Garnest Booking Platform Plans Massive Expansion in Egypt, Targets Gulf Markets by 2027
Garnest, a platform specializing in tourism accommodation bookings, plans to accelerate its expansion in the Egyptian market in the coming period. This follows a successful launch that saw its user base surpass 5,000 customers within the first two months, coinciding with the listing of over 500 accommodation units on the platform.
Ahmed Fazara, Founder of Garnest, stated that the platform aims to grow its customer base to roughly 100,000 users and increase the number of listed properties to 10,000 units. This aligns with its strategy to expand within the tourism accommodation market and solidify its presence across various Egyptian destinations.
Covering Governorates and Tourist Destinations
Fazara explained that Garnest currently operates across Egyptian governorates and tourist hotspots, allowing users to search and book accommodations based on the specific landmark or destination they wish to visit, rather than restricting searches to a city or region name.
He pointed out that the platform features a diverse range of accommodations, including chalets, summer rentals, hotel apartments, standard apartments, private rooms, and tourist homes. Each listing provides detailed information, including prices, amenities, and availability dates.
Fazara highlighted that Garnest’s business model enables users to start their search journey from the specific tourist attraction or landmark they plan to visit, then browse available accommodations nearby. This approach simplifies trip planning by seamlessly linking the choice of stay with the target destination.
Targeting Inbound Tourists
Alongside local customers, the platform is actively targeting inbound tourists arriving in Egypt by allowing them to pre-book stays near the landmarks and tourist sites they intend to visit, Fazara added.
He revealed that Garnest is also working to broaden the scope of services available on the platform to include various travel-related activities, such as photography sessions, guided tours, tour guides, and transportation services.
Furthermore, the platform intends to integrate an interactive map to help users discover accommodations, tourist attractions, and services close to their destination, delivering a more comprehensive trip-planning and booking experience.
Services for Property Owners and Managers
On the service provider side, Fazara explained that the platform allows property owners and managers to list their units, upload photos, and update details, pricing, amenities, and availability. This empowers them to reach potential guests searching for stays, whether from the domestic market or international tourists.
Gulf Expansion by 2027
Fazara indicated that the company aims to expand into Gulf markets by 2027, following the consolidation of its footprint in the Egyptian market and the growth of its customer, property, and service provider base.
He explained that the expansion plan seeks to replicate the Garnest model in new regional markets, building on the platform's successful track record in Egypt, which began by covering various governorates and tourist destinations.
The launch of Garnest is the latest milestone in Fazara’s entrepreneurial journey. He previously founded and worked on projects within the retail and HealthTech sectors, backed by nearly a decade of experience in business development, partnership building, and leading growth initiatives.
The platform is betting on a model that merges accommodation booking with destination discovery and related tourism services, targeting a base of 100,000 customers and 10,000 accommodation units before pivoting to its Gulf expansion phase.