Travel Bay to launch at SMW Lagos

Travel democratisation platform Travel Bay is to launch with a three-day photo exhibition at the Social Media Week (SMW) Lagos event on February 23-25.

Travel Bay allows users to browse travel packages and start saving towards it with the help from pitch-ins from friends and family,

The startup, which plans to roll out a beta version of the app in the next few months but will grant earlier access to people who show interest on the launch page, will launch with the #KeepOnMoving photo exhibition at SMW Lagos, and will feature curated photographs from entries sent via Instagram.

“Travel Bay is a startup looking to democratise the travel experience for holiday goers. We are proud to open shop with this exhibition which has the central theme, ‘Celebrating the upwardly mobile and optimistic African’”, said Yoma Victor, co-founder of Travel Bay.

Victor said Nigeria is a country which has approximately 170 million people and a growing middle class, but yet has millions of people who cannot afford to put down a large lump sum to travel.

Travel Bay’s aim is to ensure money does not prevent people from exploring the world.

Co-founder Nubi Kay told Disrupt Africa Travel Bay was currently being funded by the founding team but was in talks with angel investors and looking at the possibility of crowdfunding.

​He said the major customer segment was anyone who wants to travel but cannot afford to pay the lump sum on flights, hotels and other expenses, but would rather save over three to 12 months.

“This include students with disposable incomes, to middle class workers,” he said.

“A second market is that of those looking for convenience – so instead of site hopping from airline to hotel site, you get it all in package​ on Travel Bay. Finally, the high-end market to be launched on TravelBay.club platform. More on this to be announced down the line.”

​He said the startup’s ultimate aim is to make it easier for people to plan as individuals, families, groups and organisations towards a holiday.

“We plan to launch in Africa but quickly looking at other markets to replicate the model once the process is standardised,” Kay said.