Question

In networked world dominated by the GAFAM (Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon and Microsoft) and BATX (Baidu, Alibaba, Tencent and Xiaomi) tech giants it is better for new tech start-ups to either plug-in, or partner with them instead of competing head-on or differentiating.Develop a viable, ethical, legal, and profitable E-commerce business idea for the Pakistani market that integrates and uses specific AI enabled technologies and VR / AR platforms offered by GAFAM and BATX by using either plug-in, or partner strategy.

subject E-commerce

Answer 1

Tourism is a sector within Pakistan that showcases a lot of potential, be it in terms of bringing in domestic or international visitors. Pakistan is rich in terms of heritage and history. It has a lot to offer in terms of beauty and scenery. But there are a lot of impediments that stays in the way. These impediments consists of political, economical, social and technological factors. However, with the availability of the technological capabilites that we have, it is possible to overcome all of these barriers.

Holiday-PK is such an idea that aims in promoting the tourism and hospitality industry in Pakistan. It aims in promoting stays, hotels, resorts, cultural centres, museums, sanctuaries and so on. A potential traveler from any country will be able to gain access to information regarding the hotels, resorts, cultural centres, shows and live event, tourist places and a lot more within the country. First hand information in the form of augmented reality and virtual reality enabled services will be available to the user. The services will be provided via the Holiday-PK app or Holiday-PK website.

Hotels,resorts as well as other destination can register with the app. The app will showcase the places to the user and the user can navigate through the website and identify the places, hotels or restaurants that he would like to visit or gain information on. He can book rooms in hotels or resorts or book events and shows as well.

Customers can gain access to the basic plan(the PK- Air) and the premium plan(PK Gold) that charges a fee of 5 USD per month and offers various features like AR visuals that enables the user to view various places and destinations in augmented reality as well as virtual reality. The basic plan will have certain AR features, but limited. The premium plan also enables the user to participate in contests and will have reward points based on the travels they have booked. There is also an annual plan of 39.99 USD which will help a user to save money on premium services. All the customers will be screened properly.

Hotels, inns, resorts and others can use the free service or utilize the premium services for a fee. The free services are available for small hotels exclusively only. This is to promote small stays and hotels, offering customers affordable options and at the same time offer customers affordable options as well. The premium services will offer extra benefits such as being featured in the recommended list, latest updates and discounted ads. All the parties will be screened as part of the registration process and will have to comply with various policies and terms of Holiday-PK.

Holiday-PK can expect to gain a lot of revenue in the form of online ads showcased in the web or the app. The more popular the app becomes, the more they can expect to earn. The business will be in partnership with google.  The platform, the AR/VR services and all other capabilities will be provided by google. Google will provide the technology, while the marketing ideas, operations and HR will be the domain of Holiday PK's. Investment will be joint. Due to PESTEL(Political, Economic,Social, Technological, Environment and Legal) factors, it will be a good strategy to let Holiday-PK manage the operations and marketing, while google can concentrate on the technology side of the business as well as the strategies. Holiday PK will have the knowledge of the Pakistani tourism industry and will be in touch with the local businesses, the do's and dont's in Pakistan and other business strategies. This expertise will be helpful in continuing the business forward.

The ultimate aim of the firm will be to provide top class travel recommendations and accomodations and help the client from the start to the end ,including addressing customer grievances and act according to it. This inlcude the best place, the affordable places and a variety of places to visit. The customer will be able to get a preview of the destination or the place of accomodation in the form of customized virtual reality and augmented reality experiences, including staff interaction.Even the basic plan users will get a taste of this experience.It will ensure that only the safest places are included in the list and the customers are well-screened to make sure that the holiday providers will not have anything to worry about as well. The app and website will be available worldwide.