Travelstart

{{short description|African online travel booking website}}

{{Infobox website

| name = Travelstart

| logo = Non-country specific logo for Travelstart.png

| logo_caption = Freedom to move

| type = Privately held company

| language = English

| foundation = {{start date and age|1999}}

| CEO = Stephan Ekbergh

| key_people = Stephan Ekbergh (CEO)

| industry = Travel
Internet

| services = Flight bookings, accommodation bookings, car hires.

| num_employees = 200+

| website = {{URL|travelstart.co.za}}

| location_city = Cape Town

| country = South Africa

}}

Travelstart is an African online travel booking website, offering flights, hotel bookings, car rental, vacation packages and other travel services through an online booking engine[http://www.brainstormmag.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3911%3Astarting-up&Itemid=124 "A relatively unknown outfit is rapidly becoming one of the biggest web businesses in South Africa"], ITWeb Brainstorm, 2010-01-07

It operates in South Africa, Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.{{cite web | url=https://www.travelstart.co.za/lp/about-us | title=About Us | publisher=travelstart.co.za}}

The website uses global distribution systems such as Amadeus IT Group and Travelfusion for flights, and CarTrawler for online car hire bookings. Most revenue is generated from Pay per click (PPC) advertising, as well as an extensive affiliate network.[https://www.edealo.com/edealo-visit-to-travelstart-hq-in-cape-town/ "EDEALO Visit to Travelstart HQ in Cape Town"] All Travelstart websites use Thawte to secure online payments.[https://sealinfo.thawte.com/thawtesplash?form_file=fdf/thawtesplash.fdf&dn=WWW.TRAVELSTART.CO.ZA&lang=en "Verify SSL Web Server Wildcard Certificate"]

The website was founded in Sweden in 1999 by Stephan Ekbergh. Before launching Travelstart, Ekbergh founded Sweden's first online travel agency, Mr Jet (1995).[http://mybroadband.co.za/nephp/4021.html "Travel pioneer starts online roll-out in SA"], MyBroadband, 2006-08-30 In 2010, Travelstart Nordic was sold to European Travel Interactive AB(eTRAVELi){{Cite web|url=https://www.travelstart.se/pressinformation/2010/etraveli-koper-konkurrenten-travelstart|title=eTRAVELi köper Travelstart{{!}}|language=sv|access-date=2022-08-16}} and the company headquarters was moved to Cape Town, South Africa.[http://www.etraveli.com/press_2010_01_20_eTRAVELi_acquires_competitor_Travelstart_in_Europe.html "eTRAVELi acquires competitor Travelstart in Europe"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130401035731/http://www.etraveli.com/press_2010_01_20_eTRAVELi_acquires_competitor_Travelstart_in_Europe.html |date=2013-04-01 }}, 2010-01-20{{cite news | url=https://www.phocuswire.com/TravelStart-sale-to-eTRAVELi-triggers-major-Scandinavian-power-shift | title=TravelStart sale to eTRAVELi triggers major Scandinavian power shift | first=Kevin | last=May | work=Phocuswire | date=January 21, 2010}} Travelstart operates in South Africa since 2006,[http://www.southafrica.info/business/trends/newbusiness/travelstart300806.htm#.UOqZFG-ccg4 "A start-up with lots of potential"], SouthAfrica.info, 2006-08-31 and emerging markets throughout Africa.[http://www.livemint.com/Industry/g3HRN9w0sTganAZsc33qKN/Expedia-Travelocity-ready-India-operations.html "Expedia, Travelocity ready India operations"], Livemint & The Wall Street Journal, 2007-10-17 In 2012, Travelstart Nigeria was launched.{{Cite press release | title=Travelstart Travel Agency Launches in Nigeria| url=https://www.pr.com/press-release/413501 | date=May 18, 2012}} and later Travelstart Egypt, which was located in Maadi district of Greater Cairo.

In December 2019, Travelstart acquired competitor Jumia Travel from Jumia.{{Cite web|url=https://www.phocuswire.com/travelstart-jumia-travel-africa|title=Travelstart takes over rival Jumia Travel, plans to tap new customers {{!}} PhocusWire|website=www.phocuswire.com|language=en|access-date=2020-02-05}} Under the purchase agreement, Travelstart took control of Jumia Travel's online book websites.{{Cite web|date=2019-12-11|title=The Wrap: Travelstart takes over management of Jumia Travel’s operations across Africa|url=https://www.webintravel.com/the-wrap-travelstart-takes-over-management-of-jumia-travels-operations-across-africa/|access-date=2021-01-31|website=WIT|language=en-US}}