AIRBNB has launched
‘Adventures’, a package
solution that competes with
tour operators and agents
packaging destinations.
But despite the fanfare
surrounding the launch,
travel agents and tour
operators don’t believe it
will undermine their
relevance to consumers.
Airbnb Adventures offers
travellers the opportunity to
book adventures organised
by Airbnb hosts around the
world. In Cape Town, for
example, tourists can take
up a host’s offer to travel
with shark researchers and
go cage-diving.
Adventures taps into the
growing adventure tourism
market, with Airbnb touting it
as a cheaper alternative for
travellers looking for unique
trips that mainstream tour
operators cannot offer.
Travel agents and tour
operators say they are
not convinced that it is a
practical option for their
clients. Many spoke of
the risks associated with
booking tours through
platforms like Airbnb
Adventures.
Tracy Teichmann, manager
and director of Sure Adcocks
Travel in Durban, said she
would rather stick with tour
operators she had worked
with before and with whom
she had an established
working relationship. “There
are no middlemen with
Airbnb; there’s no servicelevel agreement. It’s an
example of why people need
travel agents.
“Clients have no contact
with Airbnb,” said Tracy.
“How would Airbnb support
clients if something went
wrong? I would want to be
able to call someone if there
was a problem.”
Thompsons Holidays
PR and media manager,
John Ridler, said clients
relied on the expertise of a
competent travel agent.
“Not only do they receive
relevant information, they
also have the peace of
mind that they can call the
agent in the event of
a problem.
