A Chester-based hospitality technology company has successfully ventured into the Arctic, securing its inaugural contract with a hotel in Greenland. This significant achievement marks a major milestone for the firm, headquartered at Venture Point, as it establishes its first substantial business engagement within the heart of the Inuit community.
The company, known for its award-winning property management system (PMS), has been instrumental in streamlining hospitality operations, covering online bookings and payments. Over the past 18 months, it has expanded its reach beyond the UK, securing new contracts in diverse international markets such as Barbados, Florida, Nigeria, and several European countries.
The latest accomplishment began with an unexpected inquiry from a port town in southern Greenland, renowned for its picturesque views over the Arctic ice sheets. A hotel located at 65 degrees north on the Tunulliarfik Fjord’s shores sought an efficient online booking system to cater to both business clientele and international tourists visiting Greenland’s ninth-largest town. The establishment, which includes 11 rooms, guesthouses, six family apartments, and houses, required a sophisticated system to manage its reservations effectively.
The hotel’s owners were intrigued by the capabilities of the Chester-based firm’s PMS. Despite the geographic and regulatory challenges, the team worked diligently to integrate their system remotely, covering nearly 2700 km from Chester to Narsaq. Overcoming Nordic regulatory hurdles, the system went live just in time for the peak summer tourist season, crucial for the town, famous for its fishing, sheep farming, and mesmerizing icebergs.
One of the company’s co-founders acknowledged that Greenland was not initially on their radar. However, this unexpected opportunity demonstrates the flexibility of their product. The firm, while rooted in the UK, takes pride in setting up their platform in far-flung locations.
The hotel’s co-owner, originally from Iceland and managing the hotel alongside his Greenlandic wife and children, praised the team for their perseverance and creativity in overcoming international barriers. They noted that addressing Nordic regulations was challenging, but the tech firm’s team was quick to adapt the system to meet these requirements. For the hotel’s predominantly business clientele, the ability to easily book and amend reservations online was essential, a feature that many other systems lacked.
Since its inception in 2017, the Chester-based company has experienced steady growth, with its all-in-one property management system now utilised by over 250 hospitality businesses. This new contract in Greenland marks a significant extension of the company’s geographical reach and capability.
The company was founded by hotelier directors and, in addition to its Chester headquarters, maintains offices in Edinburgh and Durbanville, South Africa. Their UK clientele includes prestigious names such as Bannatyne Leisure Group, Trivelles Group, and Petite Hotels.
The Chief Operating Officer expressed enthusiasm for this new venture, highlighting the company’s ongoing commitment to growth and innovation in overseas markets. She conveyed optimism about fostering new relationships with further properties in Greenland and expressed delight in providing a service to the hotel, thus expanding the company’s footprint in this vibrant and growing economy.
As the Chester-based firm continues to break new ground, its commitment to innovation and international expansion remains steadfast. This latest success in Greenland not only underscores the flexibility and adaptability of its product but also sets the stage for future growth in the global hospitality technology market.
