The African tourism industry is a treasure trove of opportunities, offering visitors unparalleled experiences, from breathtaking safaris to luxurious lodges. However, businesses in this sector grapple with a significant challenge: high transaction costs for international payments. These costs affect everything from booking hotel stays to paying local staff, threatening the profitability of tourism operators.
Cross-border transactions often involve steep fees, including currency conversion costs, intermediary banking charges, and hidden administrative expenses. For instance, when international tourists book a luxury safari in Tanzania or South Africa, operators often absorb the burden of inflated transaction costs to remain competitive. Over time, these fees can erode already tight profit margins, leaving little room for reinvestment.
Take the case of a mid-sized safari lodge in Kenya. They depend on international guests who pay in USD or Euros. However, converting these payments into Kenyan Shillings incurs high conversion fees. Add intermediary bank charges, and the net payment received is significantly reduced. This not only limits the lodge’s ability to maintain high standards but also hinders its growth potential.
High transaction costs don’t just affect businesses—they impact tourists too.
Additional costs passed onto travelers make African tourism packages less competitive on the global stage. Moreover, small tourism operators, who often operate on razor-thin margins, are disproportionately affected, further widening the gap between large and small players in the industry.
This is where IPT Africa steps in to make a difference. By offering transparent pricing and significantly lower fees (ranging from 0.75% to 2%), IPT Africa ensures that tourism operators and their clients retain more of their hard-earned money. Unlike traditional banking systems that impose multiple hidden charges, IPT Africa eliminates onward payment fees, providing peace of mind and substantial savings.
IPT Africa’s scalable payment platform enables tourism businesses to process international transactions seamlessly, ensuring they can focus on delivering exceptional guest experiences rather than worrying about financial inefficiencies.
If you would like to know more about our offering, or just connect over how to best tackle Africa, check our solutions on the website and contact us.