Digital guest card

Digitalization poses new challenges for Swiss tourism with changing guest needs. The internet continues to grow in importance.

The city of Lucerne, the Seetal region, Lake Sempach, Willisau, Weggis, Vitznau, Rigi, Schwyz and Nidwalden have already introduced the digital guest card. Obwalden Tourism is now following suit and has launched the Obwalden digital guest card together with Lucerne Tourism and the IT specialist arcade solutions ag from Lucerne. The future guest card offers significant advantages over the current version.

How does the digital guest card work?
Obwalden Tourism introduced the digital guest card in April 2023. With the guest card, overnight guests in Obwalden accommodation benefit from various discounts for mountain railroads, museums and excursions. Guests receive their guest card at check-in at their accommodation or before arrival via PreStay mail.

Who is behind the new service?
Lucerne Tourism introduced the digital guest card in the city of Lucerne in 2017 and is leading the project. In 2018, other regions (Weggis, Vitznau, Rigi, Sempach, Willisau, Seetal, Schwyz and Nidwalden in 2019) launched the digital guest card. Obwalden Tourism is working with Lucerne Tourism to create the digital guest card for Obwalden.

What are the advantages of the digital version?
Guest data can be imported directly from the hotel's own PMS system into the online guest card portal "TourX" via an interface. The time-consuming manual completion of the guest card is no longer necessary. The new version also enables a "validity check in real time".

How can service providers (cable car, museum) see whether the guest is entitled to a discount?
The service providers have the option of either scanning the code or entering the corresponding numerical code online. All providers will be informed in advance.

How does this project compare nationally?
Many tourist regions now offer their overnight guests comparable services. Depending on the region, some sub-processes are digitally supported, but mainly of a manual nature. With TourX, Lucerne can offer the first system that pursues a fully digital approach and implements this end-to-end. The system has a modular structure and can be expanded.

Are further developments already planned?
In collaboration with Lucerne Tourism, the Lake Lucerne Region is examining whether a public transport ticket can be integrated directly into the digital guest card. Further developments are planned in the area of a digital registration form, link to the online store, data evaluation, etc.

Do I need to install a separate program for the digital guest card?
No, it is the online platform "TourX".

Can the guest card be issued more than once?
Yes, if the guest forgets their Print@Home version at home, for example, the guest card can be printed out again at the hotel desk during the period of validity of the guest card.

Do business or regular guests who come several times a year have to re-issue their guest card again and again?
No, the guest card is valid for a maximum of 1 year.

Do second home owners also receive a guest card?
Yes, owners of second homes have the option of obtaining a digital guest card via Obwalden Tourism. The digital guest card is sent to the owner annually. One guest card is issued per family/party. This is also valid for accompanying persons.

Can the guest card also be filled out by hand if necessary?
No, the guest card can only be generated digitally via the system.

Can the guest also obtain the guest card from Obwalden Tourism?
Yes, Obwalden Tourism can also issue guest cards.

Do I need a special printer?
No, printing is done using a standard printer in black and white.

In which languages is the digital guest card available?
The digital guest card and guest information are available to guests in German, English and French. The language can be adjusted when the guest is registered.

What are the costs for accommodation providers?
The introduction of the digital guest card is free of charge for accommodation providers. If you wish to connect your PMS directly to TourX (active interface), implementation costs may be incurred by your provider.

What happens if the guests of a shared room or a family are not traveling together?
Additional guest cards can also be issued retrospectively if, for example, the guests in the same room are not traveling together. In principle, the guest whose name is listed on the guest card must be able to identify themselves with an identity card (ID/passport).

What happens if the guest card has already been sent to the guest before arrival and the guest cancels later?
In this case, the guest card must be canceled by the accommodation via the TourX platform. From this moment on, the card is invalid in the event of a check.

When is the ideal time to issue the guest card?
In principle, this can be defined individually by the accommodation. Ideally in the range of 1 - 7 days.

How does the process work for group guests?
In principle, each guest should be registered individually and by name. As an interim solution, however, it is possible to record a maximum of 10 people on one card. The simplest solution is to import the data into the TourX system using an Excel spreadsheet. It is best if the organizer or tour operator provides the hotel with the corresponding Excel spreadsheet with the names of the group participants.

How can the guest card be sent in advance if the e-mail address is missing?
The guest card cannot be sent in advance without an e-mail address.

Can the guest card be issued retroactively?
If the 2nd guest in the room requires their own guest card, this can also be issued retroactively.

What data is stored in TourX?
The following information is mandatory for the creation of digital guest cards: First name and surname of the guest, accommodation name, arrival and departure date, number of people (adults/children), if sent in advance before the guest arrives (Print@Home/Wallet) also the email address. The data will not be passed on to third parties. This data will be deleted after the statutory period. The data, in particular the email addresses, will not be used for marketing purposes.

Which hotel platforms are directly connected to the TourX system?
There are currently three ways to create the guest card. Either manually, by importing entire data records (Excel or CSV file) or via an interface to the hotel's own PMS system. An interface already exists for the PMS systems Protel and Fidelio. Requests for further interfaces to other PMS systems will be clarified individually.

Can the TourX system send the guest card?
The TourX system sends a link to create the guest card. The opt-in procedure has been selected, in which the guest actively consents to the guest card being created with their data.