Mastering the Art of Short-Form Video Content
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The travel industry is getting a digital makeover, and travel chatbots are leading the change. These smart chatbots are making a big difference in how customers plan their travels and how travel companies operate.
Travel doesn’t adhere to a 9-to-5 schedule, and neither do chatbots. They serve as on-demand travel guides, meaning they can talk to customers anytime, anywhere, solve tricky travel problems before they become a headache, and switch them over to a human helper if needed.
Chatbots can serve as potent revenue generators in many ways. They can easily boost your customer engagement to 100%, assist customers effortlessly to search for flights and accommodations, provide cost-effective travel suggestions, endorse deals tailored to their unique travel habits, and provide payment gateways to close the sales. This strategic use of chatbots has propelled the travel sector into the top five industries reaping significant benefits from chatbot technology!
Big names in travel, like Expedia, Booking.com, and Skyscanner, are already using these chatbots. They help book trips, recommend places, and offer special deals. This shows smaller travel companies that chatbots could be a great way to make their customers happier!
In this article, let’s dive deeper into what chatbots are capable of doing:
1. Search for booking opportunities
Chatbots are accessible through various messaging platforms like WhatsApp, Slack, and Facebook Messenger. Here, travellers can input information about their destination, dates of travel, and other preferences (like needing non-smoking rooms or wanting all-inclusive options). The chatbot uses this data to sift through choices and presents them during the conversation.
Additionally, chatbots can interact by asking clarifying questions to refine the search results further. These questions might include queries about the budget, the number of travellers, or if the travel dates are flexible.
Take Expedia’s chatbot on Facebook Messenger as an example. It allows users to explore worldwide hotel options and check for available accommodations for their desired travel period.
2. Manage inquiries
Prior to settling on their travel itinerary, users commonly have queries regarding travel insurance, entry necessities, potential toll charges, and more. Chatbots are equipped to respond to these frequently asked questions, providing answers instantly without requiring the engagement of a customer service representative.
Accurate and prompt information is particularly vital in situations like the imposition of new visa regulations or sudden changes in travel policies, experiences similar to the fluctuating travel conditions witnessed during major events or political changes. These scenarios necessitate keeping travellers informed with the most up-to-date information.
3. Finalising reservations
Once users have made their travel choices, such as selecting a flight or a hotel, the chatbot can prompt for essential information such as personal details, ID or passport numbers, and the count of accompanying minors.
The chatbot not only collects this information, but it also facilitates a secure payment platform for customers to pay for their bookings. Upon successful payment, it confirms the reservations and delivers an electronic itinerary through email or a preferred messaging platform.
4. Cross-sell
AI-driven chatbots, with their deep understanding of user preferences, can generate additional cross-selling opportunities. They do this by recommending complementary offerings such as combined flight and hotel deals, vehicle hire services, or special rates on local tours and activities. Furthermore, these chatbots can suggest and provide vouchers for eateries or coffee shops that have partnerships with the travel agency.
This isn’t just great for the company; it’s awesome for travellers too. For instance, not everyone knows about all the awesome spots to check out when they go somewhere new. Like, if you’re heading to a retreat in Kuala Selangor, the chatbot might tip you off about the beautiful firefly parks located in that area, so you don’t miss out on a magical experience.
5. Manage booking & cancellations
Users can engage with a chatbot to organise different aspects of their booking, such as:
- Requesting wheelchair services.
- Modifying check-in dates.
- Selecting seating on flights.
- Completing online check-ins.
Chatbots also have the capability to assist with booking cancellations without requiring the intervention of a live agent. The chatbot would need to gather the customer’s details and reservation identifiers or Passenger Name Record (PNR). It can then proceed to cancel the existing reservations, suggest alternatives for cancelled flights or hotels, explain the firm’s refund and returns policy, and even initiate refund claims on behalf of the user.
6. Handling luggage queries
Thanks to real-time access to data from departure locations or airports, chatbots can help travellers navigate on arrival. Travellers can enquire to the chatbots about the location of the luggage claim area or on which carousel their bags will arrive.
Additionally, in situations of misplaced luggage, chatbots can assist by lodging a baggage claim using information from the user’s ticket and Passenger Name Record (PNR).
7. Garnering customer feedback
Chatbots provide a conversational, unobtrusive method to collect customer views and responses to surveys. Following a completed booking or service, the chatbot can engage with users, posing questions about their experiences. It could ask, for example, “On a scale from 1-10, how would you rate your satisfaction with our travel agency’s services?” or “Would you recommend our agency to a peer?” It might also invite them to leave comments about potential improvements to the services.
Empowering Your Travel Business with AdFortless
Now, it’s time to embrace the transformative potential of AdFortless’s WhatsApp chatbots and elevate your travel agency to new heights of customer engagement and sales prowess. By capturing inquiries and providing instant, bot-driven responses, we efficiently turn inquiries into bookings.
Our strategy includes re-engaging with those prospects, delivering personalised travel suggestions on WhatsApp to amplify conversion rates. As cold prospects warm up, we utilise timely, customised package promotions and seasonal deals to nudge them toward booking. Throughout the traveller’s journey, continuous engagement via WhatsApp ensures they are well-informed with the latest itineraries and booking updates.
With AdFortless, your agency is not just offering travel planning services—it’s offering connected, seamless experiences that breed loyalty and growth.
YOU focus on creating unforgettable travel experiences,
WE handle complex marketing communication to boost more sales.
