A new artificial intelligence assisted travel booking platform that allows passengers to search, book and pay for flights through voice prompts in multiple languages has been launched in Abuja, with its promoters seeking to reduce the stress and physical queues often associated with conventional airline ticket bookings.
The platform, unveiled by Safety Travels Ltd, is designed to connect travellers with multiple airlines, hotels and car hire services through a networked digital backend, allowing users to plan and book aspects of their journeys remotely.
Speaking at a press briefing during the launch on Monday, the Chairman of Safety Travels Ltd, Hon. Chidi Nwogu, described the development as a major shift in the way travellers access booking services in Nigeria.
Nwogu said the innovation was introduced to address some of the longstanding challenges faced by passengers who spend hours visiting airline offices and travel agencies to make reservations.
Ending physical booking stress
According to the chairman, the platform would allow prospective travellers to complete their bookings from the comfort of their homes, offices or other locations without the need to physically visit an airline office.
“For decades, passengers have endured hours spent in physical queues at airline offices, often sacrificing an entire day just to book a simple flight,” Nwogu said.
“With this technology, that era is coming to an end.”
He said the platform’s AI assistant would provide users with available travel options based on their requests, enabling them to select suitable flights and proceed with payment.
Nwogu explained that the system was built to make travel booking faster, easier and more convenient, particularly at a time when technology is increasingly transforming service delivery across different sectors.
He said Safety Travels Ltd was committed to using innovation to simplify the travel experience and reduce the pressure associated with traditional booking procedures.
Voice prompts in multiple languages
One of the major features of the newly launched platform is its voice assisted booking system, which allows users to interact with the AI assistant using voice prompts.
According to the company, travellers can make booking enquiries and begin the reservation process in a number of languages, including English, Spanish, Nigerian Pidgin, Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba and Efik.
The AI assistant is expected to respond to users by presenting available options for their consideration, allowing them to choose flights and complete the booking process.
The multilingual feature, the company said, is aimed at making the technology more accessible to a wider range of users, including travellers who may be more comfortable communicating in local languages or Pidgin English.
With a simple voice prompt, the platform is designed to help users explore available travel options to their preferred destinations without navigating the traditional process of visiting physical booking offices.
AI to support travel planning
Beyond flight reservations, the platform also includes an AI assisted feature designed to support travel planning and itinerary arrangements.
The system connects with airline booking networks as well as global hotel and car hire partners, offering travellers access to multiple services through a single platform.
This means users can potentially arrange major aspects of their trips, including flights, accommodation and ground transportation, without having to deal separately with several service providers.
The General Manager of Safety Travels Ltd, Agufuroye Joseph, said the platform was expected to improve service delivery and provide customers with a more convenient travel booking experience.
He said the introduction of the AI assistant was part of the company’s effort to embrace emerging technologies and respond to the changing needs of modern travellers.
Joseph added that the platform would give customers access to available options, allowing them to make informed choices based on their travel preferences.
Digitalisation of travel services
The launch comes amid growing efforts to deepen digitalisation across Nigeria’s aviation and travel industries.
In recent years, technology has continued to change how passengers search for flights, compare fares, make reservations and manage travel plans.
The use of mobile platforms and digital payment systems has also increased, while travel companies are increasingly exploring artificial intelligence to improve customer service and automate some aspects of booking and travel planning.
The introduction of voice assisted booking could offer an additional option for travellers who prefer speaking rather than typing their requests.
It could also help make booking platforms more user-friendly for customers who may find conventional online reservation systems difficult to navigate.
A new approach to customer convenience
Safety Travels Ltd said the platform was developed with customer convenience at its centre, with the aim of reducing the time and effort required to make travel arrangements.
The company believes the system will help travellers avoid some of the challenges associated with physical booking, including long waiting periods and the need to travel to airline or agency offices.
By combining AI technology with access to airline, hotel and car hire services, the agency hopes to provide what it describes as a more integrated travel experience.
Nwogu said the development represents the company’s determination to move with the changing direction of technology while offering services that respond to the needs of today’s travellers.
The agency also urged Nigerians and other prospective travellers to embrace the new technology and explore its voice assisted travel booking features.
With the launch, Safety Travels Ltd is positioning its AI assistant as a new addition to the growing digital travel ecosystem, offering customers the opportunity to search, select and pay for travel services through a technology driven platform.
As artificial intelligence continues to find applications in everyday services, the company said its focus would remain on using innovation to make travel planning and booking simpler, faster and more accessible to users across different languages and locations.