Travelstart, a leading online travel agency, has achieved a significant milestone by launching Africa’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI) travel assistant. This innovative AI assistant aims to cater to travellers’ needs across various countries and is designed for continuous training and improvement. It provides responses based on pre-programmed data and algorithms, enhancing the overall travel experience.
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Enhanced Capabilities and Accessibility
During the launch of its Nigeria airport store at the Murtala Muhammed Airport terminal 2 (MMA2) in Lagos, Alex Olafare, Head of Marketing at Travelstart, highlighted the capabilities of the AI travel assistant. Notably, this AI assistant can engage in conversations in Pidgin English, create personalised and custom travel itineraries, offer budget-friendly recommendations, and provide global travel advice.
Travellers can interact with the AI travel assistant by typing their inquiries and receiving immediate responses. Additionally, the AI travel assistant enables travellers to book flights directly, listing ticket prices transparently.
“The AI travel assistant can list prices of tickets for you, and everything will be transparent. No matter where you are, the AI travel assistant will always help with responses to inquiries,” assured Olafare.
Modupe Ola Thompson-Ehime, Head of Operations at Travelstart, emphasised the company’s commitment to innovation to meet travellers’ needs. She highlighted the introduction of technology that allows travellers to communicate with agents via WhatsApp. This WhatsApp channel offers an easily accessible, stress-free, and convenient way for travellers to interact with live agents.
Commitment to Nigeria and Customer Convenience
Bukky Akomolafe, Country Manager at Travelstart, expressed excitement about the launch of the travel store at MMA2, emphasising the company’s commitment and investment in Nigeria. This store serves as an additional touchpoint for customers to access Travelstart’s wide range of travel services, receive information, and obtain real-time assistance.
Akomolafe noted that Travelstart has leveraged local content and technological innovations to stay ahead in the travel industry, addressing challenges such as COVID-19 and foreign exchange fluctuations that impacted the sector in Nigeria and other parts of the world.
Kola Bamigboye, Head of Space & Premises at MMA2, expressed enthusiasm about Travelstart’s presence at the facility, pledging to partner with the company to enhance travellers’ experiences.
The event also featured Bankole Wellington, popularly known as Banky W, a Nigerian music executive, who commended Travelstart for its innovative approach in the travel sector. He praised the company for its dedication to steady innovation and progress.
Award-Winning Travel Agency In Nigeria
Travelstart has garnered recognition and accolades over the years, including the title of “2018 Online Travel Agency of the Year” and “2019 Travel Agency of the Year” at The Pyne awards. The company has also been honoured as the “Nigeria’s Leading Online Travel Agency” for two consecutive years (2021 and 2022) by the World Travel Awards.
As an African travel agency, Travelstart operates in 8 countries with offices in other core markets including Nigeria, Egypt and Dubai. With the Travelstart Group including SafariNow, NightsBridge, Club Travel and Flightsite, the company’s workforce consists of 170 staff spread across 8 cities, all passionate about making travel simple in Africa and the Middle East.
With a huge focus on affordable travel and simplifying the travel booking experience for our customers, visit our website or Flapp, the Travelstart app, to find some of the lowest fares around, pay quickly and safely online with your preferred payment method and you’re off!
As Travelstart continues to introduce innovative solutions and expand its accessibility, it aims to provide travellers with enhanced experiences and convenience in their journeys.
