Get connected with Travel Messenger

Travel Messenger™, the latest breakthrough in travel information technology designed for international travellers enables travel agents to provide up-to-the-minute personalised service delivered to customers’ mobile phones via proven SMS technology.

Agents also have an opportunity to enhance their current offerings and develop client loyalty for repeat bookings and commissions.

The service can be fully personalised to the requirements of a specific travel operator or agency providing all the travel information, tips and advice that travellers could require as soon as they need in 200 countries and 3000 cities around the globe.

Travel Messenger™ is simple to set up as it is directly integrated with the major GDSs and agents need only a one-line queue PNR command in GDS to place an order.

Travel Messenger™ travel information technology has been developed by a Melbourne based company; Loop9 Pty Ltd over the last two years, with Loop9’s board including Steve Hibbard, Former CEO Lonely Planet and Bill Gair, Founder and ex-CEO of Travel.com.au.

“Roll out to the stores is achieving an 85% sign up rate which is far beyond our expectations.”

“This clearly shows that agents know that they have to enhance their relationships using the latest tools to stay ahead in this competitive market,” says Mark McCormack Managing Director, Loop9.

“Travel Messenger™ provides a great value–add for our clients and it’s an effective and efficient way of offering that personal touch to clients all with the touch of a button.”   “Important messages that show we care are sent for us long after our consultants have finished for the day,” says Nathan Darke – Manager – Andrew Jones Travel.

Karsten Horne Managing Director Reho Travel has introduced the product also to their corporate travellers, saying, “Our corporate clients are loving Travel Messenger™.”  “For the traveller, useful information comes to hand just when they need it and back at head office they can relax knowing that their executive on the road is being informed of any security risks.”  “A great differentiator for us.”

Travel agents can make the service available for their clients once an overseas flight has been booked and generate commission and loyalty rewards and for every sale an agent will earn 300 Club Boomerang points and for every 10 sales they receive an entry into an annual prize draw to win a Citroën.

The service is available wholesale for $21.95. (RRP $25.95 – $35.95) per client and it can be easily bundled into the total travelling package, or sold individually.

It does not have any hidden costs as customers pay only the standard SMS rates charged by their mobile phone carrier.

Features include i.e. personalised messages such as “Bon Voyage” and “Welcome Home” messages on behalf of the travel agent, traveller’s flight reminders, up-to-the-minute info on delays and cancellations as well as the latest travel warnings (24/7).

Other features include accommodation, currency exchange, weather, news, events and a translation option in 15 languages.

Customers will receive messages such as these to their phones via SMS:

“Mark, your next flight is 31 Oct 6:50AM from Cairns on Qantas Airways flight QF0060 with destination Sydney – Kingsford Smith. Weather there today 22c clear Wed 19-22c chance of rain Thu 18-23c chance of rain Fri 18-28c chance of rain Bon Voyage! from Mike at TravelAgent Sydney”

“Paris, France – 20 Nov 2007 – Public sector workers and students have joined strikes by French transport workers, causing havoc.”

“Greece [2007-11-17 16:42:12.0] Greece – 19 November 2007 – Heavy rains have caused severe widespread flooding. Travellers have been advised to exercise caution.”

“Something to do: Chelsea and Westminster Hospital Tour @ Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. Daily; Wed only. Cost: Free. +44 (0) 8701 566 366”

“Consumers have the peace-of-mind of knowing that they can access reliable travel and destination information on the mobile phone regardless of the quality and accessibility of communications at their destination” said Mark McCormack.

The service is privacy protected and customers can disconnect the service to stop incoming messages at any time, but still make outgoing requests.

For more information please call Tel.  03 9018 7212

A Report by The Mole