The burgeoning online ticketing industry in Bangladesh has witnessed remarkable growth in recent years, offering hassle-free purchases at competitive prices without the need for physical visits to ticket counters. This convenience-driven trend has spurred the emergence of around twelve e-ticketing platforms, all vying to meet the escalating demand, particularly during peak travel seasons like Eid-ul-Fitr, when online ticket sales surge up to fourfold.
Motahar Hossain, a senior executive at Paribahan.com, highlights the key advantage of e-ticketing: the ability for customers to effortlessly purchase and even cancel tickets from any location at no extra cost. The availability of comprehensive information on transport options, fares, and schedules on their website further fuels the growing demand for such platforms.
Initially, when Paribahan.com commenced operations in 2002, the demand for online ticketing was modest. However, today, they witness a significant uptick, with daily ticket sales soaring from a mere 10-12 to 250-300 during regular periods and escalating to 600-700 in the days leading up to Eid.
The online ticketing landscape has evolved over the years, with the number of platforms increasing from two or three to a dozen, collectively facilitating approximately Tk 1,500 crore worth of ticket sales annually across buses, trains, and launches. Popular platforms like bdtickets.com, paribahan.com, and shohoz.com have become household names, collectively employing around 3,000 individuals.
Kazi M Hassan, CEO of r-ventures PLC, emphasizes the vast business potential within this segment, citing the growing shift towards online payments and the boost from government initiatives. Platforms like bdtickets.com, under r-ventures, have witnessed exponential growth since their inception in 2018, with monthly ticket sales skyrocketing from 3,000 to 60,000-70,000.
The impact of COVID-19 has been pivotal in accelerating the adoption of online ticketing, as people increasingly turned to digital solutions amidst movement restrictions. This shift in consumer behavior has instilled greater confidence in online transactions, further propelling sales for platforms like Shohoz, which now registers impressive daily ticket sales for both buses and trains.
Despite the remarkable progress, challenges persist, including lingering skepticism towards online transactions and occasional complaints. Nonetheless, industry players like Chokrojan are actively working to bolster trust and enhance the user experience.
For consumers like Monirul Alam, the transition to online ticketing has alleviated the stress associated with traditional ticket purchasing, offering a seamless and worry-free experience.
Reflecting on the industry’s trajectory, Farzana Faiza Bushra, PR Manager at GoZayaan, attributes the surge in e-ticketing demand to the increasing internet penetration and the convenience offered by digital platforms. This trend has only intensified over the years, with more individuals opting for the ease and efficiency of online booking.
AKM Mahfuzul Alam, Chief Sales Officer of ShareTrip, underscores the substantial growth in air ticket sales, indicative of the industry’s robust performance. With nearly 400,000 tickets sold in the last fiscal year alone, ShareTrip continues to thrive, capitalizing on the evolving preferences of consumers in Bangladesh’s dynamic market.
