Enabling agents end-to-end tech services

Traveazy recently launched its B2B travel solutions that combine state-of-the-art technology with over a decade of experience in designing travel itineraries and packages to help travel agents. The launch will leverage the company’s robust infrastructure and extensive market presence to offer unparalleled service and value, claims Geet Bhalla, Founder & Group CEO, Traveazy.

TT Bureau

What are the latest products that you are working on at Traveazy?

During the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2024, we proudly unveiled our latest B2B travel solutions under the Holidayme brand. These solutions combine state-of-the-art technology with over a decade of experience in designing travel itineraries and packages. Guided by the three Cs—Content, Customization, and Creation—we enable travel agents to access global content, build and customize packages with real-time availability and pricing, and create their own branded online experience for customer acquisition. We are now partnering with travel companies and holiday startups to provide end-to-end Holiday-as-a-Service. As part of this offering, we collaborate with travel companies to develop, manage, and scale their holiday business through product creation, curation, and dynamic packaging. With access to over one million global hotels, 700,000 global attractions and sightseeing options, and airport transfers in over 150 countries—all on a single platform—we serve as the platform of choice for various organisations, including holiday startups, traditional TMCs, and destination management companies. We are also pleased to announce that our Umrah products and packages are now available through our B2B portal. Umrah agents can access these products and have completely customized and branded websites.

Are you also leveraging your Umrah pilgrimage experience in Holidayme?

Absolutely. Umrahme has served over one million pilgrims in the last six years. Our dynamic packaging capability allows users to customize packages to suit various preferences and budgets. We realised that there are lots of gaps in the B2B segment, where a big chunk of business still happens offline with inconsistent customer experience. We have now enabled our Umrah packages in Holidayme.com. Our B2B travel agents can now leverage on our strong online product and local ground presence to offer a delightful experience to their clients.

How do you help your B2B partners to increase business?

Our objective is to ensure that, by using our platform, travel agents can access unique and innovative products that can help them to build and grow their business and revenues. We offer competitive pricing models, wholesale rates, loyalty programs, and exclusive access to premium travel deals. Additionally, we provide marketing support and training to help our partners effectively utilise our platform and maximise their revenue potential.

Could you share details about Holidayme’s MeRewards?

MeRewards is the latest from our stable, it is a loyalty program that is designed to reward our B2B travel agents. Our travel partners can now earn MeRewards on every reservation that they make on the Holidayme platform. The points can be redeemed against an array of lifestyle, travel, shopping and dining vouchers. All our travel partners will be enrolled automatically in MeRewards when they enrol in Holidayme.com.

How do you see the growth in this region when it comes to travel, tourism, and hospitality?

The travel, tourism, and hospitality sector in this region is experiencing robust growth. Post-COVID, the UAE has established itself as one of the world’s most popular touristic destinations, attracting visitors year-round. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 has generated significant interest in the Kingdom as a tourism and business hub. Factors such as increasing disposable incomes and enhanced travel infrastructure are driving demand for
travel services.

Saudi Arabia leads the region’s fastest-growing travel market, achieving a remarkable 107 per cent increase in gross bookings in 2022 compared to the previous year. The Vision 2030 initiative, with an approximate US $800 billion investment in the tourism sector, the Red Sea Project, NEOM developments, and infrastructure improvements, are expected to attract millions of tourists. Eased visa requirements have further contributed to the influx of leisure tourists, making Saudi Arabia a promising destination.

The UAE also emerges as one of the most robust travel markets in the Middle East, with a 101 per cent year-on-year increase in travel and tourism activities in 2022. This growth is set to continue, with a forecasted 10 per cent increase in 2023. Government initiatives like the UAE Tourism Strategy and the well-developed airline sector further enhance its position as a travel hub.

Additionally, the hospitality sector is rapidly expanding, aiming to reach over 200,000 hotel rooms by 2030 to cater to the growing demand for luxury hotels.

Qatar experienced a notable recovery in its tourism sector in 2022, driven by the FIFA World Cup event, infrastructure expansion, and the popularity of Qatar as a leisure destination. The Qatar National Tourism Council is investing heavily in new hotels, attractions, and cultural experiences. Qatar Airways is expanding its global footprint to support tourism growth, aligning with the country’s vision of welcoming six to seven million visitors annually by 2030.

Egypt has shown improvement in its tourism sector since 2020. The depreciation of the Egyptian pound has made the country more affordable for travellers. Government efforts to promote Egypt as a safe and attractive destination have played a crucial role in this revival. Domestic tourism is on the rise, indicating a growing interest among locals to explore their own country. Egypt’s natural attractions cater to the growing trend of adventure tourism in the region, attracting a diverse range of visitors.

Digital transformation has played a crucial role in the Middle East’s travel and tourism industry. In 2022, the region experienced a 103 per cent increase in online booking values compared to the previous year. This growth is driven by tech-savvy travellers increasingly relying on digital platforms for their travel needs. The adoption of customer-facing tech solutions like AI chatbots and mobile apps has enhanced the overall user experience. Advanced online back-end systems by travel suppliers have streamlined operations and improved efficiency. By 2026, online bookings are expected to account for 50 per cent of total bookings in the UAE and KSA, reflecting the growing influence of digital technology on the industry.

At Traveazy Group, we are committed to leveraging these opportunities by offering cutting-edge solutions that cater to the dynamic needs of the market, thereby driving growth and success for our partners.