fbpx
  • The Project
  • Advertise
  • Flights
  • Hotels
  • Tours
  • Donate
  • E-Store
Thursday, January 28, 2021
No Result
View All Result
Nomad Africa Magazine | Celebrating the world's richest continent
Advertisement
SUBSCRIBE
  • Home
  • Tourism News
  • Features
  • Top Destinations
  • Culture & Existence
  • Showcase
  • Spotlight
  • Watch
  • COVID19 Updates
  • Login
  • Home
  • Tourism News
  • Features
  • Top Destinations
  • Culture & Existence
  • Showcase
  • Spotlight
  • Watch
  • COVID19 Updates
  • Login
No Result
View All Result
Nomad Africa Magazine | Celebrating the world's richest continent
No Result
View All Result

Online travel on the rise in Africa

Miriro Matema by Miriro Matema
May 2, 2018
in Special Feature
Reading Time: 4min read
0
Online travel on the rise in Africa
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

The advent of the internet has brought much more convenience to the traveller. Now, as Africa’s economies burgeon, with an estimated 300 million middle class, the continent is the next massive market for the travel booking industry. The boom in online travel booking business is paving the way for smooth movement of people between multitudes of travel destinations from Cape Town to Cairo.

Most of the big online travel players are from South Africa, owing to the wealthy nature of the country though other countries throughout the continent have similar businesses that specialize in online travel.

For ease of space we shall focus on three major online travel booking companies, namely FlightSite, Flight Centre and Travelstart (not in any order).

FlightSite says on its website that it began seven years ago with the merger of two operators Venues4Africa led by Rian Bornman and Club Travel’s Wally Gaynor. Since then the company has grown in leaps and bounds providing a much needed service to countless customers.

According to the site the company “provides an innovative travel portal for South Africans to make local and worldwide travel arrangements. We constantly strive to improve our customers’ experiences by using cutting edge travel technologies. We offer our customers the best value for money and the widest choice of flights, car and accommodation available locally and abroad.”

It goes on to state that Flight Site’s “vision is to become South Africa’s first truly Online Travel Agency. Wally and Rian share a passion for travel and wanted to bring South Africans an easier way of making travel arrangements. With broad band becoming a reality in many South African households, the convenience of booking flights, car hire and accommodation in one portal was the next step in travel. Fully IATA licensed, FlightSite.co.za has experienced call centre agents who know travel and are able to assist.

“Because of our close ties with Club Travel, we have access to bulk buying power. This enables us to negotiate competitive airfares and preferential rates with airlines and other suppliers, such as hotels, car hire and cruise companies, tour operators, travel insurance and foreign exchange providers – worldwide.

“Club Travel, a Level One Contributor, is owned by Thebe Tourism Group, the first black empowerment group formed in South Africa.

“Since 2009 FlightSite has acquired many ‘white labels’, including, but not limited to Pick n Pay Travel, MySchool Travel, Sho’t Left Tourism and most recently Mweb Travel. These labels continue to grow as companies realize that their travel needs will be professionally managed by us”.

Another player that is established in the online travel booking industry is Flight Centre.This company is regarded as South Africa’s “leading travel retailer”, offering cheap flights (domestic and international), holiday packages, cruises, ski holidays, last minute hotel deals, travel insurance and much more.

Then there is Travelstart, which offers flights, hotel bookings, car rental, vacation packages and other travel services through their online booking engine.“We search and compare flight prices across all airlines so you don’t have do it yourself! Book cheap flights with Travelstart South Africa!” says its online information.

Since February 2016 Travelstart has had a pan-African footprint in countries such as Botswana, Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, to name a few.

While one can imagine its humble roots in Sweden where it was founded by current CEO Stephan Ekbergh, Travelstart has now become the go to company in travel booking across the African continent. One can only praise its vast expansion into a large continent with boundless potential.

Stephan had made a bold move back in 2010 when he sold his Swedish entity, and decided to head down to Africa, to set up the company’s head office in the “Mother City” of Cape Town.

It seems he knew the business scope that was to be leveraged in the vast and expanse of the African continent. Today he must be looking back with a wide smile, as his idea has given the continent a truly pan-African operation that continues to grow in leaps and bounds.

Africa’s rising middle class are the source of its encouraging online bookings, and Stephan made the right choice to be based in the continent of the future.

Although the African continent is reportedly new business territories for Travelstart, the sense to set up shop here can only be lauded. It is reported that the company has from the early days of its operations in 2006, gone on to become a flourishing and robust business offering services in partnership with like-minded world renowned players.

The growth of Africa’s population, running into a billion according to estimates should keep the likes of Travelstart, FlightSite and Flight Centre happily on their toes, this as the cake that is the continent continues to expand for the operators.

As these companies increase in size continentally, regionally and nationally – not in any order – there are many positive spin offs to their presence – that of job creation for a continent badly in need of stability and economic freedom.

Also, the presence of these companies point to the fact online travel will never be the same again. The sector can only grow exponentially, with things such as those new applications that are popping up daily for the convenience of either making a cherished booking or choosing a holiday destination in the comfort of one’s home or even pocket.

Indeed the online travel booking industry is on the rise in Africa, and with the bravery, drive and tenacity shown by the above companies and more, there is no limit to what they can do to ensure a smooth holiday for those seeking the thrill or frill of Africa – whether one is a student traveller, business traveller or a safari connoisseur.

This article was written by MARTIN CHEMHERE.

Previous Post

One Africa, One Visa

Next Post

INDABA 2017: Ministers Meet on Advancing Small Business Development in Tourism

Miriro Matema

Miriro Matema

Born in Zimbabwe and living in South Africa, Miriro is a seasoned publishing editor and writer, having worked with leading brands in investment, business leadership and entrepreneurship. Passionate about Africa’s development, Miriro is also a dynamic marketing consultant with 10 years experience working with startups and large multinational corporations. With a heart for travel, Miriro spends her time discovering the nooks of crannies of Africa’s hidden gems, taking the roads less travelled, meeting the beautiful people and enjoying their food and culture. She enjoys tackling complex strategic challenges in the passion-to-entrepreneurship pipeline, particularly focused on the implications of 4th Industrial Revolution and workforce automation on Africa's travel and tourism industry.

Related Posts

Corporate Travel: Growing demand for technology?
Special Feature

Corporate Travel: Growing demand for technology?

January 26, 2021
Coronavirus in Africa: Reversing 30 years of Wildlife Conservation Gains?
For Subscribers

Coronavirus in Africa: Reversing 30 years of Wildlife Conservation Gains?

January 24, 2021
Space Tourism: The Next Big Move?
For Subscribers

Space Tourism: The Next Big Move?

January 24, 2021
Next Post
INDABA 2017: Ministers Meet on Advancing Small Business Development in Tourism

INDABA 2017: Ministers Meet on Advancing Small Business Development in Tourism

Please login to join discussion
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
GallivantPlus GallivantPlus GallivantPlus
ADVERTISEMENT

Follow Nomad Africa Mag on Twitter

Tweets by @NomadAfricaMag

Recent Posts

  • Global pharma firm appoints South African MD to lead sub-Saharan Africa operations
  • Unique and more essential than ever
  • Anthony Nti’s Award Winning Film DA YIE shares a story of two children who are taken on a dangerous road trip
  • As Sub-Saharan crises force more to flee, UNHCR calls for stronger Mediterranean route response
  • Global tourism & leisure industry private equity deals total $4.61bn in Q3 2020
  • 2Engage helping to grow local taverns into mainstream businesses
  • B-BBEE must be used to unlock job creation
  • Displaced people in Bouar living amid fear and growing needs

Trending on NomadTV

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2bhBUqVHDw&t=3s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLCy9F-47as&t=19s

Tags

#POATE2020 #PearlofAfrica #VisitUganda Africa African Development Bank Africa Travel Angola Cape Town China Dubai East Africa Egypt Ghana Hotels Investment Johannesburg Kenya Kigali Limpopo Marrakech Marriott Mauritius Morocco Mozambique Nairobi Nigeria Nomad Africa Radisson Hotel Group Religious Tourism Rwanda RwandAir Senegal Seychelles South Africa South African Tourism Industry Tanzania Tourism Travel Travel News Uganda Venda VISA Wesgro Western Cape WTM Africa Zambia Zimbabwe
Book Now
ADVERTISEMENT

About Nomad Africa

Nomad Africa celebrates life on the African continent. Covering stories from all countries and all cultures, it strives to include unique tourist attractions, business development, technology and investment opportunities as well as looking at the continent's cultural heritage.

We Are Social

Recent Posts

  • Global pharma firm appoints South African MD to lead sub-Saharan Africa operations
  • Unique and more essential than ever
  • Anthony Nti’s Award Winning Film DA YIE shares a story of two children who are taken on a dangerous road trip
  • As Sub-Saharan crises force more to flee, UNHCR calls for stronger Mediterranean route response
  • Global tourism & leisure industry private equity deals total $4.61bn in Q3 2020

Recent Comments

  • Hassan Tongun on The Karo Tribe: Ethiopia’s Indigenous Group That Excels in Body Painting and Scarification
  • Teferi Adem on The Karo Tribe: Ethiopia’s Indigenous Group That Excels in Body Painting and Scarification

Get In Touch

2414 Publishing (Pty) Ltd,
135, Daisy Street, Off Grayston Drive, Sandowns, Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Tel: +27.[0]10.590.6264, +27.[0]11.052.4597
Cell:+27.719.130.776, +27.610.817.489
Email: info@nomadafricamag.com

Please send all press releases to editor@nomadafricamag.com.

  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Get In Touch

© 2021 All Rights Reserved 2414 Publishing (Pty) Ltd. Designed & Developed by: CreativeMagic Group.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Tourism News
  • Features
  • Top Destinations
  • Beliefs & Existence
  • Spotlight
  • Showcase
  • Watch
  • COVID19 Updates
  • Subscribe
  • Login

© 2021 All Rights Reserved 2414 Publishing (Pty) Ltd. Designed & Developed by: CreativeMagic Group.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkNo, thanks.Read Cookie Policy