A Bahrain-based travel agency has launched what it claims is a first-of-its-kind travel portal for the region, pitting it against the likes of bookings.com.

“BookNow.bh only offers quick and easy access to the very best deals and travel solutions for independent travellers, and businesses,” said Algosaibi Travel chairman Fawaz Algosaibi in a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

“It also provides the peace of mind and service personalisation that a legacy travel agent having an accessible office set-up and established customer support credentials can offer.”

He was speaking at a media roundtable held at the InterContinental Regency Hotel.

“This is a first for Bahrain and will play a key role in facilitating online booking requirements, particularly for budget travellers,” he said.

Algosaibi said the portal is integrated with a real-time booking engine similar to that used by leading service providers in the world, but incorporates additional features based on user feedback and needs gap assessment.

“We have noticed a dramatic shift in consumer preference towards budget online booking,” he added.

Algosaibi Travel chief executive Isaac Mathew, who was also present, said BookNow.bh has been designed with ease-of-use in mind.

“It offers individuals and businesses several options from airline booking with comparative costs to flights, hotels, transfers, car hire and a secure payment gateway.

“Mobile apps that would allow users of Apple's iOS and Google's Android platforms to make bookings using their smartphones would also be made available shortly,” Mathew said.

“Travel agents generally charge a seven per cent commission on tickets booked through them, which is not charged for web-bookings and that is the basic saving that is guaranteed,” he added.

BookNow.bh integrates low cost airlines such as Air Arabia and flyDubai along with other legacy carriers.

It offers bookings at more than 50,000 hotels worldwide and payment via both credit and debit cards. - TradeArabia News Service