ShareTrips' focus is on attracting foreign travellers to Bangladesh

ShareTrip, the leading online travel aggregator in the country, has made remarkable strides since its launch in 2019. In just four years, it has grown to become the largest platform in the nation, with the company's app already having been downloaded over 670,000 times.

Sadia Haque, the co-founder and CEO of ShareTrip, sat down with The Business Standard at her office in Bashundhara to discuss the journey of the company, its growth, and future plans. Sadia emphasised ShareTrip's role as a comprehensive travel solution provider, earning the trust of its customers. 

She also highlighted their current focus on showcasing the captivating attractions of Bangladesh through their app and website, with the aim of encouraging more foreign tourists to explore the country.

ShareTrip has made significant strides in a short time. Can you share how the idea for ShareTrip came about and the early stages of its development?

The idea for ShareTrip emerged from our passion for travel. My husband and I used to travel extensively, and as a result, friends and family often turned to us for travel-related advice, such as visa information and financial transactions. Recognising the need for a reliable platform, we decided to create one. Back in 2014-2015, we started with an offline agency from our home, investing our personal savings of Tk10-15 lakh.

Initially, we operated under the name 'Travel Booking Bangladesh.' Given our limited resources, we focused on providing quality services. Building a full-scale website was beyond our means at the time, so we began developing websites alongside our offline agency operations. 

As the response was positive, we gradually expanded. We eventually secured the support of a foreign investor in 2018, which allowed us to transition from offline to online operations. Then we launched the ShareTrip app and website in July 2019.

The company has shown impressive growth since its inception. Can you provide insights into its expansion and the current size of your team?

Absolutely. We have come a long way from our humble beginnings. We started with a small team of three to four members and have now grown to over 250 professionals. Our organisational structure includes separate departments for various aspects of our services, such as direct customers, businesses, corporates, finance, accounting, HR, administration, marketing, customer service, and technology. These teams work both independently and collaboratively to ensure the seamless operation of ShareTrip.

We are grateful for the positive reception we have received in the market from the beginning. Currently, we have three offices located in Bashundhara and Banani in Dhaka, and in Chattogram, covering 12,000 square feet of office space. We are actively expanding our infrastructure and plan to add an additional 20,000 square feet of office space in the coming months. Additionally, we have representatives positioned in various parts of the country to better serve our customers.

Could you please elaborate on your current significant service offerings?

We offer a comprehensive range of services through our travel app and website. This includes domestic and international flight bookings, hotel reservations, holiday packages, visa processing, medical tourism arrangements, and travel insurance, including baggage insurance. An example of our customer-centric approach is that during the pandemic, we facilitated Covid-19 testing by providing information on where to get tested and providing the option to book tests, and then we partnered with the relevant institutions to streamline the process, ensuring a hassle-free experience for our users.

What sets us apart is that we are more than just a typical online ticket booking platform. We aim to be a one-stop solution for all travel needs. Whether it's visas, tickets, or holiday planning, ShareTrip offers a platform that caters to a wide range of travel services, covering all categories of travel requirements.

What are your future plans for ShareTrip?

Our vision for the future involves long-term strategies in travel and aviation. With the inauguration of the airport's third terminal, we've seen a steady rise in new airlines. Our focus is now shifting towards promoting inbound tourism. While a huge number of Bangladeshis are travelling abroad there remains an untapped potential right here in Bangladesh.

To strengthen inbound tourism, we are actively highlighting the country's tourist attractions, making it easier for both domestic and international tourists to access information about these destinations. 

We provide a one-stop solution where tourists can find all the relevant information with a simple click, including details on where to stay at the travel destination and how to get there. Our platform offers information on 1,100 hotels, motels, and resorts across the country.

Previously, if someone wanted to book accommodation in places like Cox's Bazar, Rangpur, or Dhaka, they had to make multiple calls. Now, on our website or app, they can access all the necessary information, compare costs, and make bookings that align with their budget. ShareTrip's app and website make it easy for users to locate the hotels they require and facilitate secure payments via our all-in-one multi-channel payment gateway.

However, it is important to note that attracting foreign tourists isn't a task that we can accomplish in isolation. Various challenges, including infrastructure, hospitality, and security, need to be addressed. 

We can take cues from countries like Malaysia, Maldives, and Sri Lanka, which have made significant improvements in their tourism sectors. We must work collectively, starting at the policy level. Collaboration among regulatory bodies, the Civil Aviation Authority, and the Ministry of Tourism is essential.

What's the process for ticket cancellations and refunds at ShareTrip?

Over the last four years, we have implemented numerous updates to enhance our services. One significant improvement is the automation of refunds. We made the entire process easy, starting from issuing tickets, rescheduling, to hotel bookings. This automation ensures that requesting and processing refunds have become much more convenient and efficient for our users.

What challenges are you currently facing?

Our main challenge is getting small entrepreneurs in the travel and tourism sector to embrace technology and utilise our platform effectively. We are actively training them, and about 50% of tourism businesses can now manage their own information on our platform. We are working to support those not yet online.

In the broader context, the growth of the travel and aviation sector requires collaboration across government departments and sectors. Digital education and ecosystem digitisation are essential. Addressing financial transaction limits, such as the $300 cap on online purchases, is also important, especially for travellers. We're exploring potential solutions with Bangladesh Bank.

Where do you see ShareTrip in the next five years? 

In the next five years, we aim to be a competitor on the global stage and we want to strengthen our presence in the Bangladeshi market. While currently, ShareTrip is often associated solely with travel, our vision is for people to recognise that we offer more than just travel services. We are actively enhancing our website with engaging features, such as travel-related quizzes, to foster a deeper connection with our users beyond their travel experiences.