VIPGuest App for Holiday Home Industry
A West Country businesswoman has launched an innovative new app that will revolutionise the holiday home experience for both owner and guest.
VIPGuest is the brainchild of Rachel Badrick, who owns a holiday cottage in St Ives. Using her experience gained in a traditional lettings agency and subsequently a Cornish holiday agency she has identified a digital opportunity for holiday let owners to maximise potential for minimal cost.
The app provides a satisfying user experience by delivering comprehensive information to guests’ mobile devices before, during and after their stay. This not only means that information – such as maps, directions and details about the property – is always at their fingertips, but it can also be tailored to guests’ particular interests (for example, more sporting activities over sight-seeing, fine dining over shopping). And for foreign visitors, the guides can even be delivered in multiple languages. By enriching guests’ experience, the app drives positive reviews and leads to repeat direct bookings.
For owners, it simplifies running a holiday property by keeping information within easy reach. With sections on guest calendars, property management including fire risk assessment, and information guides, owners can update information with minimal fuss. There’s no investment in expensive software, nor is there commission to pay on bookings. Further, the VIPGuest app provides a mobile optimised marketing platform for owners’ properties.
‘VIPGuest is the future of delivering guest information to the modern, always-connected guest,’ says Badrick. ‘In a noisy market place, we have to compete digitally and embrace mobile: it’s a necessity rather than a luxury.
‘Guests search and book using their mobile device, Yet historically that mobile experience disappears as soon as booking is confirmed. It starts with emails of printable directions and continues on arrival with a tired folder of house instructions and tatty leaflets of local attractions. It’s the equivalent of still having to print your boarding pass when scanning your phone at the airport has become industry standard.
‘Expectations are being driven by the likes of AirBnB as they have the budget and the attention of the consumer to influence their behaviour even more,’ Badrick continues. ‘and that’s where VIPGuest comes in. If we don’t cater for modern holiday makers by adopting mobile solutions we risk losing market share.’
For further information and a demonstration of VIPGuest, contact: Rachel Badrick, Rachel@vip-guest.co.uk 07939360576.