How has the digital landscape in Saudi Arabia evolved over the past couple of years? What have been the drivers behind this evolution?
Technology has radically transformed our lifestyles in all day-to-day operations. With these progressive advancements, every industry has to change, and those who cope with the dynamic changes are thriving businesses. Others who have failed to adapt have been left behind.
The key driver behind this evolution and rapid technology change is the visionary approach of Prince Mohammad Bin Salman. As a leader, he has steered the nation and policies in the right direction and delivered a framework for the Kingdom called Vision 2030. This definitive plan aims to foster developments in the Kingdom in all industrial verticals, transit the focus from oil to non-oil GDP and whatnot. All these achievements that the world is observing today in the Kingdom, ranging from megaprojects to revamping the entire cities and evolving economy, are led by Vision 2030.
Can you give an overview of Zamzam.com?
Zamzam.com is an online platform for completing the full process of Umrah booking including Umrah packages, hotels, flights transfers, accommodation, ground arrangements and other services. ZamZam.com is approved by the Ministry of Hajj & Umrah, Saudi Arabia. It is a platform where Umrah agents and intending pilgrims can book Umrah related services with ease.
A joint venture with TBO Tek Limited, one of the leading global travel distribution platforms we offer personalized services and customer support.
How have customer demands when it comes to religious tourism transformed?
Customers are more digitally aware and organised now than a few years before. They are well aware of what places they need to visit in Ziyarah during their Umrah trip.
A segment of such pilgrims prepares themselves through internet education, virtual tours by google maps of the places they plan to visit beforehand. And they design a set of questions to pose to the travel guides during their trip. This is an interesting aspect as the public is more advanced now, and any information can be looked upon in a few clicks over the internet. Compared to the ordinary ziyarah in the past days that was limited to a few places in Makkah and Madinah, the public demand has changed now, and visitors are eager to visit the footprints of the Prophet, peace be upon him, during the voyage. This transition is an exciting aspect that has evolved recently.
How important is the role of technology in addressing these demands?
Google maps, virtual reality/augmented reality (VR/AR), text to speech translation, dedicated mobile apps and other variety of platforms have eased the service delivery and made it convenient to prepare and organise the trip, value-added services delivery as well as get exclusive insight into the visiting destinations through digital platforms.
What makes Zamzam.com’s services unique from their counterparts? How are you leveraging advanced technologies to make experiences seamless for travellers?
As a joint venture with TBO Tek Limited, one of the leading global travel distribution platforms, we share a large inventory of Hotels as well as being recognised by MaqamGDS leverages us to have the MAQAM inventory with competitive pricing in hotels and transportation, which sets us apart from our competitors.
How are you innovating to ensure that your customers remain safe as they travel amid the ongoing pandemic?
By strictly following the guidelines provided by the Ministry of Health, having a completely vaccinated staff with the Covid vaccine, implementing all safety measures
