OneBoard, a pioneering travel platform founded by Goa natives Ryan Prazeres, Ray Vaz, and Shreyansh Doshi, is setting new standards in the tourism industry. Focused on providing verified, reliable, and hassle-free tour and activity bookings, OneBoard is transforming how travelers experience Goa and paving the way for its global expansion.
Ensuring Authenticity and Reliability
OneBoard’s commitment to authenticity and reliability sets it apart from traditional booking methods in the tourism sector. The platform takes a hands-on approach to ensure that every tour and activity listed is exactly what travelers expect. “We personally verify each provider to ensure their activities match what is being sold,” shares Ryan Prazeres, Co-Founder & CEO of OneBoard. This rigorous verification process includes surprise checks on the activities to maintain the highest standards. Additionally, customer feedback plays a crucial role in continuously refining the offerings, ensuring that travelers’ expectations are consistently met.
For travelers, this means peace of mind when booking experiences in a new destination like Goa. The platform eliminates the stress and uncertainty often associated with finding and booking activities, particularly in a region where touts, scams, and inflated prices can be common. “With OneBoard, instant confirmation is sent to your phone with just a few easy clicks. If customers need any cancellations or modifications within the specified policy, we immediately assist. If it doesn’t match what we market, we guarantee a refund,” adds Prazeres.
Empowering Providers with Innovative B2B Tools
OneBoard is not just a boon for travelers but also for experience providers in Goa. Through its B2B Partner Portal, OneBoard offers a comprehensive toolset that allows providers to seamlessly add their experiences, manage bookings, and collaborate with other providers. This platform empowers providers to efficiently run their operations, ensuring a smooth and professional experience for their customers. Automated reminders, account management, and the ability to send bookings directly to customers are just a few of the features that make OneBoard an invaluable resource for local businesses.
The Vision Behind OneBoard
The inspiration for OneBoard came from the co-founders’ personal experiences as adventure enthusiasts growing up in Goa. “We found it cumbersome and painful to get the right information and book activities,” Prazeres recalls. “Often, after booking something we were looking forward to, we realized that we had overpaid.” The tourism landscape in Goa has been rapidly changing, with touts and fake operators becoming increasingly prevalent. The co-founders recognized the urgent need for a solution that would protect both the state’s reputation and the safety of its visitors. OneBoard was born out of this necessity, ensuring a hassle-free, transparent, and enjoyable experience for all.
The founding team brings a wealth of expertise to the table, with backgrounds in finance, sales & marketing, hospitality, travel, and software development. This diverse skill set has allowed OneBoard to operate efficiently and deliver the highest quality output, making it a standout platform in Goa’s tourism sector.
Eliminating Scams and Inflated Prices
One of OneBoard’s most significant contributions to the travel experience in Goa is its commitment to eliminating scams and inflated prices. By providing transparent pricing and answering all customer inquiries promptly, OneBoard has built a reputation for reliability and trustworthiness. “We onboard only the best providers, taking a fair price from them and adding a reasonable margin for our services,” Prazeres explains. The result is a win-win situation for both travelers and providers, fostering long-term relationships and repeat business. Many customers who book through OneBoard for the first time end up using the platform for all their activities during their trip, a testament to the platform’s value and customer satisfaction.
Impact of Early Investments and Future Expansion
The early support from Build3 Start Up Studio, Start Up India, and Start Up Goa has been instrumental in OneBoard’s development and growth. “Raising capital early on brought believers and backers to our mission,” says Prazeres. These investments enabled the company to experiment with various product versions, identify core challenges, and develop lasting solutions. The mentorship, network, and support from these investors have been indispensable, helping OneBoard navigate the complexities of the tourism industry while maintaining a focus on responsible and sustainable tourism practices.
Looking ahead, OneBoard has ambitious plans for expanding its network of verified providers and enhancing its user-centric approach. “Goa is our home, and being a tourism hub has allowed us to quickly validate our product and services,” Prazeres notes. However, the team’s vision extends far beyond Goa. “As a team that loves traveling and exploring, we’ve faced similar challenges in many other destinations locally and abroad. We believe this is the decade for experiences, and people today seek more from a holiday than just the ordinary.” OneBoard aims to be a trusted companion for travelers worldwide, offering reliable, high-quality experiences wherever they go.
Conclusion
As OneBoard continues to revolutionize the tourism industry in Goa and sets its sights on global expansion, it remains committed to its core values of authenticity, reliability, and customer satisfaction. With a focus on responsible tourism and a dedication to enhancing the travel experience, OneBoard is poised to become a leading name in the global travel industry, trusted by travelers and providers alike.
