WhatsApp meets Wise Pilgrim App

[peregrina2000]

On a few recent threads, I have been suggesting that members use WhatsApp to contact establishments directly. In my experience it is hands down superior to emailing and frequently better than making a phone call.

I am going to have to ask @wisepilgrim to explain this, but I have seen that the Wise Pilgrim Apps now offer the user a way to start a WhatsApp conversation with the entity you are looking at on the app. That is, you can do that directly from the Wise Pilgrim app.

As this is above my pay grade, I am hoping that Wise Pilgrim himself will both be able to explain and illustrate, because I for one would love to have this option.

Of course, I try to end all my WhatsApp posts by pointing out that they are part of Meta/Facebook and that may be a deal killer for some. But if it’s not, I think it sounds like a great feature.

 

[VNwalking]

that may be a deal killer for some.

It is for me.
I wonder how many use Signal?

 

[wisepilgrim]

Yeah, so, WhatsApp. It has quickly replaced email as the preferred method contact for albergues and many small hotels/pensions too.

The new update to the apps adds a new feature to help out. It is made for pilgrims that would ordinarily use email or a phone call, or pilgrims that would like to use those methods but perhaps are not confident enough in their language skills. It is for pilgrims that want to reserve but still want a bit of spontaneity and flexibility, as you probably would not use it to plan out a whole camino.

It’s simple really, just a pop up that lives in the usual app screen for an albergue. Except that there is now a new button for phone numbers that work with WhatsApp. You can tap it to start a conversation, or you can long-press it to summon the message helper. That message helper asks for 3 bits of info:

1. Number of people
2. Date
3. Accommodation type (private room, bunk bed, or anything!)

Then it opens up a new whatsapp window with a message that is automatically translated into Spanish or Portuguese with the appropriate request. It asks for availability, a price confirmation, and a reservation if there is availability. From there on you will need to rely on a translator, or your own skills, as the conversation is handled entirely within whatsapp. It is just a tool to get you going, a confidence builder. The only thing you should add to the message is your name, if it is not already in your profile.

And the bonus is that you don’t need to add any new contacts to your phone like you usually do with WhatsApp.

What it is not: This is not a replacement to booking directly via a web page or via booking.com, if you want guaranteed availability and reservation instantly those remain the only way.

I also added a link to the pilgrim office to help you register the day before you arrive, in case you want to.

 

[wisepilgrim]

It is for me.
I wonder how many use Signal?

Unfortunately not many, if any at all. Telegram is picking up a bit, but Signal not so much.

 

[Peregrinopaul]

Yeah, so, WhatsApp.

Thanks for the exceptionally helpful post, (and for developing this feature). I'm in.

 

[peregrina2000]

Ok, Wise Pilgrim, more help needed. I cannot see any whatsapp button on any albergue in the Invierno app. I see lots of long blue bands with links to booking, but nothing about WhatsApp. What am I doing wrong?

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Unfortunately not many, if any at all. Telegram is picking up a bit, but Signal not so much.

I am one who is on Signal...just saying.

 

[dbier]

I don't have any other FB or Meta products....but on a worrying night in July 21 with a poor cell connection for voice, CaminoWays used WhatsApp with me to much better success. Only my work site (US) is using Signal.

*I* may prefer Signal, but I'll go where the albergues are...:/

 

[OzAnnie]

It is for me.
I wonder how many use Signal?

I use Signal too. (As well as email , sms, messenger , WhatsApp - sometimes it’s a hunt for where the msg is ).
Re signal though - I’m counting 4 who use it - just on this post so far. Not a bad rate.

 

[wisepilgrim]

Ok, Wise Pilgrim, more help needed. I cannot see any whatsapp button on any albergue in the Invierno app. I see lots of long blue bands with links to booking, but nothing about WhatsApp. What am I doing wrong?

Ahh, I should have mentioned that the feature is brand new and I am rolling it out app by app. The VdlP and Invierno get updated today.

 

[Former member 49149]

I use Signal too. (As well as email , sms, messenger , WhatsApp - sometimes it’s a hunt for where the msg is ).
Re signal though - I’m counting 4 who use it - just on this post so far. Not a bad rate.

I use signal. For myself! So few of my contacts do. It has a brilliant feature - also on the whatsapp app - where you can make voice notes for yourself if you have no pen for the stone age method of writing!

 

[wisepilgrim]

Not a bad rate

Amongst ourselves it is pretty good, but it will be hard to break the addiction to WA on the peninsula.

 

[Kanga]

Travelling around Europe we found almost universally that people use WhatsApp, often in preference to mobile phone calls. I had to make several telephone calls to Australia about work related matters and I found WhatsApp gave me much better reception and clarity than a phone call.

I've used Signal and Telegram in Australia but never in Europe. I don't recall anyone else who did.

@wisepilgrim, not having to add the phone numbers to contacts is a great feature.

 

[DoughnutANZ]

It is for me.
I wonder how many use Signal?

According to Reddit one year ago it was the top app in Spain, see:

https://www.reddit.com/r/signal/comments/kvu0fn

I am not suggesting that it isn't still top, just that the information hasn't been updated on Reddit for a year.

BTW, there has been recent discussion about Reddit being a more reliable search space than Google for some topics such as comparisons. The reasoning is that SEO techniques are gaming Google when it comes to comparisons.

 

[DoughnutANZ]

Unfortunately not many, if any at all. Telegram is picking up a bit, but Signal not so much.

Incorrect

 

[Kanga]

I can see this thread becoming a senseless argument, off topic, so I am closing the thread.

@wisepilgrim has explained a new feature on his app, which I for one greatly appreciate. If you would like him to consider a new feature, then send a PM.