The pandemic has left many Australians looking for alternatives to their annual overseas travel trip, sparking a growing trend in water-based domestic tourism. As such, boat rental platform Flotespace, is riding the crest of the wave and launching in Queensland.
The launch comes after the tech platform reported a 300% increase in requests for boat and yacht rentals over the summer season in New South Wales and Victoria, with 70% of all boats booked out on a regular basis.
How is the platform disrupting the boating industry
Transforming the waterways with its online marketplace for boat and yacht rentals, demand over the summer period has seen the business report a 675% growth in monthly revenue.
The incredible increase comes off the back of a strong end to 2020 for the company, which reported tracking towards AU$5.2 million in annual gross revenue as of December 2020, as boating goes gangbusters in the face of limited travel options.
Enabling commercially surveyed boats and yachts to be listed on the platform, has created a way for vessel owners to utilise assets and generate additional revenue streams, a much welcome option for charter boat owners in a time when the tourism industry is quiet.
Incredibly, a number of owners in other states have reported a rise in revenue by 80% in recent months since signing up to the platform. Several Queensland based owners on the platform have already listed multiple vessels in time for the launch.
Helping to bolster domestic tourism is one way Flotespace is transforming the boating industry. The business is developing sophisticated new booking system with cutting-edge technology enabling users to see available slots, book a boat, in real-time.
Pioneering in the boating industry
The platform will be the first of its kind to adopt this technology in Australia – no other boating hire platform in Australia currently offers this feature.
This innovation is being led by tech veteran Jeff Lewis (ex VP of Tech Engineering Strategy at TripAdvisor) who has come on board to help transform the platform’s technology, which he promises will bring boating “into the twenty-first century”.
Hugh Treseder, Founder and CEO of Flotespace, says, “Many Queensland residents have decided to explore the waterways on their doorstep and are realising what incredible experiences are available to them locally.”
People are hiring boats, yachts and super yachts because it’s a flexible and exciting option for group outings and events – and they still travel around in style. It is often also far better value.
“Being able to support domestic tourism and help Queensland charter boat owners generate extra income is at the core of our business, and we’re thrilled to be launching into the sunshine state. Our aim is to enable people experience the incredible life on the water.”
Jeff Lewis, Director Flotespace, says, “The online booking system was adopted by hotels in the 00s, tour operators and restaurants in the 10s, but is yet to reach the boating industry.”
We are bringing boating into the modern age by developing Flotespace’s online platform, so that the availability of boats can be seen in real-time and can be booked there and then. It’s awesome, we have some very cool things in store.
“This will cut out the wait times involved with boat hire, and enable owners to maximise the number of times their vessels are booked. We’re confident this is going to flip the industry on its head and revolutionise the ease and speed with which people can enjoy boating.”
Co-Owner of GC Sailing Charters, Michael Locke said: “We’re really excited to have a platform like Flotespace disrupting the Queensland boat chartering market. The website makes it so much quicker and simpler to book and is connecting us with a lot of new customers.”
