Viavii Explained

ViaVii
Type:Marketplace
Founded:2016
Founders:Rola Fayyad, Ibrahim Abu Rajab, Ramzi Madanat
Hq Location:Jordan
Num Employees:40

Viavii is an online community marketplace that allows people to explore, book and host in-person and online experiences from all around the world.[1] The experiential travel platform offers experiences and itineraries that are adjustable on-the-move, while connecting users with residents of their destination at any time.[2] Based in Amman, Jordan, Viavii also has offices in Qatar.[3]

Viavii is a Google start-up that uses technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning for a personalised user experience.[4] [5] [6] The platform can be accessed via website and will soon be available as an application for android and IOS.[7] Users can set up an account to either host or book experiences.[8] [9] Viavii only receives commission from each experience sold as it does not own any of the experiences listed on the website.

History

The company was founded in 2016 by Rola Fayyad under the name “friendture", with the initial idea of creating a mobile application for group travellers and friends to plan and organise their trips together.[10] Due to the change in consumer behaviour, Viavii was launched in January 2019, to enable travellers to explore new places and cultures while connecting with locals and likeminded people.[11]

As part of their corporate social responsibility and social impact, they connect local communities who often lack an online presence with travellers who are looking for immersive local-led activities.[12] In 2019, they started a social project called ViaVii Locals that aims to encourage and support entrepreneurs (particularly women and youth) to build sustainable tourism businesses in rural communities.[13] By 2020, the company had obtained an “undisclosed amount” of seed money, and it has been shared that Tech Venture Fund by QSTP is a lead investor.[14]

ViaVii has been cited as an “innovative example of the role and impact of the sharing economy era on authentic sustainable tourism” .[15]

Online experiences

Viavii launched the feature online experiences[16] and entered the market of fully digitised experiences in 2020 as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Online experiences are considered an alternative to travel, as they entertain people quarantining at home, while also posing an opportunity for service providers to still make money despite travel restrictions.[17]

2022 FIFA World Cup

Viavii was one of the ten winners of challenge 22, the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy’s flagship innovation programme.[18] The competition provides an opportunity for participants in the Arab region to display their innovative start-ups, and target the football fans and visitors who will be attending the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.[19]

Viavii is expected to provide its services to the fans during the 2022 world cup. An AI-based itinerary planner powered by Viavii is scheduled to be integrated into Qatar’s most prominent websites to help newcomers and residents navigate exploring Qatar.[20] As they highlight the region’s culture, their focus will also be contributing to a digitised and more innovative future for tourism.[21] In recognition of its role in the digitization of the experiences economy in Qatar, Viavii was https://www.mcit.gov.qa/sites/default/files/fifa_world_cup_qatar_2022tm_-_mcit_connected_tournament_-_a_digital_legacy_english-1.pdf?TSPD_101_R0=0893829855ab2000bd4fd4d5224b12ba474f76ebac1ff8a61b603bbf9d0a748dcc8a847ad789432e08a96f0f9a1430008a716a6d0d2e199c2a8a947035e6be1c66a6b0163c9c22e30a547576c3b7e5c29866fbce1b0a456499345fee2b3319a9, Qatar. This commendation was particularly for the company's partnership with the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy in conjunction with the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Locations

Viavii operates in the following locations worldwide:[22]

Africa

Cairo

Limuru, Masaai, Mombasa, Nakuru, Nairobi

Asia

Bali

Beirut

Muscat, Salalah

Al Khor, Al Wakrah, Al-Shahaniya, Doha, Mesaieed

Abha, An Nafud, Alula, Hail city, Jizan, Jeddah, King Abdullah Economic City, Neom, Riyadh, Tabuk, Taif, Umluj, Wadi Al-Dawasir, White Volcano

Krabi, Pattaya, Phuket

Ankara, Antalya, Cappadocia, Istanbul, İzmir, Kuşadası, Pamukkale

Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah

Europe

Paris

Athens, Crete, Santorini, Thessaloniki

Rome

Lisbon

London

North America

Havana

Mérida

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Julian Villanueva . The Nascent Market For Live Online Experiences . Forbes . Forbes . August 26, 2020.
  2. Web site: QF-funded start-up to offer personalised itineraries for FIFA World Cup 2022 visitors . Qatar Foundation . June 11, 2021 . May 5, 2021.
  3. Web site: About Us . Viavii . Viavii . May 7, 2021.
  4. Web site: Google for Startups Accelerator Middle East and North Africa . Google . June 9, 2021.
  5. Web site: QT-Online . Challenge 22 gave us the drive to reach our full potential: ViaVii CEO Rola Fayyad . Qatar Tribune . April 29, 2021 . March 17, 2021.
  6. Web site: UNWTO Top 100 Tourism Startups and Innovators . UNWTO World Tourism Organization . 14 July 2021 . PDF.
  7. Web site: QF-Funded Start-Up to Offer Personalized Itineraries for FIFA World Cup 2022 Visitors . Qatar Science and Technology Park . June 15, 2021 . May 5, 2021.
  8. Web site: QF-Funded Start-Up to Offer Personalized Itineraries for FIFA World Cup 2022 Visitors . Qatar Science and Technology Park . June 15, 2021 . May 5, 2021.
  9. News: Nayrouz Talaat . Personalising travel experiences . The Egyptian Gazette . June 29, 2021 . April 5, 2021.
  10. News: 10 Jordanian startups keeping the Kingdom on point . albawaba . June 12, 2021 . May 30, 2016.
  11. Web site: QF-Funded Start-Up to Offer Personalized Itineraries for FIFA World Cup 2022 Visitors . Qatar Science and Technology Park . June 15, 2021 . May 5, 2021.
  12. News: Coping in the age of corona: How the Netherlands and Jordanian partners adapted to the crisis. A few examples . July 2, 2021 . Netherlands and you . June 16, 2020.
  13. Web site: First Sustainability Progress Report . FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ . June 8, 2021 . PDF.
  14. Web site: Sean O'Neill . Sherpa Raises $8.5 Million for Simpler Visas: Travel Startup Funding This Week . Skift . June 3, 2021 . May 7, 2021.
  15. Web site: Viavii.com presents travel alternative amidst global pandemic, Unique Online Experiences Globally. . MENAFN . June 6, 2021 . March 14, 2021.
  16. Web site: Online Experiences . Viavii.
  17. Web site: Julian Villanueva . The Nascent Market For Live Online Experiences . Forbes . Forbes . August 26, 2020.
  18. Web site: Challenge 22 . Qatar2022.qa . July 2, 2021.
  19. Web site: Challenge 22 . Qatar2022.qa . July 2, 2021.
  20. Web site: QF-Funded Start-Up to Offer Personalized Itineraries for FIFA World Cup 2022 Visitors . Qatar Science and Technology Park . June 15, 2021 . May 5, 2021.
  21. Web site: QT-Online . Challenge 22 gave us the drive to reach our full potential: ViaVii CEO Rola Fayyad . Qatar Tribune . April 29, 2021 . March 17, 2021.
  22. Web site: Locations . Viavii . 25 July 2021.

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