Travelstart strengthens brand penetration in the Nigerian travel market

Travelstart Nigeria, the Nigerian bureau of Travelstart – Africa’s largest online travel agency – is set to strengthen its brand presence and market penetration in the travel business in Nigeria with a series of marketing activities that will further engage its customers and business partners.

Earlier in the year, Travelstart Nigeria participated on a panel during the 2017 Social Media Week Lagos. Speaking on the Afro Tourism West Africa panel, Travelstart shared insights on how they are using email and mobile marketing to personalize the travel experience of Nigerians. The brand also seized the opportunity of the public holiday in May to meet and engage with current and prospective customers to further improve brand affinity. The Travelstart team was at Dreamworld Africana, Lekki on May 27, and Kanu Ndubusi Park Alausa on May 28 and at the Lagos Mum’s event at the Fun Factory, Admiralty Way, Lekki on May 29. Adults were given branded t-shirts and children branded Travelstart balloons, as they engaged with the brand through games and a dancing competition.

Most recently, the brand held its Affiliate Forum at the Ibis Hotel, Ikeja Lagos. The forum, which was the maiden edition since the largest online travel agency brand made its foray into the Nigerian market 5 years ago, was attended by about 50 Affiliates across the country.

Speaking at the forum, the Country Manager, Travelstart Nigeria, Philip Akesson described the forum as a strategic meeting with the aim of empowering the Affiliates by providing company updates and ways for the Affiliates to earn more commission. Akesson stated that the Affiliates are major stakeholders and business drivers for Travelstart Nigeria to achieve its goal of becoming the number one online travel agency in Nigeria offering its customers Cheap Flights, incredible Hotel deals, and affordable Car Rentals.

“With our core mission to fix travel in Africa, Travelstart is the largest online travel agency in Africa with Head Office in South Africa and offices in Egypt, Dubai etc., we need the expertise and partnership of our Affiliates to penetrate and win in the Nigerian market” he said.

Also speaking at the event, the Commercial Manager, Travelstart Nigeria, Bukky Olowude revealed that the brand is ready to invest more in marketing communications specifically offline to make the job of the Affiliates much easier thereby increasing their revenue.

“Prior to now, Travelstart has always been visible and active online. To further improve the brand’s visibility and affinity we are now ready to push the brand offline through strategic communication campaigns, therefore increasing online ticket sales for our affiliates” Olowude said.

She stressed further that Travelstart Nigeria, would invest heavily in communication to expand peoples’ mind by educating them that travel is not limited to only International travel. Thereby promoting local travel within Nigeria for weekends and Public Holidays while also promoting travel within West Africa (e.g. Ghana, Gambia) and Africa at large.

In his own remarks, the Affiliate Manager, Travelstart Nigeria, Mr. Azeez Alimi thanked the Affiliates for their partnership and support. He stated that the company would always ensure that their interest is well taken care of at all times. Alimi announced that going forward, the Affiliate Forum would hold twice in a year to continue to engage the Affiliates to grow the business.

Some of the Affiliates present at the forum commended Travelstart Nigeria for organizing the forum, which provided a unique opportunity to meet with the Travelstart Nigeria team to discuss and resolve issues. They also welcomed the idea of having the forum twice in a business year.

Travelstart Nigeria opened its doors in 2012 and is Africa’s largest online travel agency. Conceived in Sweden, Travelstart first opened its doors in 1999, as the brainchild of travel visionary Stephan Ekbergh. Nearly two decades, plenty of learning, growth and one African immigration later, Travelstart has its headquarters in the Cape Town with a regional office in Lagos, Nigeria.