Smart Destinations takes $10M for online tourist passes
Smart Destinations, a Boston company that sells discounted admission passes to tourist attractions across the country, just landed $7 million in third-round funding and $3 million in debt financing to diversify its offerings. Right now, it hawks unlimited passes usable in 15 cities. For example, its “Go San Francisco Card” grants access to Alcatraz, the AT&T Park Tour, the Exploratorium and 50 other landmarks and events at a 35 percent markdown. The site offers cards good for anywhere between one and seven days, with prices ranging from $50 to $124, respectively.
In addition to Go Cards, it also sells Explorer Passes to 10 locales offering even bigger bargains. The 2-day Explorer Pass to California Wine Country, for instance, costs $45 for unlimited access to some of the region’s best wineries and can be used any time in the 30 days following purchase. All told, Smart Destinations’ passes provide access to 425 different museums, tours and shows.
The round came from NewSpring Capital, North Hill Ventures and Zon Capital — and the debt from Square 1 Bank. North Hill and Zon financed the company’s first two rounds, totaling $6 million.
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About the Author, Camille Ricketts
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