TripAdvisor acquires New York-based travel mobile app GateGuru

Online travel review and recommendation site TripAdvisor has acquired New York-based GateGuru, a mobile app that provides real-time flight and airport information, for an undisclosed amount. As part of the deal, the GateGuru team will continue to operate from New York City and will now report to Bryan Saltzburg, general manager (new initiatives), leader of the TripAdvisor flights product and now the head of SeatGuru brand (provides seat maps to travellers).

"GateGuru complements our existing flights products and we look forward to working with the GateGuru team as they continue to manage the GateGuru app and add functionality to TripAdvisor's mobile experience," said Steve Kaufer, co-founder and CEO of TripAdvisor.

Launched in December 2009, GateGuru is backed by angel investors like Chamath Palihapitiya, a Silicon Valley-based VC; Allen Morgan, former executive of Mayfield Fund, and Tom Glocer, ex-CEO of Thomson Reuters.

TripAdvisor provides travel reviews and recommendations, and claims to have more than 200 million unique monthly visitors. It features over 100 million reviews and opinions, covering more than 2.5 million accommodations, restaurants and attractions. The site is operational in 30 countries worldwide. Last year, the company also launched 'TripAdvisor Business Listings' for Indian hotel and restaurant owners to provide better exposure to them across all TripAdvisor sites and encourage more direct bookings.

(Edited by Sanghamitra Mandal)