As Kenya’s festive travel season winds down, Novaplus, the country’s emerging e-commerce and digital discovery platform, is closing the year on a high, posting strong performance indicators that underline its growing appeal among tourists, diaspora visitors, and international travellers.
Launched in December 2024 at the peak of one of the busiest travel periods of the year, Novaplus entered the market during a season that typically records a 30–40 per cent increase in travel activity. Throughout the holidays, the platform played a pivotal role in helping visitors confidently discover verified accommodation, transport, dining, shopping, and lifestyle experiences across Kenya.
Internal platform data shows that Novaplus recorded a 45 per cent surge in searches from tourists and international travellers during the festive period. Accommodation, mobility, dining, and events emerged as the most engaged categories. International users and diaspora travellers accounted for approximately 35 per cent of total platform traffic, highlighting Novaplus’s growing importance in both pre-arrival planning and in-destination discovery.
Trust and safety proved to be key differentiators during the high-traffic season. As concerns around digital fraud continue to shape consumer behaviour, travellers increasingly gravitated toward platforms that offer credibility and protection. With over 62 per cent of Kenyan online users citing fraud as a major barrier to completing online transactions, and recent research indicating that 82 per cent of Kenyans were targeted by digital scams in 2024, the demand for secure digital environments has never been higher.
Against this backdrop, Novaplus stood out through its strict business verification framework, ensuring that every listed business met clear identity and credibility standards. This approach significantly reduced risk for travellers navigating accommodation, mobility, and lifestyle services—sectors often targeted by fraudulent listings during peak travel periods.
During the festive season, Novaplus hosted and promoted hundreds of verified businesses, ranging from internationally recognised brands such as Bolt, Mövenpick Hotels & Residences, Pax Manor, Best Western Plus, and Hyatt Regency, to trusted local enterprises and destination hubs including Prestige Plaza. Listings featuring global brands recorded up to 50 per cent higher engagement, while verified local businesses saw a 30 per cent increase in visibility and customer inquiries, demonstrating measurable commercial impact.
“Festive travel puts trust to the test,” said Bashir Mohammed, Chief Executive Officer of Novaplus. “As the season comes to an end, what stands out is how strongly travellers responded to a platform built on verification and reliability. People want peace of mind when navigating new destinations, and our performance confirms that secure digital discovery is no longer optional—it’s essential.”
Industry trends show that more than 70 per cent of travellers research accommodation and transport online before travelling, a behaviour that was clearly reflected in Novaplus’s usage patterns during the holidays. By offering a single, trusted platform that blends global brands with high-quality local businesses, Novaplus contributed to smoother travel experiences while supporting enterprises during one of the most competitive periods of the year.
Verified businesses on the platform benefited from up to 40 per cent higher discovery rates during the festive peak, strengthening their visibility and competitiveness when traveller attention is most concentrated. This performance positions Novaplus not only as a discovery platform, but also as a growth partner within Kenya’s tourism, hospitality, and lifestyle ecosystem.
As the festive season concludes, Novaplus enters the new year with strong momentum, actionable insights, and a proven model for secure digital discovery. Its holiday performance underscores the platform’s growing influence in shaping smarter travel decisions, boosting visitor confidence, and setting a higher standard for trust in Kenya’s evolving e-commerce and tourism landscape.