Case study: GesTuris and the implementation of CiaoBooking for property management

Over the past year, CiaoBooking has been GesTuris’s main tool for running its Property Management operations.

So how did it go? Let’s hear it from those directly involved.

Hi! Tell us what your business looked like before using CiaoBooking. What problems were you facing?

Hi! Actually, we started our business directly with CiaoBooking to avoid the inefficiencies of managing bookings manually.

My previous experience as a consultant for accommodation businesses using other platforms guided that decision.

What kind of clients do you target?
We focus on clients who appreciate a simple online booking process and look for a fast, reliable service.

What features were you looking for in CiaoBooking?
We wanted an Italian-built, intuitive, and modular system that could handle bookings, payments, and automated reminders — and that could also meet Italy’s specific fiscal requirements.

How did you choose the right tool?
After carefully evaluating customer support, pricing, features, and most importantly the team behind the project, we chose CiaoBooking.
At the time, the platform had fewer features than it does today — but we saw how committed Alberto and Marco were, and that dedication really transformed the product.

What strategy did you adopt?

We integrated CiaoBooking into our operations from the start, gradually training our staff on how to use the software and keeping our clients updated on every step.

What other marketing efforts did you combine with using our software?
Alongside CiaoBooking, we launched ad campaigns and ran special promotions for returning guests and direct bookings.

What kind of results did you see, and how quickly?
Since we started using CiaoBooking from the beginning, we can’t compare results to a previous setup.
However, I believe that switching from a less efficient system to CiaoBooking could lead to a 25% increase in online bookings and a 40% reduction in errors.

Looking back, what mistake would you avoid in your growth strategy?

In the early years, I was splitting my time between two jobs, dedicating only two hours a day to growing the business.
If I could do it over, I would have gone all-in from day one — though, at that time, neither the software nor our internal structure was ready for that step.

Compared to when you started, what results are you seeing today?

Today we benefit from:

• a more efficient booking system
• higher guest satisfaction
• standardized key procedures (still improving)
• and an overall increase in bookings

On a scale from 0 to 10, would you recommend CiaoBooking? Why?

I’d give CiaoBooking an 8 out of 10.

It has significantly improved our efficiency, even though there’s still room for growth.

In a typical week, how much time do you think you save thanks to CiaoBooking?

We estimate that we save around 10 hours per week managing bookings and guest communication, thanks to CiaoBooking.

What new features would you like to see added in 2024?

We’d love to see:

• better integration with other software
• AI-based functionality
• improved fiscal management tools
• performance monitoring features
• an integrated RMS to analyze booking trends
• messaging tools for property owners
• and built-in mentorship and consulting programs

Have you already managed to reduce your reliance on OTAs, or is there more work to do?

In Florence, reducing OTA dependency is a key goal due to the complexity of the urban market.
That said, for now, we’re focusing more on:

• increasing occupancy rates
• optimizing our revenue management strategy
• and boosting overall productivity

But we definitely see CiaoBooking’s potential to help us disintermediate more in the future.

Conclusions

The GesTuris case shows how CiaoBooking can be a turning point for the short-term rental industry.
Thanks to its intuitive and customizable features, the platform lets operators focus on what truly matters: creating an unforgettable guest experience.

Emanuele Papi’s interview confirms that CiaoBooking is more than just software — it’s a true business growth partner.
The ability to save time, reduce errors, and increase bookings are just some of the clear benefits this tool offers.

Want to achieve the same great results? Contact us for a free demo!