Springfield company launches travel Web site

Gusto LLC was founded by Jeff Wasson, who also developed Springfield-based TravelNow.com in 1995. TravelNow.com went public in 1999 and was sold to Hotel Reservation Network, now Hotels.com, in 2001 for $47.4 million.

The new site, www.gusto.com, connects travelers with each other and with personalized travel information. The goal: to provide site visitors with travel options organized by the individual’s lifestyle and preferences, through its patent-pending Character Navigation System.

Site users will be able to get travel recommendations from the site’s “Gusto Characters.” Visitors will also be able to specify travel preferences, create lists of their favorite hotels and attractions, and publish opinions and ratings of travel sites for other visitors to read.

“Gusto is a great way for friends and family to share and collaborate on travel adventures,” Wasson said in a press release. “As the Gusto community grows, travelers will benefit from a trusted resource they can rely on when planning travel. Gusto represents the next wave in travel technology, information and customer interaction.”

The site boasts information on more than 500,000 attractions, 250,000 restaurants and 60,000 hotels, in cities around the world.