previous icon Back to blog
Jun 04, 2019
4 minutes read

How to use the WhatsApp Business solution in Travel & Hospitality

In this series of sector related tips for the WhatsApp Business API, we’re diving into the possibilities of WhatsApp for the Travel & Hospitality sector. How can you benefit from the WhatsApp Business solution in terms of reducing pressure on customer care while optimizing the customer journey?

Repeatedly answering similar questions can be quite a time-consuming hassle. In the travel & hospitality sector, it isn’t hard to image how standardized messages can reduce pressure on customer care. Wouldn’t it be easier if questions were answered before they’re asked, with proactive notifications on for example boarding gates, arrival times or the beginning of events? The WhatsApp Business API has a way to make things a bit easier on your customer care center. How? With message Templates.

What are Message Templates you ask? Message Templates are pre-approved messages that can be sent in both inbound and outbound communication with your customers. These messages can be used to send notifications to those customers with an active opt-in in for WhatsApp notifications. To personalise the message, you can use the numbered placeholders {x}. Each of those placeholders can be filled with letters, digits, special characters and spaces. This is best explained with an example. I will give some examples on how these Message Templates can be used to optimize customer care in the Travel & Hospitality sector.

Customer inquiries: Assist customers with questions regarding seat selection, cabin upgrades, payment or billing, itinerary changes, reward points or product service inquiries. Customers may come to you with these questions. In case the core of the answer is typically the same, creating Message Templates with customizable fields may reduce pressure on your customer care team. However, proactively informing your customers on important changes, will even ensure a pleasant customer journey (literally and figuratively) without the need to ask a question.

Hi {1}, you’re flight to {2} will leave at {3}. There was a gate change. Please make sure you’re at gate {4} 30 minutes before departure. Have a great flight!

Customer resolution: Or how about when a problem occurs? You’ll want that issue solved as soon as possible, so your customer won’t have any complaints to share with his friends. So if a ticket is changed, or a cancellation occurs, do make sure you inform your customer yourself, and don’t let him find out when it’s too late.

Hi {1}, we’re very sorry to inform you your flight has been cancelled due to the storm. Please report to desk {2} to get your tickets changed, or reply to this message for help. Use this map to find desk {2}.

Travel updates: There’s more to notifying your customers on travel updates than just flight cancellations. Are you organizing an event, but is there road construction? Why not inform your visitors beforehand, so they know to take an alternative route and leave on time, so they won’t be late? Information on gate openings, check-in information, passport requirements or other recurring customer requests can easily be shared via Message Templates. How’s that for a care free journey?

Hi {1}, you’ve got a flight planned tomorrow. Airliner {2} recently changed its hand luggage regulations. Please make sure you have max. 1 piece of luggage. Handbags/camera bags etc. should fit in your one piece hand luggage. Find more information on luggage regulations here {3}.

Purchase information: WhatsApp is also a valuable tool to share purchase information. For example to share boarding passes, information on hotel bookings, or directions. Were extra services ordered, for example transfer to the hotel, or a room upgrade? Or did the customer request information about an artist performing at your event? Why not let him know when his performance is about to start? Whatever your business is, make sure the customer can find all needed information for a care free experience.

These were just a few of the many examples of how you can use the WhatsApp Business API Message Templates to actively inform customers for an improved customer experience. WhatsApp and your WhatsApp Business API distributor may provide you with Message Templates, or you can request your own. Approval of Message Templates is done by WhatsApp and your Authorized Distributor for the WhatsApp Business solution.

Important to note is that for outbound use of these Templates, you will need an active opt-in from your customer to receive specified information. Otherwise, they may be used only in the customer care window, initiated by the customer. If the customer has any questions after receiving your notifications, he can ask for more information by simply replying to your message, opening up such a customer care window in which you can communicate freely. So besides using Message Templates, of course you can also have a spontaneous chat, where you can type your messages with rich media in response to a customer initiated conversation.

Get started with WhatsApp Business

Are you ready to take your customer care to a higher level? Request a WhatsApp Business account today and find out the many other possibilities it holds for your business. Get started with WhatsApp now. Request your account now!

Get started with WhatsApp and request your account today!

Was this article interesting?
Share it!
CM.com
connects tens of thousands of companies with millions of consumers via their mobile phone each day. Behind the scenes, from our innovative platform, CM.com makes sure companies can use these millions of messages, phone calls and payments to become part of people’s lives.

Latest Articles

whatsapp-business-blog_image-deals-offers
Sep 11, 2024 • WhatsApp

Increase Conversion With Promotional Messages on WhatsApp

In an age of mass marketing, as well as constant TV, internet and email advertising, it’s safe to say that peak sales periods like Black Friday and the Holiday Season can be something of an overwhelming experience for consumers around the world. Feeling overwhelmed by irrelevant information from companies that doesn't match their personal needs and desires, it's no surprise people might want to switch off their phones, radios, and televisions, tuning out all forms of marketing until the sales peak season is over. As an eCommerce player, you should always be looking to avoid this by diversifying and personalizing your marketing strategy in a way that suits your customers needs and sensibilities.

WhatsApp RCS
Jul 22, 2024 • RCS

RCS vs WhatsApp: Which is Best for Your Business?

RCS Business Messaging and WhatsApp Business Messaging are both notable channels for businesses that strive for a personal and conversational approach to customer communication. But what features do both channels have? What sets them apart? And more importantly - which channel is most suitable for your business? Let's find out!

WhatsApp Pay
Jun 05, 2024 • WhatsApp

How to get the WhatsApp Business Green Tick Badge

The WhatsApp Business green tick is the official badge for Meta verified business accounts. It helps users to distinguish between authentic businesses and fake accounts. Many users place high value on the green tick, and brands sporting this badge will see a positive impact on their business. But how can you business apply for the green tick badge? Read all about it below.

engage-platform-effect-customer-service
Apr 22, 2024 • CM.com

Happy Clients, Happy Agents: the Platform Effect in Customer Service

As a member of the customer service team, you stand on the front lines of customer interaction every day. In a world where customers demand quick and personalized service, long wait times, impersonal responses, or worse, incorrect answers, can quickly drive a customer away. Your goal, however, is to connect customers with your organization and deliver the best answers and service possible. It’s incredibly satisfying to see a customer leave a conversation happier and eager to purchase your product. Your efforts can significantly enhance the customer experience, but you need the right tools to truly excel. Integrating these tools into a platform amplifies your capabilities and lets you experience the power of the platform effect.

WhatsApp New Policy
Apr 15, 2024 • WhatsApp

Quality Customer Engagement With WhatsApp Business Platform

We all want to get our brand messages out there. We want to engage with our customers, raise brand awareness, and connect with our target audience. WhatsApp Business Platform helps you safeguard the way you communicate with (potential) customers, making sure that you provide them with a meaningful and relevant customer experience to help grow your business.

whatsapp-business-telecom
Apr 04, 2024 • WhatsApp

10 Ways to Optimize the Customer Experience With WhatsApp Business

WhatsApp is one of the dominating apps in the messaging landscape, securing its position as the top messaging channel. According to Statista, WhatsApp stood out as the messaging app with the most active monthly users in 2022.

drive-engagement-and-convert-your-conversations-with-whatsapp-carousel
Feb 01, 2024 • WhatsApp

Drive Engagement and Convert Your Conversations With WhatsApp Carousel

Are you already talking to your customers on WhatsApp? You really should! WhatsApp Business Platform, the business communication platform of one of the most popular messaging channels in the world today, has a wide selection of powerful engagement tools to enhance customer communication and boost sales. And they've added another innovative feature under their belt: WhatsApp Carousel.

WhatsApp vs Facebook Messenger
Jan 17, 2024 • Instant Messaging

WhatsApp vs Facebook Messenger: Which Messaging Channel is Best for What?

WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger are both established messaging channels for customer engagement. But what are the differences? Which advantages does each channel have for what business use case? Let's dive into the details

Ads That Click to WhatsApp
Jan 17, 2024 • Marketing

Ads That Click to WhatsApp: What Are They and What Are the Benefits?

Successful marketing means creating personal and conversational experiences for your customers. And what better place to meaningfully connect to your customers than on their favorite social media platforms and channels such as Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp? With ads that click to WhatsApp, aka click-to-chat WhatsApp ads, you can offer your customers the direct and personal engagement that they crave. Read all about it!

Is this region a better fit for you?
Go
close icon