Two Ways to Connect WhatsApp.
One Powerful Platform.
Choose unofficial (free) or official (verified) WhatsApp integration. Both reduce no-shows, automate communications, and delight your guests.
Why WhatsApp Beats Everything Else
Email is dead. SMS is expensive. WhatsApp just works.
| Channel | Open Rate | Response Time | No-Show Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20% | Hours/Days | Low | |
| SMS | 45% | Hours | Medium |
| 98% | Minutes | High |
Two Options. Your Choice.
Both options work with RockeTour's automation engine. Pick the one that fits your business.
Unofficial WhatsApp
via Green API
What you get
- Send booking confirmations & reminders
- Review requests after tours
- Multi-language message support
- Automated message sequences
- No per-message charges
Limitations
- No verified business badge
- No read receipts or analytics
- Potential rate limits on high volume
- Account linked to personal number
Best for: Small operators starting out, budget-conscious businesses, operators in early growth stage
Official WhatsApp
via Twilio
Everything unofficial does, plus
- Verified business profile (green badge)
- Read receipts & delivery reports
- Full delivery analytics dashboard
- Higher sending limits
- Rich media (images, PDFs, locations)
- Full two-way conversation support
Considerations
- *Meta charges per message (~$0.005-$0.08)
- *Requires Facebook Business verification
- *Setup takes 1-3 business days
Best for: Growing operators wanting professional image, high-volume businesses, operators who need analytics & tracking
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
See exactly what each option includes
| Feature | Unofficial (Green API) | Official (Twilio) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free (included) | +$50/mo + Meta fees |
| Verified business badge | ||
| Rich media (images, PDFs) | ||
| Read receipts | ||
| Delivery analytics | ||
| Booking confirmations | ||
| Automated reminders | ||
| Review requests | ||
| Multi-language | ||
| Two-way conversations | Basic | Full |
| Sending limits | Rate limited | Higher limits |
| Setup complexity | Simple | Requires Facebook Business |
| Available on | All plans | Professional & Enterprise |
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose Unofficial if...
- You're just starting and want to keep costs low
- You send fewer than 500 messages/month
- You don't need delivery analytics
- You want the simplest possible setup
- You're testing WhatsApp messaging for the first time
Choose Official if...
- Professional image matters to your brand
- You need to track message delivery & reads
- You send high volumes (500+ messages/month)
- You want the verified green badge
- You need enterprise-grade reliability
Every Message, Automated
From booking to review — the entire guest journey on autopilot. Works with both unofficial and official WhatsApp.
Booking Confirmation
Instant after booking
Hi {{name}}! Your {{tour_name}} is confirmed for {{date}} at {{time}}. Meeting point: {{location}}. Reply with any questions!
24-Hour Reminder
24 hours before tour
Reminder: Your {{tour_name}} is tomorrow at {{time}}! Weather forecast: {{weather}}. Don't forget: {{what_to_bring}}
2-Hour Reminder
2 hours before tour
See you soon! Your guide {{guide_name}} is ready. Meeting point: {{location}}. Running late? Reply here.
Weather Alert
When conditions change
Weather update for your tour: {{weather_alert}}. {{action_needed}}. Questions? Reply here.
Review Request
2 hours after tour
Thanks for joining us! Enjoyed your {{tour_name}}? Leave us a review: {{review_link}}. It means the world to us!
Auto-Confirmation Automation
The full loop: guest confirms arrival via WhatsApp, everything updates automatically.
Guest Confirms
Guest replies "Confirm" to WhatsApp reminder
Order Updated
Booking status auto-updates to confirmed
Guide Notified
Guide gets real-time notification in their app
Dashboard Updated
Live arrival stats on your operations dashboard
Only available on Enterprise plan with Official WhatsApp integration.
See Enterprise PlanOfficial WhatsApp Setup Guide
From zero to verified business in 5 steps
Create Facebook Business Account
Register your company on Meta Business Suite. This is required for the official WhatsApp Business API.
Apply for WhatsApp Business API
Submit your business for verification through Meta. Approval typically takes 1-3 business days.
Configure Twilio Account
Set up your Twilio account and connect it to your WhatsApp Business number.
Connect to RockeTour
Enter your Twilio credentials in RockeTour settings. We guide you through every field.
Test & Go Live
Send test messages, verify delivery, and activate automated messaging for all bookings.
RockeTour Helps With Both
Whether you choose Green API or Twilio, our team walks you through the setup. We'll configure your account, test your messages, and make sure everything works perfectly before you go live.
Built for Tour Operators
Not just another messaging tool
Smart Automation
Set it once, forget forever. Messages go out at exactly the right time, every time.
Multi-Language
Automatic language detection. Messages sent in your guest's preferred language.
Two-Way Chat
Guests can reply directly. All conversations in one dashboard.
Instant Delivery
98% open rate. Messages read within minutes, not hours.
"Our no-show rate dropped from 22% to 7% in the first month. The WhatsApp reminders are magic — guests actually read them and respond. We've collected more reviews in 3 months than we did all last year."
Ready to Connect WhatsApp?
Book a demo and we'll help you choose the right WhatsApp integration for your business. Setup included.