A new online platform based on the concept of Facebook auctions will allow South Africans to find, bid on or buy unbeatable deals at some of Southern Africa’s best safari destinations, favourite vacation spots and world-class activities and experiences.
‘Our vision is to take distressed inventory from establishments and put it up for auction, creating unparalleled opportunities for domestic travellers’, says co-founder of Bid on Travel, Mike Richardson.
Bid on Travel aims to offer transparent and easy access to discounted travel deals.
‘We hope this site generates the response that encourages our establishments to keep offering lots for auction. Who knows, maybe it becomes a new distribution channel!’
He added that many lodges are intrigued but the concept is still a bit foreign, and encouraged those interested to look into the potential of this platform to generate public interest and income.
‘We do need at least STO rates [Sell to Operator rates, where a supplier offers products at a rate below the recommended selling price], preferably more for starting bids to be as low as possible,’ Richardson said.
Richardson and his partner, Vikki Richardson have marketing backgrounds for lodges and B&B’s, and have assisted owner run entities to cover all the distribution marketing bases. ‘South Africa has a flawed tourism model that has been exposed by our over-reliance on international travellers. Compounded by our value-proposition as a country – our sliding Rand has made South Africa an incredible value for money destination. We’re at a point where the traditional lodges can not rely on domestic tourism to bridge the gap,’ Richardson adds.
To find out more, visit the Facebook page or contact [email protected]
Image credit: Unsplash
