Introduction
Today’s travelers seek more than just a place to sleep—they’re looking for memorable experiences that connect them to the local culture and events. Whether it’s discovering hidden gems, attending local festivals, or booking tours, travelers want easy access to real-time information on attractions and events in the area. For hotels, offering these experiences has become critical in building guest loyalty and driving higher engagement.
Integrating in-app travel guides and event schedulers into your hotel’s app is a powerful way to provide guests with the personalized, seamless experience they expect. In this post, we’ll explore why in-app travel guides and event schedulers are essential for enhancing the guest experience, how these features can be a valuable asset to your hotel, and how Appricotsoft can help you implement them to set your property apart.
Why In-App Travel Guides and Event Schedulers Matter
Providing local recommendations through traditional brochures and concierge desks is becoming outdated. In a world where travelers use apps for everything from booking flights to ordering food, hotels must meet their expectations for instant, reliable information at their fingertips. Here’s why integrating travel guides and event schedulers into your hotel app is crucial:
- Personalized Guest Experience
Guests want recommendations that suit their personal interests, from family-friendly activities to off-the-beaten-path cultural experiences. By leveraging hotel booking software and guest data, your app can offer tailored suggestions for local attractions based on guests’ profiles. For instance, a couple on a romantic getaway might see recommendations for local wineries or exclusive dining experiences, while a business traveler may receive suggestions for nearby networking events or popular co-working spaces.
- Convenience and Real-Time Information
Gone are the days when guests would visit the concierge desk or sort through pamphlets to find out what’s happening in town. In-app travel guides and event schedulers allow your guests to access up-to-date information at their convenience. Whether it’s the schedule of a local music festival or the operating hours of a nearby museum, your hotel app can provide all the details guests need—helping them make the most of their stay.
- Enhanced Guest Engagement and Longer Stays
The more guests are engaged with their surroundings, the more likely they are to extend their stay. When your app offers real-time updates on local events and attractions, it can inspire guests to participate in activities they might not have otherwise known about. This not only enhances their experience but can also encourage longer stays and repeat visits. For example, an event scheduler might notify a guest of a local food festival happening the day after their scheduled departure, prompting them to extend their stay.
Key Features of In-App Travel Guides and Event Schedulers 📱
To fully realize the potential of these features, your hotel app should be equipped with the following functionalities:
- Interactive Travel Guides
An interactive travel guide is much more than a static list of places to visit. It should provide detailed descriptions, high-quality images, guest reviews, and even integration with maps and navigation. Whether a guest is looking for the best local restaurants, tourist attractions, or day trips, the app can help them navigate the local landscape with ease. In-app travel guides can also be updated in real-time to provide information on current events, closures, or special promotions. - Event Scheduling and Notifications
Event schedulers provide guests with a calendar view of local events, such as concerts, festivals, sports games, and cultural activities. Guests can use the scheduler to plan their trip around events that interest them, and the app can send reminders or updates as the event approaches. Integrating notifications ensures that guests never miss out on a local experience, whether it’s a last-minute opportunity or a must-attend event. - Booking and Ticketing Integration
For guests who want to attend a local concert, tour, or special event, the app can offer direct booking and ticketing options. This added layer of convenience encourages guests to engage more with the activities and attractions, while also increasing the likelihood of them using the app repeatedly throughout their stay. The integration of bed and breakfast booking software could even suggest breakfast tours or wine tastings near the property, based on their current booking. - Customizable Suggestions
Personalization is key to modern guest satisfaction. Using hotel loyalty program software and guest preferences, the app can offer personalized suggestions based on past behavior and interests. Whether it’s outdoor activities, dining, or cultural events, these customized recommendations ensure that the information provided is relevant and meaningful to each guest. - Cross-Promotion and Partnerships
By incorporating local businesses and event organizers into the app, hotels can create partnerships that are mutually beneficial. Your hotel can provide exposure to local companies while offering your guests exclusive discounts or early access to events. This can also drive additional revenue for your property, as guests take advantage of partnerships to enhance their stay.
Market Analysis: The Demand for Local Experiences 📊
Travelers are increasingly seeking authentic, local experiences rather than simply visiting traditional tourist spots. According to a report by Skift on experiential travel, 67% of travelers want to immerse themselves in local culture (source). The same report indicates that 49% of tourists actively seek out local events and activities that aren’t typically found on mainstream travel sites.
Moreover, a study by Booking.com revealed that 60% of travelers would prefer to receive personalized recommendations for their trip, while 54% said they would extend their stay if they knew more about local attractions in advance (source).
These statistics show that hotels can significantly boost guest satisfaction and engagement by offering more than just room accommodations. The demand for personalized, local experiences is growing, and hotel apps are an ideal tool to meet this demand.
Case Study: CitizenM Hotels 🎯
CitizenM, a hotel chain known for its modern, tech-forward approach to hospitality, successfully implemented in-app travel guides and event scheduling to boost guest engagement. Their app, CitizenM App, offers curated recommendations for local attractions, from sightseeing hotspots to hidden gems. The app also features a local event scheduler that highlights what’s happening during guests’ stays, including concerts, exhibitions, and cultural events.
As a result, CitizenM has reported higher guest satisfaction, with many guests praising the convenience of having real-time information and personalized recommendations at their fingertips. This has not only enhanced the guest experience but also helped the hotel chain maintain its reputation as a modern, tech-savvy brand that caters to the needs of today’s travelers.
How Can We Help Your Hotel Implement Travel Guides App?
At Appricotsoft, we specialize in creating custom mobile and web applications designed to enhance your hotel’s digital offerings. Our team understands the intricacies of the hospitality industry, and we can help your hotel integrate in-app travel guides and event schedulers that elevate guest satisfaction and improve engagement.
We’ll work closely with your team to develop an app that reflects your hotel’s brand and offers the features your guests want most, from real-time local recommendations to personalized event notifications. Our solutions can seamlessly integrate with your hotel’s existing systems, including your hotel booking software, hotel loyalty program software, and room booking app.
Our goal is to help you provide a more immersive, personalized guest experience—leading to higher guest satisfaction, longer stays, and repeat bookings. Contact Appricotsoft today to learn how we can help your hotel implement cutting-edge travel guide and event scheduling features.
Conclusion
In-app travel guides and event schedulers are no longer just nice-to-have features—they’re essential tools for delivering a modern, personalized guest experience. By helping guests explore local attractions, discover events, and plan their stay, your hotel can stand out from the competition and provide the kind of unique experiences travelers crave.
Partner with Appricotsoft to integrate these features into your hotel’s app and offer your guests the ultimate in convenience and personalization. Let’s work together to transform your hotel into a hub of local discovery and engagement.
This post is part of a comprehensive series on hotel technology solutions. Stay tuned for our next article, where we’ll explore the importance of real-time communication and notification features in hotel apps.
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2. Room Service Reimagined: Integrating In-App Ordering for Food and Amenities