The first real-time online hotel booking portal in Kenya now offers holiday makers and tourism industry players an easier way of securing accommodation.

The new website (www.intokenya.com) is the first of its kind in east and central Africa, offering online booking at a variety of locations in Kenya with just a few mouse clicks.

According to Mr Bernard Mbirie, a director at Central Reservation Bureau (CRB), the system communicates directly to the hotels, unlike other online booking options where an email is sent to the hotel which separately confirms availability of rooms before booking them.

“We aim to enhance efficiency, reduce paper work and increase business volumes by saving time from the use of telephone and faxes,” said Josphat Rukara, another of CRB director.

The tourism industry is playing catch up to technologies that have been standard in many markets, and have driven the global growth of tourism. Already, many tourist facilities sell their products on the Internet, and link up to general travel sites like Expedia and My Travel.

According to the Ministry of Tourism the Internet is today the premiere source of information and bookings for tourists.

But the usefulness of the technology has met hurdles such as the inability under Kenyan banking regulations, to do transact money online.

Credit cards payments are standard for acquiring goods and services online all over the world, including travel bookings. But in Kenya a lack of regulation has hindered the development of the crucial feature.

CRB found a solution in outsourcing this part of their site, partnering with South African firm, Portal Universe, to provide a way to pay online. According to Mr Mbirie, the partnership is necessary but does add extra costs. It will also mean that all transactions on the web will be made in dollars as opposed to shillings.

“Our major target client is local, and they will have to pay according to the exchange rate,” he said. However, if banks were able to offer this facility it would make it easier and cheaper, he added. Using E-res Central Reservations Systems to achieve instant “real time” transactions, the system runs on low bandwith. “You can even use a dial up,” Mr Mbirie said. The two directors invested Sh5 million to start the project, but it has moved quickly, taking just over a year to realise. The two hope to make money through a flat $5 (Sh350) transaction fee—regardless of the cost of the booking. This fee will be charged to the accommodation units.

Already, eight hotels have gone on board having taken part in the pilot phase of the venture, and CRB is aiming for more. The company also hopes to make money through advertising, especially travel packages by tour companies, on the site. Tour operators can also harness the website, as it provides a way to reach listed hotels, to make bookings and process vouchers on line.

retrieved from the Business Daily 10/02/08