Tourmie enables you to connect your WhatsApp Business account, allowing you to manage all your communications across WhatsApp Business and other channels from one place. Follow this comprehensive guide to learn how to connect your account.
⚠️ Before we start:
To connect Tourmie with WhatsApp, you’ll need a verified WhatsApp Business account.
Please make sure that:
Your WhatsApp account is a Business account.
The phone number you’re using is not connected to another WhatsApp account.
Your Meta Business Manager and WhatsApp Business accounts are verified.
You’ve added a payment method to your WhatsApp Business account (sending messages to contacts you haven’t communicated with in the last 24 hours will incur charges, which are billed monthly to Meta).
Important: If you wish to connect your existing phone number to Tourmie, you will no longer be able to use it on another WhatsApp account. Make sure to back up your chat history before proceeding, as it will be lost.
About WhatsApp Business
What is WhatsApp Business?
WhatsApp Business enables businesses to create a business profile on WhatsApp, communicate more effectively with their customers, and grow their business. It offers various features that are not available on WhatsApp Messenger app, such as:
Creating a business profile
Using automated messages
Organizing with labels
Viewing statistics
Using WhatsApp Web/Desktop
Connecting with external systems, such as Tourmie
Benefits of connecting a WhatsApp Business account to Tourmie
Connecting a WhatsApp Business number to Tourmie provides you with two significant benefits:
Centralized communication management: Manage all your WhatsApp Business conversations alongside your communications from other channels, such as email, SMS, and chat. This allows you to have a holistic view of your interactions with each guest.
Personalized guest support: During a conversation with a guest, you can have immediate access to useful information, such as:
Guest details (first name, last name, email, phone number, etc.)
Booking details (check-in and check-out dates, booking channel, booking ID, number of guests, etc.)
Property details (guest guide URL, address, WiFi codes, check-in and check-out instructions, parking instructions, etc.)
Additional information (special requests, service bookings, online check-in submission, etc.)
Quick actions (service recommendations, local area suggestions like restaurants, activities, and shops, etc.)
This allows you to offer a more personalized and efficient service.
Log in or Create an account on Meta Business Manager
To connect your WhatsApp Business account to Tourmie, you need to have an account on Meta Business Manager.
Log in to Meta Business Manager. If you don’t have an account, you can create one by following the steps here. Signing up for Meta Business Manager is free.
Add a WhatsApp Business number to Meta Business Manager
After you have logged in or created an account to Meta Business Manager:
Go to Business settings.
From the menu, click Accounts and then WhatsApp Accounts.
Add your WhatsApp Business number by clicking on Add WhatsApp account.
Connect a WhatsApp Business account to Tourmie
To connect your WhatsApp Business account to Tourmie:
Go to Settings > Developers > Integrations.
In the Guest Communication tab, find WhatsApp and click on the Connect button.
On the new page, you will be directed to:
1. Log in or continue with your personal Facebook account.
2. Click “Get Started” to connect your account to Tourmie.
3. Select your business portfolio (or create a new one) and click Next.
4. Select your WhatsApp Business Account and WhatsApp Business Profile (or create a new one) and click Next.
5. Tourmie is requesting permission to:
Manage your WhatsApp Account.
Manage and access your conversations in WhatsApp.
Click Save.
6. Click Finish.
Finally, once your account connection is complete, you will be directed to Tourmie’s WhatsApp Integration page.
It may take a few minutes. Please do not close the page until the process is complete.
WhatsApp message templates
What are the WhatsApp message templates?
WhatsApp message templates are predefined messages that you must initially create within your WhatsApp Business account to initiate a conversation with a guest.
All message templates go through a review and approval process before they can be used. Once approved, you can send them to guests with whom you haven’t already initiated a conversation.
Types of WhatsApp message templates
There are various types of WhatsApp message templates. Some of them include:
Welcome messages: Used to greet new guests.
Support messages: Used to respond to frequently asked questions or provide assistance.
Promotional messages: Used to promote products or services to your guests.
Reminder messages: Used to remind your guests of their reservation or other important events.
Tourmie automatically creates a template message with the text “Hello”.
Create a new WhatsApp message template
WhatsApp message templates are created through your Meta Business account. To create a message template, follow the instructions here.
Send a WhatsApp message through Tourmie
To be able to send WhatsApp messages to your guests, you first need to add a Payment Method to your WhatsApp Business Account. To do this:
Open the Meta Business Manager.
Go Settings > Accounts > WhatsApp Account.
Select your WhatsApp Business Account.
From the Settings tab, click on Payment Settings.
On the new page you are directed to, click on Add Payment Method and enter your card details.
Then:
Go back to your Tourmie account, on the Inbox page.
Select the guest to whom you want to send a message.
Click on the WhatsApp option.
Enter your message and click Send.
Important note: To initiate a conversation via WhatsApp with one of your guests, you need to send a message template first. Tourmie automatically creates a message template with the text "Hello."
If you still have questions about how to connect your WhatsApp Business Account to Tourmie, feel free to contact us via chat.