AirAsia acquires 50% stake in travel planning startup Touristly

SEPANG - AirAsia Berhad is acquiring a 50% stake in online travel planner Touristly Travel Sdn Bhd(Touristly) through an asset injection and loan deal valued at RM11.5 million.

The transaction will see AirAsia Berhad inject the digital platform of its Travel 3Sixty inflight magazine, into Touristly via AirAsia Investments Ltd and extend a RM5 million convertible loan to Touristly for working capital and development.

The digital platform comprises the online brand for the Travel 3Sixty inflight magazine, touchpoints on airasia.com and online advertising assets, which will allow the startup to reach AirAsia's 60 million guests annually.

Touristly will also gain access to offline advertising assets, including the physical version of the inflight magazine, overhead cabins and seat trays on AirAsia aircraft.

In addition, AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes will serve as Chairman of the Board for Touristly upon completion of the acquisition.

The deal will strengthen AirAsia's ancillary portfolio by offering its guests on-ground activities such as restaurants, theme parks, attractions, spas and tours at more than 70 destinations that the airline operates to.

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