Natalia Muscatelli
09/14/2021 11:46 AM
Clarín.com
Economy
Updated 9/14/2021 11:46 AM
Faced with the new needs for tourist outings posed by the pandemic, two local entrepreneurs -Liliana Barck and Gonzalo Rico- have just launched Outtrip.
It is
the first online platform
in Argentina and the region
that brings together travelers with suppliers of the necessary equipment for tourism in open spaces.
In the market there are physical businesses that are dedicated to the rental of this type of equipment, however the new startup is distinguished by concentrating all online offer and showing everything available in equipment for both
snow and water sports as well as for trekking and camping activities .
In its marketplace, the venture
connects rental shops and owners of
outdoor tourism
equipment
with travelers who want to live their experiences
without investing too
much in the right equipment or worrying about logistics.
“Buying quality outdoor equipment is expensive and taking it on trips is practically impossible.
On the other hand, the rental market for this type of equipment for outdoor activities is a sector that
historically operated with low digitization
and the absence of specific channels to publicize its offer ”, explains Liliana Barck.
From the platform they point out that associated stores have the advantage of reaching more exposure.
“In addition, it enables
online reservation
management
, which represents a benefit for end users.
They can find the entire offer in one place, compare prices and place their orders in advance ”, adds the CEO of the initiative.
The platform already has
more than 1,000 registered users who bought services for $ 2.5 million
.
The site has about a hundred associated stores, such as Jumping, in Ushuaia;
Patagonia Showroom, in San Carlos de Bariloche;
or other alternatives in Mendoza, Mar del Plata, Córdoba, Rosario, San Juan, Villa La Angostura and even the City of Buenos Aires.
The services cover some
25 kinds of outdoor activities
: from skiing and snowboarding to hiking, trekking and climbing, going through surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing and wing foil, paddling and kayaking, diving and snorkling, sailing, and wakeboarding, mountain biking, rollers, sandboard and rappel.
“
Being part of Outtrip is free.
Rental shops and owners of technical equipment and clothing only have to create their profiles and add their offer.
They don't have to pay to publish or to access the dashboard, entrepreneurs say.
The platform's business model consists
of charging a 20% commission for each transaction
made through the site ”, continues the entrepreneur.
After obtaining an angel investment round of US $ 50,000 and launching the platform,
Outtrip is preparing for a seed investment round of US $ 600,000
that will allow it to expand into new markets in Latin America, starting with Mexico.
YN
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