Case studyTravel & hospitality

How a boutique resort grew direct bookings 43% with WhatsApp

Enquiries now get an answer in under 3 minutes, guests get everything they need before arrival, and past guests hear about new packages. Direct bookings and reviews both rose.

A boutique resort in IndiaBoutique resort
43%more direct bookings1
<3 minfirst reply to enquiries2
161%more Google reviews3
Results reported for a boutique resort in India.How we measured

01The challenge

Late replies, busy phones and few reviews

Enquiries that arrived after front-desk hours were answered late, and some guests booked elsewhere in the meantime.

Staff answered the same questions about rooms, directions and check-in all day, feedback after checkout was patchy, and past guests were rarely invited back.

BeforeLate replies to enquiries
BeforeRepetitive calls to the front desk
BeforeFew reviews and repeat bookings

02What they switched on

The whole stay, on WhatsApp

The resort used SAMWAD to handle guest communication from the first enquiry to the next visit.

  1. 1
    Chatbot builder →

    Answers to booking enquiries

    Enquiries from the website or social media get availability, packages, prices and property details in WhatsApp, at any hour.

  2. 2
    Message templates →

    Confirmations and pre-arrival info

    Guests get their booking voucher and receipt, then directions, check-in times, parking and house rules before they arrive.

  3. 3
    WhatsApp Flows →

    Requests during the stay

    Guests ask for housekeeping, room service or extra amenities in a form inside WhatsApp instead of calling.

  4. 4
    Campaigns →

    Feedback and repeat visits

    After checkout guests are asked for feedback and a Google review; past guests who opted in get seasonal and weekend offers.

See it in WhatsApp

One of the automations above, as the customer sees it.

Illustrative chat. Names and details are examples.

03The results

More direct bookings, more reviews

Direct bookings rose from 74 to 106 a month, and enquiries now get a reply in under 3 minutes instead of over 2 hours.

Monthly Google reviews rose from 18 to 47, and the front desk spends more time with guests and less on the phone.

04What you can copy

Lessons for travel and hospitality teams

  • Answer enquiries at night too: that’s when many guests plan trips.
  • Send directions and check-in details before guests ask.
  • Ask for a review right after checkout, while the stay is fresh.

How we measured

  1. 43% more direct bookings. Direct bookings rose from 74 to 106 a month. Source: from the customer’s own reports.
  2. <3 min first reply to enquiries. Average first response, down from 2 hours 10 minutes (about 98% faster). Source: from SAMWAD analytics.
  3. 161% more Google reviews. Monthly Google reviews rose from 18 to 47. Source: from the customer’s own reports.

Keep reading

More from travel and hospitality.

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