utu tackles tax-free shopping with US$33 million deal, acquires fintech startup CardsPal

28-06-23

According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, the travel industry is projected to reach US$9.5 trillion in 2023, representing 95% of the pre-pandemic peak in 2019. Despite this rebound, McKinsey reports that only about 1% of venture funding over the past 15 years has been allocated to the travel sector, primarily in short-term rental hospitality. The tax-free shopping sector, which allows tourists to reclaim the value-added tax (VAT) on their purchases, has especially lagged behind in terms of innovation. The cost of refund processing has hindered the sector’s potential benefits for travelers.