Travel tech startups are a major deal today. A little over a decade ago, if you wanted to book flights or hotels, you would have to physically visit the airport or use a travel agent. Today, everyone wants the easier life and these companies help better our travel experience.
Here are Six Nigerian Travel Tech Startups wroth looking out for.
Wakanow
Wakanow was established in 2008 and is arguably Nigeria’s first OTA (Online Travel Agent) to bridge the gap and eliminate the barriers and inefficiencies facing the travel industry. A major catalyst in the launch of the platform was 2010 World Cup in South Africa, affording it the much needed early kick-off momentum.
Wakanow has indeed grown to become one of Africa’s leading travel booking portals, with a physical presence in Nigeria, UAE, Ghana, UK, US and plans for other African countries. Wakanow boasts of a convenient payment system, excellent customer service and innovative technological solutions. Wakanow has expanded the frontiers of travel to become a force to be reckoned with in the African travel landscape. In 2013, Wakanow was recognized as one of the fastest growing online companies in Nigeria by the Tony Elumelu Foundation in alliance with the All-world Networks based in the UK.
Travelbeta
Another travel tech startup to be aware of is Travelbeta. Travelbeta caters to customers needs in the areas of flights, hotels, airport pickups, vacation packages, corporate packages, visa assistance, and international telephone services. Essentially, they are a one-stop online travel agency that makes it easy and quick to book your holidays and they operate with a mission to deliver memorable travel experiences to all customers without exception.
Co-founded in July 2015 by entrepreneur Onyeka Akumah, Travelbeta begun operations as an offline travel agency before launching online in October of the same year. As reported by Forbes, In November 2015, the company raised a seed round of $2 million.
Hotels.ng
Arguably the most popular of Nigerian Travel Tech Startups. Hotels.ng is an online travel agency specialising in hotel bookings within Nigeria. Founded in 2012 by Mark Essien in Akwa Ibom State, the company has grown its directory to hold over 7,138 hotels across 320 cities in Nigeria.
They provide comprehensive help and support to their clients and make the hotel booking process smooth and easy. In addition, through their platform, you can get hotel recommendations and reviews and ensure that you stay in good, clean and safe hotels all over Nigeria. Over the years, they have helped millions of customers in and outside Nigeria book hotels in Nigeria.
In May 2015, Techcrunch reported Hotels.ng raised $1.2 million to expand across Africa.
Ajala.ng
If you are looking for favourable and affordable local and international travel, cruise and hotel rates, you might want to check ajala.ng.
Launched in 2015, Ajala.ng helps you with Visa processing assistance, Tour guidance, Travel financing (Ajala Pay Easy), Group travel packages, Destination events and corporate meetings anywhere in the World!
Ajala.ng’s vision is to be the best in creating superior and seamless travel experience, so it’s definitely worth giving them a try.
Jumia Travel
Owned by Rocket Internet, Jumia Travel launched in 2013 as Jovago with an inventory of 140,000 bookable hotels online and only 200 local hotels. Today, the company enables its customers to book any of the 8000 hotels in Nigeria securely online.
With offices are located in Lagos (Nigeria), Accra (Ghana), Dakar (Senegal), Abidjan (Ivory Coast), Algiers (Algeria), Douala (Cameroon), Kampala (Uganda), Dar Es Salaam (Tanzania), Nairobi (Kenya), Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Porto (Portugal) and Paris (France), Jumia intends to bring every bit of available accommodation online and to create the easiest and cheapest way for customers to book it.
Travelstart
Travelstart launched in Nigeria in 2012 and helps its customers with cheap flights, incredible hotels and affordable car rentals. In 2016, Travelstart received an investment of $40M led by Amadeus Capital Partners (London), for its growth in Nigeria and to solidify the company’s position as the biggest OTA player on the continent.
Travelstart wants their customers to spend less time planning their travels and more time on the travels. So they help save time, money and stress with a simple online booking platform.
So that’s it. Have you tried any of these Travel Tech Startups or did I miss any? Let me know in the comments below.
