Travel search engine SideStep has acquired TripUp, a social net aimed at tourists. The deal brings TripUp’s community, whose members share advice and opportunities to meet up with other globetrotters, together with SideStep’s access to online travel information. TripUp will integrate those services, along with its user-generated travel blogs, photos, videos, maps and reviews, within SideStep, which claims over 6 million monthly visitors. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The acquisition follows a number of moves by SideStep to raise its profile and service offerings, especially in the social network area. In May, the company launched a travel application with Facebook. The month before that, it allied itself with TravelChannel.com’s broadband site. The stepped-up efforts were supported by a $15 million third round financing in February, which was led by Norwest Venture Partners, along with Trident Capital, Leader Ventures and Saints Capital; that brings the company’s total funding to more than $30 million. SideStep bought another travel-focused social net, TravelPost.com, last October. Release

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