Should You Use WhatsApp for Guest Messages?
Many guests, especially international travellers, are used to WhatsApp as their everyday way to message people. Hosts often ask whether they should use it for check-in details and quick questions. It can help, but it is not right for every host or every booking.
When WhatsApp helps
- Guests are travelling and may not check email, or a platform app, on arrival.
- Quick questions get answered faster in a chat they already use daily.
- Sharing a pin, a photo of the door or the parking spot is easy.
Things to think about
- Platform rules. Check the terms of each booking site before you ask guests to move to another channel.
- Privacy. Using your personal number mixes work and private life. A separate business number is cleaner.
- Records. Messages sent outside the booking platform will not be in its thread if a dispute arises. Keep your own records.
- Consent and templates. Business messaging on WhatsApp has its own rules, including approved message templates for messages that you start. Read Meta's current policies if you plan to send automated messages.
Where Staynora stands
WhatsApp sending through the official WhatsApp Business API is rolling out in Staynora and is not live today. Until it is, you can use Staynora for bookings, calendar and housekeeping, and send guest messages through your usual channel.
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