Crisis alert tool added to Hangout on Holiday app

Hangout on Holiday has added two new features to its Live Chat resort-based communications app.

It has added a one-way broadcast message facility ‘Locate & Inform’ for operators to manage crisis communications, alongside a new booking facility so holidaymakers can book excursions and events in resort.

CEO Paul Stanyer said the Locate & Inform system is a ‘game changer’ for tour operators, agents, DMCs and resorts who can use the app as a ‘magic pill’ for any situation.

He said travel providers can reach all customers in the event of a health or operator alert, or equally can tell specific groups about offers before or during their holiday.

"As we prepare for rebound, we have developed a simple system where travellers can check into the resort they are travelling to by date range and their travel arranger or operator can easily send messages to a region, resort or even an individual hotel," he said.

"We really hope there isn’t a second wave but this is a great tool to be able to locate and communicate information to clients in a specific hotel, resort or region.

"Covid aside there have been numerous travel failures where communication with customers in resort has been challenging. This system removes the challenge and it’s simple to deploy. The customer downloads the app, selects resort, chooses travel dates and that’s it, they are grouped by resort and date range. Notifications end at midnight on the final day of their holiday. It’s the perfect tool for travellers in this current climate."

The app is available in the App Store and Google Play.

"This app also provides a really innovate way for hotels to offer their clients an enhanced social distance experience," added Stanyer.

"Using the app, clients can check into an individual hotel and be immediately linked to all of the hotel services, reception, restaurants, bars, concierge, spa, watersports, literally any place in the hotel. They can literally arrange their daily activity sitting by the pool and using the app without any need for face to face contact."

He said the other new feature would allow operators and agents to promote excursions and events during their clients’ holidays, with the change to capture a share of this revenue.

Hangout on Holiday App was launched in 2018 and is already used by Olympic Holidays, TUI’s ‘Destination Services’, Party Hard Travel and many other resort-based operators.