HiJiffy updates software to help hotels boost ancillary revenue

‘Hyper-personalised’ messages can be sent to guests at ‘exactly the right time’

Guest communication platform HiJiffy says it can boost hotels’ ancillary revenues with an update to its software to act on guests’ immediate needs.

Hotels will be able to automate the sending of ‘hyper-personalised’ WhatsApp or SMS messages to guests at optimum times via the software, integrated into hotels property management systems (PMS) via an API.

HiJiffy says it can now turn each guest’s actions, such as completing a booking or checking into the hotel, into a communication trigger.

That means it can be programmed to send a welcome message when a guest checks in, offer a dinner deal as they are settling into their room, or a checkout reminder the night before they leave.

HiJiffy says the technology allows hotels offer personalised options to enhance their guests’ stay at ‘exactly the right time’.

Chief technology officer José Mendonça said: “This was the missing element to unlock hyper-personalised and fully automated communication.

“And the best part is, the way we’ve designed it, the implementation will be effortless for the hotels.

“By maximising the power of real-time synchronisation with the PMS, hotels will be able to deliver targeted upsell offers and services exactly when guests are most receptive, significantly increasing their conversion rates.”

The updated technology also aims to improve hotels’ operational efficiency by reducing the need for manual tracking and communication, ‘allowing staff to focus on high-value interactions and operational excellence’.

As well as upselling, HiJiffy says its technology now opens the door to a ‘fully-digitalised guest journey’ by leveraging existing integrations for online check-in and check-out and collection of reviews.

For example, guests can receive a message pushing digital check-in the day before arrival, and then receive a digital room key.

Or, on the morning before departure, guests can receive messages offering express digital check-out.

HiJiffy says the technology makes guests ‘feel recognised and valued with instant, relevant communication throughout their stay’.

The software is already compatible with PMS’ including Mews, Cloudbeds and Apaleo and HiJiffy says it will be made compatible with more PMS’ in the coming months.