Whoever would have thought that one of America’s shopping frenzies, Black Friday, would ever make it to our shores … well,think again and read on to see what Lillian Gaitho’s take is on that latest craze to hit the East African shores …
JOVAGO ANNOUNCES BLACK FRIDAY OFFERS; AIMS AT TRIPLING SALES FOR HOLIDAY SEASON
In a first of its kind in Africa, Jovago has announced its first Black Friday sale; offering 50% discount on hotel bookings made between the midnight of 27t – 28TH November.
Explaining the concept, Estelle Verdier Managing Director for Jovago.com cited that, ‘Travel purchases as gifts are becoming popular by the day, and Black Friday’s growth is also taking unprecedented leaps online, we want to be part of this excitement by injecting the convenience and efficiency required‘.
The Jovago 50% discounted sale will last for 24 hours, kicking off at the stroke of midnight this Friday.
The MD explained that customer care services across the continent are ready for the anticipated surge, with the recent additions of local language website versions, LiveChat feature and a generally easier interface paving way for a seamless process. She also observes that the inclusion of the Jovago Android App will come in handy as both availability and speed of connection are key factors in online business transactions.
The hotel sector is also embracing this seasonal shift; joining other players such as airlines, tour agencies and travel gear suppliers in offering festivity bargains. Apart from attracting new customers, this trend also aims at rewarding loyalty as well as sell rooms that may have otherwise not attracted any bookings through the period.
With the festive season around the corner, traders are cashing in on the mood. Both customers and companies are responding to the traditions of the festive period; taking advantage of the day more traditionally popular for slashed prices across different retail sectors. Despite its controversial origins that go back to crumbling stock markets on Wall Street to chaos in Philadelphia and slave trade back in the centuries; Black Friday is now generally accepted as the flood gate to endless discounted merchandise. Stores have gone a notch higher, with some kicking off ‘hot sales’ several days ahead of thanksgiving day – that traditionally marked the start of the purchase season – to continue several days after, some way after the ‘Cyber Monday’
With a diverse inventory of over 25,000 hotels on its platform, Jovago hopes to triple the travel sales for the season; starting off with Jamhuri weekend sales to Christmas getaways and New Year breaks all the way to Valentine 2016.
