FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
General
How is Ratiba different from Tourwriter or Wetu?
Tourwriter and Wetu are built for the global tour-operator market. They are powerful but generic.
Ratiba is purpose-built for safari operators. The data model knows about parks, residency categories, season bands, meal plans, and game-drive vehicles. Setup is faster, the UI is tighter, and the AI assistant only suggests content from your own library.
If you sell European tours, Tourwriter is probably a better fit. If you sell East or Southern African safaris, Ratiba is.
Do I need to be technical to use Ratiba?
No. Ratiba is a SaaS product with a normal web UI. No setup, no install, no code. Most operators are running within an hour of signup.
Can I import my existing rate cards?
Yes. Paste tab-separated tables (from Excel or Google Sheets) directly into each rate-card grid. For larger imports, contact support and we'll help migrate.
What languages do you support?
The app UI is in English. Proposals can be sent in any language — you write the descriptions in your language of choice, and Ratiba just renders them.
We plan to add UI localization for French and Spanish in 2027.
Pricing and rates
Can I sell on a net basis (no markup)?
Yes. Set the workspace default markup to 0. The selling price will equal the supplier cost. Track commission separately under each accommodation.
How do I handle a one-off discount from a lodge?
Either:
- Override the unit cost on the relevant line in the pricing tab (sticky to that trip).
- Add a "custom discount" line with a negative cost.
Don't change the rate card if it's a one-off.
How do I handle agent commissions?
If you sell through an agent who takes commission off your selling price:
- Mark the agent as a client of type "Agent" in Clients.
- Set their commission percent on their record.
- On the proposal, the inclusions list will note "Agent commission included" if you enable it.
Internally, Ratiba records both gross (what the client pays) and net (what you receive).
Can I quote in multiple currencies for the same client?
The trip has one currency, but rate cards can mix. The pricing engine converts internally. Use the Per-person breakdown option on the proposal to show both supplier and client currencies if needed.
Proposals
Can clients accept proposals without creating an account?
Yes. The accept button is one-click on the public proposal page. No signup, no login.
Can I edit a proposal after sending?
Yes, but the changes won't be visible to the client until you click Republish. This prevents accidental "the price just changed" surprises.
What happens if a client never responds?
The proposal stays published. You can set up follow-up reminders or set an expiry date so the proposal expires after, say, 14 days. Expired proposals show a polite message and prompt the client to request an updated quote.
Can I see who's viewed a proposal?
Yes. The itinerary's activity timeline records every view, comment, and acceptance with timestamps and rough device info.
Team
Can multiple people edit the same trip at once?
Yes. Ratiba is real-time. You'll see live edits from your teammates and cell-level presence markers.
Can I require approval before sending?
Yes. Enable the approval workflow in Settings → Workflow.
How do I hand off a trip to a teammate?
Reassign it. From the itinerary header, click the assignee chip and pick the new owner.
Data and security
Where is my data stored?
EU (Frankfurt) by default. Enterprise customers can request other regions.
Can I export my data?
Yes. Each rate card exports to CSV. Each itinerary exports to PDF. The full workspace can be exported via the API.
What happens if I cancel?
Your data stays for 90 days, then is permanently deleted. Export everything before the 90 days are up.
Is Ratiba GDPR compliant?
Yes. We have a DPA available on request. Email privacy@ratiba.io.
Support
How do I get help?
- In-app help button (lower right).
- Email support@ratiba.io.
- Book a setup call from the help menu.
What hours is support available?
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm East Africa Time (UTC+3). Critical issues outside hours go to a paging rotation. We aim to respond within 4 business hours.
Do you offer onboarding help?
Yes. Pro and Team plans include a free 30-minute onboarding call. Enterprise plans include a dedicated implementation manager.