Airbnb launched in SA

[Kevin Lancaster]

Airbnb launched in South Africa

The CEO of Airbnb has officially launched the service in South Africa.

 

[saliehendricks]

Starbucks and now this. These companies hurt the local businesses. They will need to make some drastic decisions to remain alive.

 

[azboob]

Why does it need an "official" launch if it's always been available?

 

[hellfire]

Starbucks and now this. These companies hurt the local businesses. They will need to make some drastic decisions to remain alive.

Local businesses are only hurt if they are not providing best in class service or product.
In which case, the consumer wins - this is the way that free markets should operate

 

[saliehendricks]

Local businesses are only hurt if they are not providing best in class service or product.
In which case, the consumer wins - this is the way that free markets should operate

Agreed. It's not great for consumers once there is a Monopoly though.

 

[Valerion]

Agreed. It's not great for consumers once there is a Monopoly though.

These businesses are extremely vulnerable, though. The barrier to entry is very low - a reliable hosting centre, some software, support staff, so if you run a good operation you can take their business away from them. And you can go global very fast.

 

[saliehendricks]

These businesses are extremely vulnerable, though. The barrier to entry is very low - a reliable hosting centre, some software, support staff, so if you run a good operation you can take their business away from them. And you can go global very fast.

The opposite is also true. These massive companies can take your existing business since they have better DC's, Software, Staff, Brand oh and of course the buck$$$$. Tricky to compete against them - Service and Price is always good start.

 

[Shayd]

The opposite is also true. These massive companies can take your existing business since they have better DC's, Software, Staff, Brand oh and of course the buck$$$$. Tricky to compete against them - Service and Price is always good start.

Sooo. In a nutshell who ever services the customer better wins? Hooray for capitalism.

 

[Valerion]

The opposite is also true. These massive companies can take your existing business since they have better DC's, Software, Staff, Brand oh and of course the buck$$$$. Tricky to compete against them - Service and Price is always good start.

But it is a lot easier than competing with Sun International or similar. AirBnB is a Bed-and-breakfast vendor that owns no hotels/resorts/houses. Just like Uber is a taxi company that owns no taxis. Internationally they do have competition from Lyft (not here, though). So it is possible to compete, but you need to bring something new to the market that Uber/Lyft/AirBnB cannot offer. Do that, and get the millenial crowd on your side (social media?) and you can make a big impact.

And if they buy you out, you take the money and start a new idea. Or invest it.

 

[Malkie]

Airbnb has been around for quite a long time now so I am also intrigued to know why the big hoo ha now. Perhaps just to get some added publicity. I doubt very much if it ruins local businesses in fact I know that by listing properties available in our country for rental they are doing a lot of good for the local properties. They are after all just a booking agency operating worldwide. I for one have used Airbnb to find holiday accommodation in Port Alfred and found their service very good. I normally look at Airbnb and Bookings.com for my accommodation needs.

 

[saliehendricks]

I refer to the local Web sites. Some have 100+ employees. A buy out is fine for those who have ownership in that business but not arch good news for the workers. Not complaining about capitalist economy.. Its just not all roses when these big boys enter our market.