PODCAST | Ease of online bookings critical to revive tourism in SA

Online hotel bookings are the focus of this edition of the Business Day Spotlight. 

Our host Mudiwa Gavaza is joined by Samantha Williams, commercial director at Profitroom.

Profitroom is a hotel and accommodation booking engine (or platform) that can be built into existing websites for hotels and resorts to boost direct bookings and revenue through their own platforms.

The company recently launched in SA and is building up a team of sales and other experts that will help it increase the number of customers on its books.

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The hospitality operator says its goal is to become the largest booking engine in the sub-Saharan hospitality market within the next few years. It now has deals with Sun International, Gooderson Leisure Group and Dreams Hotels & Resorts. 

Williams explains some elements of Profitroom’s model that have helped the platform stand out among online booking competitors such as Airbnb and booking.com.

According to Williams, Sun International has increased direct online revenue by 178% in the 12 months since it started using the Profitroom platform and reduced its reliance on online travel agents by 43%. Similarly, Gooderson Leisure boosted its online revenue by 57% in three months. Other clients include Dreams Hotels & Resorts, and the company is now in negotiations with several other hotel groups.

Topics of discussion include: Profitroom’s business model; elements that have helped the platform stand out among competitors; its strategy in terms of acquiring customers; and some of the results that the company has achieved in the local market.