RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA: Almosafer, the leading omni-channel travel brand in Saudi Arabia, has announced the general availability of its WhatsApp channel for travellers. Powered by global conversational solutions provider LivePerson, Almosafer’s launch on WhatsApp offers customers fast, simple and convenient access to end-to-end travel support via the popular messaging platform.
Since its app launch in 2009, WhatsApp has quickly become one of the most popular secure messaging services in the Middle East. In 2019, it was reported that 72%[1] (more than 24 million people) of the population in Saudi Arabia regularly used the messaging platform.
Opening its WhatsApp channel to travellers across the region is a critical step in Almosafer’s continuing expansion and transformation from an online travel agency to an omnichannel service provider. In addition to the new WhatsApp channel, the company offers seamless travel services through retail locations across the Kingdom, call centres, and Almosafer’s state-of-the-art booking site and app.
With approximately 2200 conversations happening between customers and Almosafer’s travel agents on the platform each day, Customers can opt in to WhatsApp conversations with travel advisors to get answers to all their enquiries and have any requests fulfilled without having to make a call. From pre-booking enquiries including bookings and consultations, to travel advice during their trips and post-booking support, WhatsApp has become an integral channel that serves travellers across the entire user journey. This streamlined and consistent level of customer service is a key pillar of Almosafer’s omni-channel approach.
Muzzammil Ahussain, EVP Almosafer, said: “WhatsApp has become an instrumental communication tool in the Middle East, with more than 24 million[2] people using the app in Saudi Arabia alone. Almosafer’s new WhatsApp channel allows us to continue to innovate and stay up-to-date with customer demands, giving travellers a secure and familiar way to communicate with ease with our trained professionals regarding their trip, wherever they are in the world. In-line with our omni-channel strategy, it is imperative for us to be connected to our travellers on platforms they are engaging with and serving them on WhatsApp will help us in connecting their user journey, regardless of whether they booked through the channel itself, via app or web, in one of our retail branches or through our call centres.”
Almosafer’s WhatsApp experience is powered by LivePerson’s conversational platform, which connects brands to the world’s most popular messaging channels and orchestrates how AI and human agents serve customers at scale. Compared to traditional phone calls, brands using LivePerson’s platform to hold messaging conversations with their customers see 20% increases in customer satisfaction, 2x agent efficiency, and 50% decreases in agent attrition rates.
Almosafer’s decision to work with LivePerson came after evaluating +10 different solution providers against a set of criteria that included real-time reporting and analytics, easy system integration, pro-active messaging capabilities and in-depth experience around virtual assistants.
Implementing the WhatsApp Business solution turns Almosafer's existing presence on WhatsApp into a fully scaled and efficient operation, including access to analytics and virtual assistants that enhance the customer experience and drive improved business results
With plans to innovate further via this channel in the coming months, Almosafer is planning to work closely with LivePerson to integrate reservation and booking retrieval virtual assistants, as well as booking confirmation capabilities through the communication channel. Real-time booking updates, booking reviews and an FAQ virtual assistant are also part of the 12-month roll-out plan.
-Ends-
About Almosafer:
Almosafer is the flagship brand of Seera Group’s Consumer Travel Business Unit, catering to the discerned needs of travellers from Saudi Arabia and beyond. Originated in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Almosafer is transforming from an online travel agency for Saudi customers, to a fully-fledged omni-channel travel services provider that offers a seamless user experience for travel bookings across state-of-the-art online platforms, call centres and retail locations.
Providing hotel booking options for over 1.5 million properties around the globe, flight bookings on over 450 airlines and complete holiday packages, Almosafer boasts various convenient booking solutions for any type of travel need.
With the heritage of being a homegrown business fueled by Seera Group’s travel and tourism leadership in Saudi Arabia, the brand has developed a deep understanding of local travel needs, preferences and traveller segments.
Almosafer is constantly striving to bring travellers from the Kingdom and beyond the best experience and value for their travels and with continuous product developments, tech improvements and customer centricity at its core, the brand aims to deliver on what is important to its customer - creating journeys of joy for themselves, their families and others.
About LivePerson:
LivePerson makes life easier by transforming how people communicate with brands. Our 18,000 customers use our conversational commerce solutions to orchestrate humans and AI, at scale, and create a convenient, deeply personal relationship — a conversational relationship — with their millions of consumers. For more information about LivePerson (NASDAQ: LPSN), please visit www.liveperson.com .
For more information and media inquiries, please contact:
Mohini Parmar | Raya Chamoun
ASDA'A BCW
+971 4 450 7600
mohini.parmar@bcw-global.com | Raya.chamoun@bcw-global.com
[1] https://datareportal.com/reports/digital-2019-saudi-arabia
[2] 72% of population figures provided by the World Bank – https://data.worldbank.org/country/saudi-arabia
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