The VisBook and Zaplox partnership dates back to 2018 and provides VisBook’s customers access to a pre-built integration of the Zaplox mobile guest journey.
Zaplox spoke with Oystein Selbekk, CEO of VisBook, one of Zaplox’s European partners and asked him some questions about the Zaplox partnership and what trends he sees in today’s hotel market.
Why is the partnership with Zaplox important to VisBook?
VisBook has many different types of customers in the hotel industry and that is why it is very important to offer a complete solution and a mobile guest journey that is integrated with VisBook PMS. Our vision is to deliver technology that helps our customers to become more efficient, enabling hotels to focus on delivering top-notch guest services.
Is there a risk that this type of technology makes the hotel industry impersonal?
Some people worry that technology will make the hotel industry impersonal, but that is not my opinion. On the contrary, I think the technology makes hotels more accessible. Instead of only interacting with hotel guests during check-in and checkout, the technology enables hotels to offer more value-added services during the guest’s entire stay. By offering mobile check-in and mobile keys, hotel staff can focus on delivering better and timely service.
What trends do you see in the hotel industry?
The hotel industry is going through a technological shift and more and more hotels choose to offer their guests mobile solutions. The plastic room keys are too expensive to manage and I am convinced that the physical key will soon disappear. Everyone has a smartphone and can quickly download an app.
It is also becoming increasingly common to pay with a smartphone instead of with a credit card. This makes the guest journey a good starting point for how hotels will communicate with their guests going forward.
What challenges is the industry facing?
One of the challenges with the new technology is that we need new standards for solutions such as the lock systems in order to be able to support all customers. At the same time, it is important that hotels invest in the new technology and start taking advantage of the positive impact on the guest experience.
How would a mobile solution impact your personal guest journey?
As a frequent traveler myself, I often arrive at the hotel late at night. After a long day, I don’t want to wait in line to check-in and get a room key. If available, I would definitely prefer using my phone to check-in and download the room key prior to arrival.
Many times, I have also encountered a locked front door with a phone number to call when arriving late. It would be much more welcoming and convenient if hotels offered mobile check-in and mobile keys to provide access to the property.
Zaplox to Present at VisBook Workshop
On October 24, VisBook will host a workshop at Oslo airport and Zaplox is invited to present the next-generation mobile guest journey and kiosk solutions. VisBook will present its new web-based booking solution, which takes VisBook PMS to the next level and the workshop will also address the “communication between guests and hotel” and that is topic where Zaplox is a good fit. Click here to register or learn more about the workshop.
More information
Visit www.VisBook.com for more information about VisBook or contact:
Magnus Friberg, CEO, Zaplox
email: magnus.friberg@zaplox.com
Phone: +46 706 58 07 60
Alternatively: ir@zaplox.com
VisBook
VisBook AS is a Norwegian software company that develops, sells, trains, and supports VisBook PMS, an online booking and management system with over 700 hotel customers in seven countries.
Zaplox
The Zaplox hospitality platform delivers the conveniences of a mobile guest journey with mobile check-in/checkout, mobile key services and direct guest communication. The mobile guest journey platform includes a software development kit that enables hotels to add Zaplox functionality to their existing hotel app, and the Zaplox mobile app is a cost-efficient way for hotels to launch their own custom-branded app. In addition, Zaplox offers a kiosk solution for self-service that helps deliver a frictionless guest journey. The Zaplox solutions streamline the front desk operation while improving guest satisfaction. Zaplox was founded in 2011 and operates globally. Zaplox is listed on NASDAQ Stockholm First North. For more information, visit zaplox.com.
