Travelobuddies.com = Social Utility Services + Travelers Community
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Previously we have blogged on travel social networking site WAYN coming to India and on the Travel + Web 2.0 strategy of other travel sites.
Now, another player Travelobuddies has entered with Social utility service + Travelers community as the theme with a purpose to offer a platform for the users across the globe to share their stories along with providing bed and breakfast scheme. Along with regular services like TravelForum, Travelogue .etc., Travelobuddies featured services include “Home Stay“, where you can find local person who can offer you for home stay . Another interesting feature is “Travel Bazaar” (still under development phase) which is a classified listing where users can promote their services and local businesses.
The site is in beta phase, thus an user might face some glitches. It offers two kind of memberships - Free and Paid, where later one have privileges to promote home stay scheme and their local business on Travel Bazaar. More details.
Neeraj Mehta, founder, Traverobuddies later told WATblog that idea of this community came while pondering upon the following points:-
- Exponential growth in inbound as well as domestic tourism in India.
- Upcoming events like Commonwealth Games and World Cup of Hockey in India in year 2010.
- Explosive Growth of Internet market and social networking sites.
Now, coming to the revenue model, Travelobuddies monetizes in 3 ways:-
- Keeping 30% of the total sales for “Home Stay” service.
- 10% of the total transaction from “Travel Bazaar”.
- Advertisement on the site.
While there is increase in tourist traffic, government is expecting a short fall of organised accommodation to the tourist coming to India during 2010-2011. With absence of organised accommodation, bed and breakfast services and upcoming Commonwealth Games and World Cup Hockey, Travelobuddies might click.
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With the help of the internet , the tourism and hospitality sector have been able to attract more tourists in the country.Be it for pleasure or business , travelers can acquire tickets and accommodation from the comfort of their home.
What about this MisterContact.com ?
None of these you are talking about can even be competitive !
Yeah, went through the website, travelobuddies.com. It is a great concept, and I feel their’s privacy policy looks good. Homestay option is quite good too. But it still lacks in content. But, I guess they are working on it. Combining the social networking with a travel community is a great concept and thats where the travel industry is heading too. All the best. I would personally recommend this website for travelers coming to India.