nowboat Launches 2.0 Platform: All-in-one seafaring adventures
by nowboat 3 Dec 2016 11:08 GMT
3 December 2016
All-in-one seafaring adventures with nowboat © nowboat
nowboat, the first all-in-one seafaring adventure platform is revolutionizing the travel industry by giving operators free business management tools, giving travellers exclusively-curated global sea adventures, and giving environmental NGOs a fundraising platform. nowboat 2.0 launches in May 2016, adding even greater value to this unique and easy-to-use business ecosystem with enhanced user experience elements and added functionalities.
"A lot of people assume that we are similar to Uber or Airbnb in our concept, but this is not true" says founder Giovanni Alessi Anghini. "While we respect these kinds of companies for developing new business models, this is not our intention; we built nowboat as a commitment to support the existing business system of seafaring operators, adventurers, and NGOs by including them in the equation – a need in this particular industry." The nowboat mission is to be the first transparent and virtuous business model in its industry, supporting and celebrating all involved and serving as an example of exceptional business design.
As noted on Bloomberg.com: "Nowboat might have a similarly [to Airbnb] slick interface, but all of the listings are from professional tour operators and charter companies vetted for safety, eco-friendliness, and ethical treatment of workers. For various liability and insurance reasons, this model is basically a necessity."
A necessity guided by three main goals:
- To create an easy, fast, and enjoyable way for adventurers to satisfy their desire for discovery.
- To support professional seafaring operators by making unique adventures available to all travelers.
- To protect the oceans through environmental conservation and creating awareness.
The 2.0 launch opened up a new kind of user experience, including an Editor's Pick section with travel tips and suggestions, an Ask A Porter section which puts the customer directly in touch with operators to provide personalized recommendations, and a section for NGOs to apply for partnership in the environmental conservation initiative.
Editor's Pick
Choosing where to travel can be overwhelming, not to mention the planning and execution of a trip. nowboat expert travelers have pooled their experiences (both positive and negative) to create guides to some of the best seafaring areas in the world.
Editor's Pick tips include invaluable advice such as:
- How to arrive from other regions of the world (by plane, train, etc.)
- The best time of year to visit
- Do's and Don'ts for safety and adjustment to the culture
- The best local food and drink
- A brief history of the area
- Ideas for land activities, before and after the sea adventure
- Key phrases in the native language, and more
Ask a Porter
Here, customers can directly reach all operators that offer the specific set of services required by the traveler. Users can select the number of travelers, desired location in the world, type of adventure (luxury, adrenaline, romantic, family, etc.), and even their maximum budget and operators will come back to the traveler with customized and handcrafted travel options to ensure easy planning and an adventure that is truly personalized.
NGO's
nowboat shares a strong belief with its operators and customers that we don't inherit the planet from our ancestors, but we borrow it from our children. It is of crucial importance to protect the planet, as well as enjoy it. Each booking on nowboat.com will enable the customer to support an NGO by choosing from a pre-approved list of options. Current NGOs listed include Greenpeace, World Wildlife Fund, Mission Blue, and more. Additional NGOs may apply to participate at nowboat.com/ngo.
The site design for nowboat.com is a collaboration by professional designer Giovanni Alessi Anghini and a UX expert from Ogilvy & Mather, combining intuitive, clean, and striking digital competencies. Since the launch of its beta version in July 2015, nowboat has been celebrated by customers for curating a list of trusted professional businesses and for taking the risk out of booking trips all over the world. Operators know that nowboat is the most user friendly platform to help seafaring businesses connect with a large customer base through communication and media facilitated by built-in marketing, scheduling and management tools.
Alessi Anghini, an avid and adventurous kite surfer, had firsthand experience with the previous state of finding the best and most unique seafaring adventures. He saw the challenges that explorers face to select the right operator and program and noticed most relied on word of mouth. nowboat was born as a way to bring together all of these experiences and scour the globe for more.
"The world would be a better place if people were given the right tools to cultivate and celebrate the magic within their lives," says Alessi. "We created nowboat to do just that; our goal is to take this journey with our customers as they explore and fulfill their dreams."
For more information, visit www.nowboat.com.
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About nowboat
nowboat is a business ecosystem connecting seafaring adventurers with professional operators, in a process that supports NGOs that protect the environments where the former meet. Founded by professional designer Giovanni Alessi Anghini and designed with UX expert at Ogilvy & Mather, its beta version launched in July 2015 and the 2.0 platform launches in May 2016. The company is based in Hong Kong with team members hand-selected from top positions at global companies including Ogilvy & Mather, Alexander Wang, Fox Entertainment and an advisor to the United Nations. This powerhouse team is located in seven different countries around the world to support the boating and adventure travel industry in categories including luxury, wellness, adrenaline, general travel, and more, with emphasis on conservation through support of approved NGOs. nowboat was recently selected as one of the top start-ups by the Rise Conference and will be featured at their 2016 event in Hong Kong.