Travels startups have managed to attract around $1.3 billion in investment since 2006, with funding levels doubling in 2010 over the previous year.
Research from PhoCusWright found that total funding aimed at travel startups dropped to $118 million in 2009 but soared to $246 million in 2010.
It would also appear that the investment market is starting to show very clear signs of buoyancy in 2011, with the total amount of funding so far this year already surpassing that of 2009.
Inevitably, given the location of many of the investment houses and profile of Silicon Valley in the tech startup world, 65% of the 200 companies featured in the study (out of an initial list of 700 travel-related websites and services) are based in North America, with Europe capturing 31%, Asia-Pacific with 3% and Africa just 1%.
The study examined the levels of funding based on company type (hotel, air, itinerary, inspiration) and area of expertise (booking, content and mobile), with data showing an interesting disconnect between volume and value of individual investments and where the higher levels have been placed.
Number of startups and associated funding by industry sector 2006-Q1 2011 (excludes HomeAway funding):
Number of startups and associated funding by "area of innovation" 2006-Q1 2011 (excludes HomeAway funding):
NB:Full report available from PhoCusWright.