Why digital guest guides are so effective
When traveling, more and more information is digitized or made available. Looking at the guest journey, more and more touchpoints are digital. From exploring, booking, and flight arrangements to checking in and choosing your seat, it is at the fingertips of your mobile screen. However, hotels and STRs tend to adopt late in the technology play. Information might be stored in booklets, flyers, or at the concierge desk. It's time to align with modern guest expectations. For hoteliers and property managers, digital guest guides or guidebooks represent a new opportunity to streamline operations, increase revenue, and increase guest satisfaction.
Benefits of Digital guest guides
A digital guide is the single go-to platform for a guest. It should hold all the information about their stay, from Wi-Fi passwords to ordering/viewing room service options. A local place, hotel / STR / Airbnb, is seen as a local expert. Use your digital guides to give insights into the local attractions. By making this digitally available before, during, and after their stay, guests are able to plan ahead of time and reduce the questions while eliminating the need for physical flyers.
Enhance Guest Experience
By providing a digital experience, guests can browse through the list of recommendations and local attractions at their own comfort. As a hotel, you have the opportunity to personalize your stay based on your preferences. With real-time notifications about events, special offers, or changes in schedules, you ensure your guests are always ahead of time and make the most of their stay.
Operational Efficiency
While the average person spends 2-3 hours per day on their phone or tablet, expectations for digital communication are rising across all industries. A digital guide is perfect for your hotel staff to interact with their guests. With digital expectations, you can reply in a timely manner. This efficiency not only improves staff productivity but also enhances the overall guest experience.
Sustainability
A digital guidebook reduces your carbon footprint. However, a well-executed digital strategy can highlight and improve your environmental approach by offering guests options to reduce their carbon footprint. This can be done by explaining the impact of specific actions (e.g., Daily towel washing) or offering them the opportunity to reduce their carbon footprint.
Key Features to include in your digital guest guide
Personalize the welcome message—let your guests know that you are there for them. Explain what the guest guide is capable of and what they can expect from it.
Property Details - There is a 99% chance that the guest's question during checking-in is, "And what is the Wi-Fi password?" Be a step ahead and share the Wi-Fi password in advance. As a side effect, they can easily find their booking confirmation at the front desk if they are connected to Wi-Fi.
Check-In and Check-Out Instructions - Inform your guests about what is expected of them at check-in and check-out. If well executed, this should turn into a money maker, as you can offer early check-ins and late check-outs.
Local Recommendations—You are the local expert and part of the local community. Share your knowledge about good restaurants and hidden spots with your guests. They will like it!
House Rules—In most countries, it is a legal requirement to inform your guests about the house rules. Turn this legal requirement into an opportunity to increase the guest experience by offering them an app.
Emergency Contacts—Unexpected emergencies happen, and in the heat of the moment, you don't want to search endlessly for a solution. List all the important contacts in your digital guest guide.
Improved Guest Experience
A well-executed digital strategy is an excellent opportunity to exceed guest expectations and significantly improve the guest experience. It will elevate your brand and trustworthiness, increasing the likelihood of rebooking, spreading the word, and increasing guest satisfaction.
So, embracing the digital guidebook strategy is essential for hoteliers and property managers to enhance their guest experience and increase their satisfaction during their stay. With the right content and touchpoints at the right time, you will increase your operational efficiency and reduce costs while increasing your revenue through upselling.
What to do next?
Review your current digital experience, what we can improve, what to eliminate, and where to put the focus.
Streamline your operations around a digital approach.
Explore our platform to start offering comprehensive, personalized digital guest guides that elevate your guests' stay and boost your operational efficiency.
