Africa-based travel technology company Tripesa has launched Roamio, an artificial intelligence-powered travel marketplace aimed at reshaping how trips are planned and distributed across the continent. Unlike traditional online travel agencies, Roamio focuses on traveler intent rather than inventory, using conversational AI to guide trip planning and connect users with vetted local providers.
Roamio is Tripesa’s first standalone product and operates as a separate entity following the company’s shift to an in-house venture studio model. Founded in 2021, Tripesa initially built digital infrastructure for tourism businesses before identifying demand access as a larger structural challenge. Roamio was developed to convert travel inspiration into high-intent leads for local operators.
The platform allows travellers to explore destinations, refine itineraries, and define preferences through AI-driven conversations. These interactions are translated into structured travel requests routed to relevant tour operators, guides, and transport providers. For service providers, Roamio removes the need to manage inventory or pricing systems and avoids commission-heavy distribution models.
Tripesa says the approach is designed to improve margins for small and mid-sized operators while offering travelers more personalized experiences. While Roamio is currently focused on Africa, the model reflects broader trends toward AI-driven personalisation and direct connections in travel technology.
