Looking beyond traditional backpacking and mainstream commercial tourism, 'Loka' (pronounced low-kah, which means World in sanskrit), is the world's first 'Flexible Travel Collective' and aims to become the World's Greatest Travel Organisation.
Geddes explains: “The way people travel has changed significantly over the past 10 years. The premise on which the current backpacker travel networks are based is that travellers have a lot of time, a fair bit of money and no particular plans; just simply isn't the case anymore. This doesn't mean that 'flexible' travel options still aren't the best way for people to experience a destination - just that we have to rethink them. Luckily technology allows us to do this.”
“Rather than concentrate on the 'getting around' component (which is what's currently offered), we are focusing on what really excites people about travel - authentic local experiences. We will help people have encounters that will really blow them away, experiences that rarely feature on Trip Advisor and can't be booked through Expedia as they aren't 'made for tourists' and usually don't exist in a bookable form,” added Geddes.
Loka will offer guided, flexible pass options over diverse travel routes incorporating attractions on and off the beaten track; using a combination of Loka's own mini coaches and public transport. Roberts has designed a bespoke technology platform that allows Loka customers to find, book, link, share, rate and review the things that they want to get involved in, from made-for-visitors attractions to local community projects.
Loka is a social enterprise, which has 'travel with meaning' as its primary mission. Its unique trip flexibility and methods of sourcing trip content allow Loka to bring benefits to both the communities their trips visit and the traveller.
Based on the premises that the best travel experiences are authentic local ones but that they need to be sustainable in the long-term; Loka works with local communities to make them ready to receive visitors and maximise the benefits to all, directly from their interaction with travellers.
Loka's founders, Dan and Neil believe they have exactly the right experience and skillsets to make it a global success with Dan having many years at the forefront of tourism technology and Neil, being the global founder and thought-leader of flexible itinerary touring.
Geddes says, “All our previous experience* from Kiwi Experience, Oz Experience and the Stray Travel Networks has led to this moment; we have the technology, the knowhow and the passion to make this the World's Greatest Travel Organisation.“
Roberts explains. “Our philosophy at Loka is that we can make a real difference – more information and flexible travel options will give people experiences that are so eye opening that they think about the environment, their place in the global economy, their impact on future generations, all while having a mind-blowing time.”
Loka will provide:
• Freedom - To change your plans as you discover new experiences along the way.
• Guidance - Get the most out of your travels through local guides and Loka's groundbreaking technology.
• Adventure - Activities and stops that will blow your mind.
• Social - Book and rate activities and accommodation; add and share your own ideas; be part of a traveller community (on and offline).
• Collective - We work with local operators and communities to create sustainable, authentic experiences with positive change for all.
In Australia Loka is teaming up with a group of the most experienced operators in the Country as well as rural, local and indigenous communities to produce a range of mind-blowing experiences for travellers. They have also partnered with global hop-on hop-off travel company 'Bamba Experience' to operate Bamba's Australian product and offer clients a two tiered product of guided, full service on Loka and unguided, flexibility on Bamba.
Operations will commence in Australia in November and the US and Europe in 2015. Routes in South East Asia and South America will also be developed in subsequent years.
The company's website www.loka.travel will launch in August 2014. Follow us on our blog worldsgreatesttravel.org for updates
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