Hotel guests offered chance to go on a 'digital detox' with new service
The Digital Detox service from alldayPA offers to lock smartphones and other devices away while providing an answering service for important calls to allow customers total relaxation.
Hotels can offer the service as an extra, or guests can organise the service themselves in advance of their stay with seven, 14 or 30 day packages available.
Guests buying the service are given a simple message to put on their out-of-office explaining to contacts that they won't be picking up emails but directing them to a phone number connected to alldayPA. The call goes through to a virtual receptionist who will take messages, or pass urgent messages on if briefed to.
In any case, the main benefit, according to alldayPA spokesperson Sue Ratcliffe, is to allow guests freedom from their digital devices to allow them time to relax.
“In recent years, we’ve seen mobile devices transformed from useful tools, which, if used effectively, helped users become more productive, into a time-sapping source of stress," she said.
"Digital Detox is the answer. It will break the cycle of dependency, allowing even the busiest person to leave the mobile behind and focus on the task at hand or even enjoy a restful, communication-free break without worrying about missed calls or messages."
No extra work
Because the service is offered remotely, there is no work for hotel staff, says alldayPA, although hotels can add the service to their packages.
"All messages are taken by the alldayPA virtual PA so there is no additional work for hotel staff," said Ratcliffe. "alldayPA can also pass urgent messages on to a named colleague who can handle enquiries whilst the customer is out of office however this is not mandatory.
"If a colleague is nominated the customer will have to outline clear instructions on why they would want us to contact their colleague, and what type of calls warrant a transfer to that colleague. That way, callers will be well looked after and the guest can enjoy time away from the office - business doesn't have to stop and the guest can enjoy a relaxing holiday with interruptions."
The Digital Detox service is offered as a stand-alone package or to supplement to other alldayPA services with a seven-day Digital Detox starting at £3 a day with 30 calls included.
