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The pressure on the hotel sector is increasing. Rising costs, staff shortages and ever higher guest expectations are forcing entrepreneurs to make smart choices. In this playing field, digitalisation is rapidly gaining ground. With the software solution Straiv, the way hotels organise their guest journey is fundamentally changing. “This completely digitises the entire guest journey – from check-in to check-out,” say Jasper Zoutman and Bob Hes of The Fold Group, which is bringing Straiv to the Benelux market.
As of January 2026, The Fold Group will be the official reseller of Straiv in the Benelux. This software solution, developed in Stuttgart, Germany, has proven itself over the past decade in the DACH region, where thousands of hotels use it. “The strength of the platform lies in its comprehensiveness,” says Zoutman. “There are many solutions that digitise parts of the guest journey, but this system truly works from A to Z.”
The guest goes through the entire journey digitally: from pre-check-in and identification to payment and room access. “Everything happens in one web environment, without the need for an app,” says Hes. “That makes it accessible and user-friendly.”
An essential part of Straiv is the so-called Digital Concierge. This functionality provides guests with continuous access to information, services, and offers. “The guest essentially has a concierge in their pocket 24/7,” says Hes. “From hotel information to restaurant reservations and even an AI chatbot for questions: everything is immediately available.”
The software also integrates with existing systems such as PMS, access control and payment providers. “These links ensure that digitalisation doesn't stop at check-in, but continues into the core of the operation,” explains Zoutman. “This significantly relieves the burden on reception, or in theory even makes it obsolete, as guests can arrange everything themselves.”
The impact on daily operations is considerable. “On average, you save 30 to 40 hours per week on front office tasks,” Zoutman continues. “That’s one full-time position. In addition, there is time saved per guest. With full automation, it saves about ten minutes per check-in and check-out. And you can then use that time for genuine hospitality.”
One of the main advantages lies in the commercial opportunities. “A digital system like Straiv doesn’t feel pressure and therefore never forgets to offer upselling,” says Hes. “During the guest journey, guests are automatically offered relevant extras, such as upgrades, breakfast, or late check-out. This way, you seize every opportunity to increase revenue per guest.”
Digitalisation also contributes to more sustainable operations. “Less paper use and more efficient processes are already a win,” says Zoutman. “Furthermore, a guest can indicate with a green choice that the room does not need to be cleaned daily. On a large scale, that really has an impact.”
Straiv is built modularly, making it suitable for a variety of hotel concepts. “You can start small, for example, with just online check-in, or go for full automation,” explains Zoutman. “That flexibility makes the system applicable in virtually any type of hotel, from budget to five-star.”
Finally, The Fold Group looks ahead. “As well as being a proud reseller of Straiv, we are currently working on another project to make hotel processes smarter and more sustainable. As with Straiv, this will result in higher efficiency, lower costs and a better guest experience. But there will be more on that later this year.”
