Interview | Nadine Malik CEO Javago.pk

The successful launch of 3G/4G, coupled with the ever-increasing smartphone penetration provides the perfect opportunity for Jovago to reach out to the masses.

Jovago is Pakistan’s largest online hotel booking website that caters to all customers, with its inventory of 2000 plus hotels and guest houses across the country. It has presence in form of hotel partners in approx. 160 cities of Pakistan. With its customized filters available on Jovago’s website, it takes into account various factors including price range, location and hotel type. In an exclusive interview with the Javago CEO, Nadine Malik (NM) we have tried to further  find out about the role Javago is playing in today’s advanced tech world. Here is what she said.

PW:  How far Jovago.pk has come since the arrival of this company in Pakistan?

NM:  For over three years of our operations in the country, Jovago Pakistan got the first mover advantage as we were the first of the kind to introduce the concept of online hotel booking in Pakistan. We have come a long way in three years, since our current hotel inventory surpasses the mark of 2000 plus hotels and guest houses in around 160 cities of the country. The response that we have received from our customers has been amazing. According to Jovago’s 2017 hospitality report, the total number of visitors on our hotel booking portal jovago.net has crossed 3 million since inception.

The internet usage has been expected to increase in the coming years indicating the profitability for e-commerce ventures  more proficient

The reason why we have received such a phenomenal response is that customers have the ease of booking accommodation from anywhere by just looking at the pictures of hotel rooms, compare prices, read other customers reviews and make their hotel choice.

PW: How Jovago.pk reaches out to the maximum people?

NM: The successful launch of 3G and 4G internet in Pakistan, coupled with the ever-increasing smartphone penetration provides the perfect recipe for Jovago to reach out to the masses. According to our 2017 hospitality report, the internet penetration will increase from 30 million in 2017 to 56 million over the next five years. It is a good market size for us to provide convenience and best prices through our easy to use smartphone app, customized search engine and 24/7 customer service, etc.

We are popular among travelers because of our variety of payment methods. These are payments through Easypaisa, bank cards, prepayments, pay at hotel and partial payments. Travelers find it very accommodating especially when they can do partial payments. Apart from hotel bookings, Jovago.pk has also started customized tours to travel destinations such as Fairy Meadows, Hunza, Naran, and Kaghan. These customized tours have already become quite welcoming among youth including the explorers who want to learn and witness different places in the country.

Jovago Pakistan got the first mover advantage as we were the first one to introduce the concept of online hotel booking in Pakistan

Recently, we have successfully started serving to corporates where we provide them one window solution for bookings in different cities of Pakistan.

PW: How Jovago.pk has made traveling easy for people in Pakistan?

NM: With its website and smartphone app, available for both iOS and Android users, Jovago Pakistan has provided friendly hotel booking solution to travelers to avoid inconvenience that may arise from the planning aspect of traveling. Now with Jovago, people no longer have to wander about in search of decent hotel rooms once they have reached their travel destinations. It remains a matter of just a few clicks that let travelers to book hotels and guest houses from anywhere to everywhere in Pakistan. There are exciting deals and discounts available throughout the year for Jovago & alliance customers. Jovago’s customized search engine has been designed in such a manner that facilitates visitors for hassle free bookings.

PW:  How technology has transformed the travel industry?                                                                                                   NM: Technology has significantly transformed the travel industry through the inclusion of smartphones, mobile internet and applications that focus on providing various services online that can be easily availed by the tourists. From online booking to online payments, comparing of various hotels and their amenities along with pricing, everything has been made available online through these platforms. The internet usage has been expected to increase in the coming years indicating the profitability for e-commerce ventures such as Jovago more proficient.

PW: What makes Jovago different from other online travel services?

NM: Due to the fact that the websites and applications offer real-time services, customers can be ensured that they will be guided throughout the whole process. They not only focus on providing online hotel booking but are also catering towards building awareness amongst potential, targeted customers regarding the best tourist places in Pakistan, Myanmar and Bangladesh. It is slowly and gradually expanding to become South Asia’s biggest hotel booking service available online, that is definitely work in progress.

The fact that the website and application offer real-time services, customers can be ensured that they will be guided throughout the whole process

The Best Price Guarantee is unlike anything any other competitor is offering and differentiates Jovago from them by a greater margin. There is lack of awareness regarding the beauty that Pakistan comprises of, people are being acknowledged about prices, places, varieties and amenities offered all with the convenience of a single platform.

PW: What online services are offered by Jovago?

NM: Jovago features an online real-time platform for hotel booking where you can easily be accommodated by travel advisors that are available at your service 24/7. The service is localized in Pakistan helping it gain a better competitive advantage over other foreign counterparts. It is the largest online hotel booking website in Pakistan with over 2000+ hotels to compare and choose from.

PW: Virtual reality, or VR, in the tourism industry is likely to see its breakout time by the end of 2017. Where does Jovago stands in that regard?

NM: Jovago is currently working on providing better services for its customers. Virtual reality is surely to break a lot of barriers that exist in our current digital industry of Pakistan. Currently there is a lot of presence of 3D images that let the audience virtually visit a particular place. This can definitely be incorporated in our current strategies for executing and promoting hotels.

PW:  What major changes do you see in travel industry from technology standpoint?

NM:  Technological tools that cater towards providing innovative material for the content online can surely help hotels market their services and facilities in a better manner and through a better medium.

Javago is the largest online hotel booking website in Pakistan with over 2000+ hotels to compare and choose from

Focusing on providing virtual tours for customers is definitely going to persuade them to opt for online booking and build trust in websites like Jovago.

PW:  Any message for the travelers?

NM:  Pakistan is a beautiful country that is blessed with scenic views. Being a traveler myself, I always encourage travelers to move around the country & never be afraid to explore. As law & order conditions have improved over time, it is even easily accessible. At the end, I just want to say please also be responsible to keep it clean and green.