Travelstart Creates First AI Assistance for Africa

Chinedu Eze

Travelstart has created the first Artificial Intelligence (AI) travel assistant in Africa to meet travellers’ needs across Africa.

The Artificial Intelligence assistant system was introduced when Travelstart opened its Nigeria airport store at the state-of-the-art domestic terminal, Murtala Muhammed Airport 2 (MMA2), Lagos, to deepen its reach in Nigeria.

Speaking during the launch of the store, Head of Marketing, Travelstart, Alex Olafare, said the AI travel assistant can chat in Pidgin English, can create personalized and custom itineraries, make budget-friendly recommendations, and give global travel advice. 

Olafare said travellers can type whatever they need and will receive a response immediately, adding that flights can be booked directly from the AI travel assistant. 

“The AI travel assistant can list prices of tickets for you and everything will be transparent. No matter where you are, the AI travel assistant will always help with responses to inquiries,” he said. 

Head of Operations, Travelstart, Modupe Ola Thompson-Ehime said, “Travelstart has continued to introduce innovation to meet the needs of travellers. One of such innovations is the technology that helps travellers speak with an agent on WhatsApp.”

She said the WhatsApp channel is an easily accessible, stress free and convenient way to speak with a live agent.  You can chat with Lucy, your automated travel assistant, make a new booking and view deals for the day through this channel/”

Country Manager, Travelstart said, Bukky Akomolafe, in her introductory speech said, “The launching of the travel store at the MMA2 is an exciting one for the company as it shows the company’s commitment and investment in Nigeria.”

Akomolafe said the store is another touch point where customers can access Travelstart. 

She said the store at MMA2 is a perfect convenient location where travellers can access a wide range of travel services, receive information and get real time assistance. 

She said the company has leveraged local content and technology innovations to stay ahead and cushion effects of COVID-19 and foreign exchange challenges which threatened the travel sector in Nigeria and other parts of the world. 

Head of Space & Premises, MMA2, Kola Bamigboye said “MMA2 is excited to have Travelstart at its facility and assured that it would partner with the company to ensure travellers get the best travel experience.”