How Stora Karlsö increased revenue and saved time with BookSpot
Stora Karlsö is an island 6.5 km southwest of Gotland, Sweden. They began using BookSpot in 2024, and the switch in booking systems has resulted in both increased revenue and many hours saved on booking management.
Skrevs av Julia von Melen - 2024-10-23
Case studies
Every summer, thousands of tourists travel to Stora Karlsö to experience the beautiful and unique nature the island has to offer. In addition to the return boat trip, Stora Karlsö also provides accommodation, which can be conveniently booked via BookSpot.
The island is visited during just a few intense weeks each year by a large number of tourists, businesses, school groups, gatherings, and wedding parties. For a business handling so many bookings in a short period of time, it is essential to have a booking system that simplifies and streamlines the process. Such a system not only optimise the number of visitors but also reduces the time staff spend managing bookings, enabling the staff to focus on delivering the best possible experience to on-site guests.
"We are a seasonal business with a high volume of bookings during just a few weeks in summer. This means our booking system must be both reliable and easy to use." - Martin Voest, CEO at Stora Karlsö
Combining accommodation with activities
Stora Karlsö was fully aware that BookSpot is not specifically designed for complex accommodation setups but is primarily developed for activities and experiences when they decided to switch systems.
Today, Stora Karlsö’s guests can easily book cabins and accommodation online, where they can also add meals from the restaurant, such as breakfast and dinner. Changing booking systems often provides an opportunity to review operations and adapt them to what the new system can offer. A different approach, in many cases, leads to more bookings and a more efficient and profitable business.
"With BookSpot, we have found great solutions that allow both us and our customers to easily book the round-trip by boat and accommodation, with or without meals from the restaurant."
A more profitable business
Since Stora Karlsö switched to BookSpot in 2024, their operations have become significantly more efficient. Previously, three staff members managed bookings during the season, but this year only two were needed. Additionally, the two staff saved several hours of work every day thanks to BookSpot.
"We’ve always had three people handling bookings, but thanks to BookSpot, two were enough this year. Moreover, we saved several hours a day as more customers book online."
An unexpected benefit has been the rebooking guarantee, which has not only generated additional revenue but also saved the staff significant time. Customers can now adjust their bookings independently without needing to contact staff for assistance.
"The rebooking guarantee has been fantastic. Customers can easily manage their own bookings, and it has also brought us additional revenue we hadn’t anticipated."
Three key features for Stora Karlsö
Packages - with bundles, customers can book both the outbound and return trips in the same flow.
Add-on products - Stora Karlsö offers experiences combining boat trips, meals, and accommodation with the help of various add-ons.
Rebooking guarantee - with this option, customers can manage and reschedule their bookings themselves.
We are incredibly grateful for the trust Stora Karlsö has placed in us to provide their booking system and we look forward to continuing to be part of their journey.
