Travelstart, the Cape Town-based online travel agency, has relaunched its internal travel consultancy, Travelbar, as Travelstart Live.
The OTA said in a statement with Travelstart Live the company would “focus on improving their expert ‘human’ service and being better equipped to assist customers who book complex routings, multi-city and multi-pax trips.”
The rebranded service will cater for bookings that are more complex than those with fewer segments, including group bookings, multiple stops, cruises and unique holiday packages.
Linda Balme, head of sales at Travelstart, said the rebrand from Travelbar to Travelstart Live was more than a name change.
Linda Balme:Travelstart a new channel to engage customers.
“It’s a significant shift internally and in how we want to communicate with our customers. Travelstart Live and its expert agents are now integrated with the website and apps rather than competing with digital channels as a standalone service.”
Travelstart will use analytics to automatically prompt customers to Travelstart Live where they will be offered expert support.
The OTA will also work with SafariNow.com to optimise its accommodation offering.
Balme added that Travelstart Live was a new channel to engage customers where its digital platforms did not fit their shopping behaviour,
“We recognise the importance of omnichannel in offering our customers the right platform depending on their comfort with technology and the type of trip they wish to book. In doing this, we are closing the gap that exists between human support and ecommerce and giving customers the freedom to interact with us on their terms.”
Customers can view a product online, and either complete their booking online or interact with experienced travel consultants via Travelstart Live to get more information, advice and book.
Currently there are 16 travel agents in Travelstart Live’s team. It is expanding to include a dedicated group bookings team.
• Featured image credit: michaeljung/iStock-Getty Images
