Now Arabic-speaking travel bookers can conveniently switch between English and Arabic versions of the website by using the language toggle located in the top-right navigation of the home page.
DUBAI – Travelstart, the leading travel booking site in Africa, officially launched Arabic versions of its website in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Egypt and Morocco this week.
Speaking about the company’s latest milestone, Travelstart’s Ahmed Saadeddine said, “The launch of Travelstart in Arabic marks the dawn of a new travel booking era for the Islamic World. This will enhance our customers’ experience as well as validate our standing as a leading travel website across the MENA region.”
The Online Travel Agency’s presence in the region has to date only included English versions of its website in each of the Arab nations it serves. Now Arabic-speaking travel bookers can conveniently switch between English and Arabic versions of the website by using the language toggle located in the top-right navigation of the home page.
“Arabic customers will benefit from Travelstart’s industry leading features which include access to real time prices for flights from all airlines, hotels and car rental as they make travel arrangements in their language and local currency,” Mr Saadeddine added.
Arabic is currently the fifth most spoken language in the world, and the official language in 26 countries. While an estimated 413 million of the world’s Internet users are from the Arab World, the availability of Arabic online content is vastly disproportionate.
Speaking from Dubai, Travelstart’s Business Development Manager Remo Abbondandolo noted Internet search patterns in the Middle East, “In Saudi Arabia approximately 80% of Internet users conduct searches in Arabic, in Kuwait it is 60%, and in the UAE there are fewer searches in Arabic as the market is dominated by expats and locals are accustomed to searching online in English.”
Through its Arabic websites, the OTA hopes to accelerate the growth of online bookings and e-commerce in the region.
“We are addressing the lack of Arabic Internet travel content in a comprehensive manner, while ensuring our customers have access to a truly inclusive booking service supported by the established and dependable Travelstart brand.”
“In 2015 alone we’ve had 4 million active users in the MENA region accessing Travelstart in English. The launch of an Arabic version will provide an even more culturally relevant experience to our valued customers,” said Abbondandolo.
Travelstart’s localised payment methods are flexible to meet the needs of travellers who prefer to pay without a Credit Card. In the UAE the OTA has differentiated its offering from other travel websites by allowing customers to pay for their travel bookings via extensive means including CashU, Al Ansari, pay@home and pay@store.
Links to Arabic sites (language toggle is in the top right corner of each home page)
UAE: www.travelstart.ae
Egypt: www.travelstart.com.eg
Saudi: www.travelstart.com.sa
Kuwait: www.travelstart.com.kw
Bahrain: www.travelstart.com.bh
Qatar: www.travelstart.qa
Oman: www.travelstart.com.om
Morocco: www.travelstart.ma
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
