Bangladeshi startup Jatri expands to Middle East

Jatri, a Bangladeshi multi-modal travel tech platform, has expanded its services to the Gulf Cooperation Council markets.

Beginning with Saudi Arabia and the UAE, by recently launching its online travel services platform “Saafir.co” Jatri has already made notable progress in the region, offering comprehensive travel solutions for domestic Umrah pilgrims across Saudi Arabia, and has also introduced its private chauffeur services in hotels and corporates based in Riyadh and Dubai.

Aziz Arman, Jatri co-founder and CEO told TBS, “The car renting and bus trip booking services are having more users as the transport providers are enjoying their automated business operations alongside a better response from the passengers who can book trips and make online payments in a hassle-free way.”

The platform has unveiled its new Umrah travel packages with flexible pricing, serving pilgrims seeking a seamless and fully managed experience.

These all-inclusive packages, available on the Saafir.co platform, feature door-to-door transportation, a range of accommodation options, and personalised support throughout the pilgrimage.

Since its inception in 2019, Jatri has built an extensive network, comprising over 6,000 buses, 60,000 drivers, 40 ferries, and 19 lakh registered users. The platform has processed more than 23 crore transactions in Bangladesh to date.

Today, Jatri offers a suite of simple, easy-to-use products, ranging from transport service providers’ inventory management systems, enterprise ticketing, and online ticket booking to payments.

Leveraging advanced technology, Jatri also delivers personalised travel recommendations, optimising results based on speed, cost, and user preferences.

The Gulf Cooperation Council, with its initiative to create a unified visa system for all six member states, presents a prime growth opportunity, similar to the success seen with multi-modal travel solutions in Europe, said Aziz Arman.

According to the United Nations World Travel Organisation, inbound tourism expenditure in the Gulf Cooperation Council reached approximately $100 billion in 2023, while outbound spending surpassed $70 billion.

As the region aims to attract 200 million travellers by 2030, Jatri is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the transportation ecosystem there.

Building upon its growth momentum, Jatri has secured a strategic partnership with Eilago, a leading Travel Tech-focused startup in the Gulf Cooperation Council transport sector.

Jatri is backed by some notable global investors, including ALSA, BusBud, Genting Ventures, SBK Tech Ventures, and Reflect Ventures, among others.