WORKTRIPPER, an online
accommodation booking
platform designed specifically
for the South African business
traveller, launched in May.
Says Claire Butterfield,
marketing manager of WorkTripper:
“We have the backing of our
parent company, TravelGround,
which has been in the online
accommodation booking business
for over nine years.”
Claire explains WorkTripper
helps connect business travellers
with business-ready guesthouse
accommodation across South
Africa, with access to over
12 000 establishments. “Over
1500 of these establishments
offer business rates prenegotiated
by WorkTripper,”
she says.
According to Claire, WorkTripper
is for business travellers for
whom a travel agency or in-house
travel group is too costly and
where the available leisure options
are not ideal for business stays.
She says WorkTripper hopes
to work with the trade too. “One
key feature that will be released
on the platform is the capacity
for travel managers to book on
behalf of others, using our search
function, filters and negotiated
rates.”
“Soon, we also want to enable
the trade to earn commission
when making bookings via
WorkTripper,” adds Claire.
All WorkTripper establishments
are given a business-readiness
score, calculated using factors
such as WiFi-availability, instant
bookings, a flexible cancellation
policy and guest reviews.
Establishments that score highly
in the business-readiness ratings
receive a special WorkSmart
accreditation.
Travellers that review their
stay are awarded 5% of its
value in TripCoins, which can be
redeemed on any future trips,
says Claire.
WorkTripper differentiates itself
from Airbnb through its high-touch
customer service offering: “We
have an agent dedicated to
every booking, and our call centre
is open until midnight, 365 days
a year.”
