Yamsafer was an online accommodation booking website in the Middle East. The company combined website, mobile app and call center booking methods in its service delivery for all destinations around the world. It was described by Tech Crunch, as the "Middle East's Booking.com".Zaher, Faris. "Yamsafer, The Middle East's Booking.Com". Interview by Mike Butcher. MSN, 2015. Web. 17 October 2015
History Yamsafer was founded in 2011 by Palestinian entrepreneurs Faris Zaher, Sameh Alfar and Seri Abdelhadi. The startup went on to become the first Palestinian company to secure an early-stage venture capital investment. In June 2015 Yamsafer went on to secure $3.5m in its Series B round from Global Founders Capital, marking the largest round of venture capital financing to be raised by a Palestine-based company and the first-ever foreign led round of investment in a local company.Lomas, Natasha. 'Global Founders Capital Invests In Middle East Hotel Booking Startup Yamsafer'. TechCrunch. N.p., 2015. Web. 18 Oct. 2015Rahal, Maya. 'Yamsafer Secures $3.5M In Series B Funding Led By Global Founders Capital'. wamda. N.p., 2015. Web. 18 Oct. 2015 In October 2018 the company ranked 5th in "Top 12 Up and Coming Companies In The Middle East" by Forbes. The selection criteria were based on providing a sustainable business model, raising significant amounts of capital and delivering growth to investors.
Following the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and the imposition of travel restrictions the company was forced to close.
Innovations Cardless Booking In January 2014, Yamsafer was the first in the travel industry to provide the unique feature of "Cardless Bookings",IT briefing. Yamsafer, an Online Hotel Booking Platform Re-Launches its Website and is the First to Introduce the 'Cardless Bookings' Feature Worldwide. ITbriefing.net. N.p., 2014. Web. 18 Oct. 2015 where customers did not need a credit card to guarantee or confirm a hotel reservation, but instead were required to make payment once they arrive at the hotel. The feature was available in select regions and cities including Amman, Madaba, Aqaba, Dead Sea, Ramallah, Bethlehem, Cairo, Jeddah, Kuwait City and Manama.The Telegraph,. 'Yamsafer, An Online Hotel Booking Platform Re-Launches Its Website And Is The First To Introduce The 'Cardless Bookings' Feature Worldwide'. N.p., 2015. Web. 18 Oct. 2015 The cardless bookings feature was introduced as a result of the significantly lower credit card penetration rates in the MENA region compared to more mature markets,Prnewswire.com,. 'Yamsafer, An Online Hotel Booking Platform Re-Launches Its Website And Is The First To Introduce The 'Cardless Bookings' Feature Worldwide'. N.p., 2015. Web. 18 Oct. 2015 and to also help eliminate customer fears of providing their credit card information online. With the "Cardless Bookings" feature, Yamsafer removed the traditional deposit fee requirements usually requested by hotels of their guests.Financial Times,. 'Palestinian Travel Start-Up Bypasses Credit Cards - FT.Com'. N.p., 2015. Web. 18 Oct. 2015
Yamsafer's Mobile Application In 2015, Yamsafer released a mobile booking app with the purpose of pushing top deals with last minute prices. Such measures fill the gap between unoccupied hotel rooms and same day bookers.Andrews, Daniel. 'Arabiantravelnews.Com | Agents | Yamsafer Releases Mobile Booking App'. Arabiantravelnews.com. N.p., 2015. Web. 17 Oct. 2015
Yamsafer Homes In 2016, Yamsafer launched Yamsafer Homes, its own vacation rental brand.Khashan, Diala. 'https://www.prweb.com/releases/in_dubai_an_entire_home_can_be_rented_for_the_price_of_a_hotel_room/prweb13810105.htm | Agents | In Dubai, an entire home can be rented for the price of a hotel room'. 17 Nov. 2017,
Recognition Yamsafer received recognition as part of the tech start-up scene in Palestine. Yamsafer also provided smaller hotels and guesthouses, which were previously offline, the opportunity to market themselves in an online space and serve international markets.
In January 2011, Wamda selected Yamsafer as the Best ecommerce startup as part of the Best MENA Startups of 2011 competition. In early June 2015, Yamsafer announced the closing of its second round of investment of US$3.5 Million, led by Global Founders Capital with participation by Sadara Ventures and other undisclosed investors.Rahal, Maya. 'Yamsafer Secures $3.5M In Series B Funding Led By Global Founders Capital'. wamda. N.p., 2015. Web. 18 Oct. 2015
References
External links Official website