), Shiba Inu (SHIB), and now 1inch.

TravelX raises $10 million to build a blockchain-based travel distribution protocol

TravelX, a new firm, recently received $10 million in seed financing to create a blockchain-based distribution network for travel. Juan Pablo Lafosse, the former CEO and creator of Almundo, launched the Miami-based business last year.He believes that blockchain technology will provide businesses with additional distribution alternatives as well as help them to deal with stock more effectively in a variety of situations.

Alternative Airlines partners accept cryptocurrency payments

As reported by Cointelegraph, Alternative Airlines, a travel company based in the United Kingdom, partnered with cryptocurrency service Utrust to facilitate payments with crypto.

Alternative Airlines became the first merchant in the travel business to partner with Utrust on Nov. 13, when it announced a new relationship with the Swiss-based digital payments processor. Customers can book flights using cryptocurrencies like BTC, ETH, Dash (DASH), DigiByte (DGB), and Utrust’s native currency, UTK.

Destinia

On its web and mobile applications, Destinia, a well-known hotel and flight booking service founded in 2001 by Ian Webber and Amuda Goueli, provides discounts to BTC users.

The company, based in Spain, has been an early adopter of cryptocurrency payments. In 2014, Destinia.com became the first online travel agency in the Middle East to accept BTC payments. With Bitcoin integration, the business swiftly became one of the most popular payment options offered by the firm, with transaction volumes mirroring that of PayPal.

Bonus: The Bitcoin Beach

On the outskirts of El Salvador’s capital, about an hour from the city is a hamlet called El Zonte. Warm water and a fantastic point break draw surfers from all around the globe, but you may easily identify a different sort of traveler on El Zonte’s twisting dirt streets.

The village of El Zonte allows residents and visitors to use BTC to pay for anything, from utilities to tacos, thanks to a local business’s innovation. The Bitcoin Beach initiative, according to Cointelegraph’s Joe Hall, preceded the adoption of BTC as legal tender in El Salvador, first announced by President Nayib Buekele during the Bitcoin 2021 conference and later enacted in September 2021.