Booking.com is taking technology forward by going a little old school with its latest innovation, offering its consumers the ability to actually text their accommodation shortly after booking.
The travel website announced Wednesday its newest tool for prospective travelers, Booking Messages.
We’ve all become accustomed to touching base with loved ones through social media channels and myriad chat applications.
However, it’s nice to drop a line to a pal with the ease that comes with a text message. Sadly, it’s rather difficult to just text back and forth with a business, foregoing the time spent being placed on hold or getting to the right contact.
Booking.com has eliminated some of that stress with its new ability to text accommodation providers with “any kind of conversation they want with the property.”
Want to request an early check-in or a bigger bed, you can do so with what is being called a “chat-like interface.”
And if you are worried about language barriers, pre-translated templates are promised that help some of the most common queries.
David Vismans, Chief Product Officer at Booking.com, is understandably hopeful for the new technology.
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He offered thoughts on how this might help consumers immediately: “We know that 75 (percent) of our customers prefer self-service options to take care of simple requests. With the new Booking Messages interface, customers can literally customize and manage their trips in the palm of their hand. This technology takes away the worry of a busy front desk, different time zones, or friction of communication between people speaking different languages.”
While the company announced its messaging product this week, it will be some time before every last accommodation provider utilizes the tool.
Booking.com notes that a conclusion to its rollout will happen in “the coming months.” When it does, you will have even more reason to use the service across its mobile, web and app interfaces.
As we recently reported, Booking.com was rated as one of the best among consumers according to a study by ARC.
With an easy-to-use app that evolves with the demands of the market, its rating is perfectly understandable.