This travel search company has just been acquired by Twizoo

Travel search company, Skyscanner has bought the London-based user-generated content business, Twizoo.

The six-strong Twizoo team - founded by Madeline Parra and John Talbott - have been incorporated into Skyscanner’s existing team of over 900, now based from the travel search site’s London office at Tottenham Court Road.

As part of Skyscanner’s aim to make travel search simple, Skyscanner will make use of Twizoo’s social content integrations to bolster hotel reviews and recommendations.

Bryan Dove, chief technology officer, said: “Skyscanner aims to serve all traveller needs, from inspiration through to planning and booking.

“Twizoo’s technology surfaces customer opinions from social media, providing real value to traveller decision making. We’re delighted to have the highly talented Twizoo team join us.”

The news comes as Skyscanner continues to expand in London, having recently moved to a larger 24,000 sq ft office at 1 Bedford Avenue, Tottenham Court Road.

Skyscanner’s team now accounts for over 120 employees. The company is currently recruiting for roles across nine global offices, including 18 in London.

Madeline Parra, CEO and co-founder of Twizoo, added: “Skyscanner is built by travellers, for travellers. Their emphasis on authenticity and transparency reflect Twizoo’s own values.

“Travel is inherently social and we’re excited to work with the Skyscanner team to integrate our technology into their world-class travel search products, giving travellers invaluable insight through user generated content shared on social media.”

Madeline continued: “As our first investor, the Jenson SEIS and EIS Fund gave us the opportunity to prove our proposition to the market and helped to get us on our journey which has now culminated into this acquisition by Skyscanner.”