Duration: 2019 – 2022
Safestay PLC is a leading European hostel chain based in London, operating 22 hostels across 11 countries. Known for its forward-thinking approach, Safestay sought a flexible and customizable booking system that could seamlessly integrate with their Cloudbeds MyfrontDesk PMS, streamline operations, and increase direct website revenue.
With the help of The Percentage Company, direct bookings surged by 74% year-on-year, resulting in over 38,000 direct reservations and a 3.3% online booking conversion rate.
Despite having some of the brightest hospitality marketing minds in the industry, Safestay recognized that an off-the-shelf booking system would limit their growth potential. Key challenges included:
- Lack of flexibility in existing booking solutions, preventing seamless integration with marketing campaigns.
- Complex hostel booking process that needed streamlining for an improved user experience.
- Mobile booking experience that required significant enhancements.
- Inability to effectively track marketing performance, as the default Cloudbeds booking engine relied on an iFrame, preventing accurate campaign attribution.
As Global Cloudbeds Partners, The Percentage Company collaborated closely with Safestay’s technical team to develop a cutting-edge, highly customizable hostel booking engine that:
- Fully integrated with Cloudbeds PMS & channel manager.
- Optimized the mobile experience, making it seamless for guests to book.
- Enabled multi-room, multi-offer, and multi-date reservations within a single transaction.
- Provided advanced marketing tools, empowering Safestay’s growth team with the flexibility to adjust campaigns and maximize revenue.
With the new custom booking engine, Safestay saw excellent results. By leveraging technology, data, and marketing expertise, The Percentage Company helped Safestay unlock new revenue streams and maximize direct bookings, solidifying their position as a leader in the hostel industry.
22 locations in some of the most iconic cities across Europe
74% increase in year-on-year direct bookings on Safestay.com
Unique Safestay hostels in 11 different countries across Europe
Over 38,000 direct bookings via the custom booking engine
"There was one clear problem with an out-of-the-box booking engine provided by Cloudbeds; displaying a window to their site (through an iFrame) caused all sorts of issues, not least we could not track the effectiveness of our campaigns. This meant our digital marketing investment could not be allocated effectively and suppliers could not be judged on performance. Cloudbeds spoke very highly of Edward and his team. After the initial conversation we opted for a semi-customized booking engine, to allow for hostel specific features. The Percentage Team worked tirelessly to meet our tight deadline. Often providing input into Cloudbeds’ system with what can be possible for development. We’re extremely grateful to have found the team, who are considered an extension of our own digital team."
Yogesh Ram - Head of Growth Marketing / Safestay Group PLC
"The Percentage Team worked tirelessly to meet our tight deadline. Often providing input into Cloudbeds’ system with what can be possible for development. We’re extremely grateful to have found the team, who are considered an extension of our own digital team."
Yogesh Ram - Head of Growth Marketing / Safestay Group PLC
For years, our team of online & digital marketing experts have helped our clients in Thailand & around the world give their brands a unique & empowering overhaul to turn them into game-changing businesses.
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