As a recreation entrepreneur at heart, you often have one goal: to provide your guests with an unforgettable experience. When they leave your park satisfied, your mission is accomplished. An automated guest journey contributes to guest satisfaction in many ways. We have written a blog series so you can create the ultimate guest journey. In this part, we zoom in on phase 4 of the guest journey: Pre-arrival.

Phase 4: Pre-arrival

The time before arrival is an important phase in the guest journey. You create expectations and make your guests feel welcome and prepared even before they arrive. In this blog, we discuss how you can use advanced automation and personal attention to provide a hassle-free and hospitable experience.

Automated emails: targeted communication

Communication during the pre-arrival phase is essential. With emails sent automatically at exactly the right time, you can provide guests with all the information they need and get them excited about their stay.

Practical tips

• Welcome email: Thank guests for their reservation and provide an overview of what to expect during their stay.
• Check-in instructions: Provide clear details about the check-in, including the location and opening hours.
• Travel tips: Share practical information such as the nearest parking options, public transportation or local events.
• Upselling: Offer your guests extras to make their vacation complete. Consider an email highlighting the Easter breakfast to all guests staying over the Easter weekend.

Licence plate recognition: Ease of arrival

For accommodations with parking facilities, license plate recognition can add great value. It speeds up the check-in process on busy arrival days. The guest can provide their license plate number in advance and can then automatically access your park's barrier. Your reception will be notified after the guest has entered your park, so you know immediately of their arrival. Examples of license plate recognition systems are Salto and CAT.

Cleaning and technical service: Preparation behind the scenes

Spotless accommodation is essential for a good first impression. During the pre-arrival phase, cleaning and technical teams can ensure that everything is in perfect order. By documenting these processes and scheduling them automatically, you avoid miscommunication as well as unpleasant surprises for the guest.

Improve efficiency:

• Use an automated system linked to your reservation system to schedule cleaning tasks and technical checks. Thanks to the integration, you can easily take arrival and departure days into account.

Conclusion

The pre-arrival phase offers countless opportunities to exceed guests' expectations. By combining smart technologies with personal attention, you can leave a lasting impression before the stay even begins. Streamlined preparation is the key to satisfied guests and a flawless start to their holiday.

After the pre-arrival, it's time for the phase that's what it's all about in the end - the staycation! Read in our blog how to make this as memorable as possible.