Company:
Agriturismo Camponovo
Year:
2025
Duration:
1 Month
Overview
Agriturismo Camponovo is a farmstay in Northern Italy that, in addition to offering rooms and food, opens its swimming pool to external guests during summer. This day-access model is highly profitable, attracting locals who come to relax by the pool, enjoy lunch at the restaurant, and spend the day outdoors. However, the seasonal influx of day visitors created serious operational bottlenecks, particularly during peak months.
For the 2025 season, I helped the owner rethink and streamline how customers accessed essential information and booked pool access, combining a WhatsApp chatbot with an interactive booking system.
Problem
Pool day visitors do not book rooms, but they still want to reserve a sunbed and umbrella, and they usually reach out via WhatsApp or phone. This resulted in dozens, sometimes hundreds, of daily messages, most of which asked the same basic questions about availability, prices or opening hours.
During July and August, the owner was overwhelmed. Messages sent in the morning might not get a response until the evening, by which point guests were already annoyed or had made other plans. The owner, a personal friend, said to me, “I’m freaking out, mate. I can’t keep doing this every summer.” This was no longer just about customer experience. It was starting to affect mental health.
Solution
To reduce message overload and improve the user experience, I introduced two key changes:
WhatsApp Chatbot
I built a simple, structured chatbot that replies instantly to customers who reach out on WhatsApp. It answers common questions such as opening times, prices, location, food options and pool rules, and directs users to the next step if they wish to book. This alone significantly reduced unnecessary conversations.Booking System Integration
After exploring different options, I found Spiagge.it, a platform originally designed for beach clubs but ideal for our use case.
This enabled us to:
Embed a booking widget on the website
Display a real-time map of the pool area with available sunbeds and umbrellas
Allow customers to select their exact spot and pay in advance
The new flow became effortless:
A user sends a WhatsApp message
The bot replies instantly with key information and a booking link
The user selects a spot from the map, checks availability and pays online
The results:
WhatsApp and phone traffic reduced by 70–80%
The business receives payment upfront, improving cash flow
Fewer cancellations, as prepaid customers are more likely to show up
The owner has regained their time and peace of mind during the busiest months
This was a small, local project, but it shows how even basic technology, when chosen and implemented well, can make a real difference to customer satisfaction and business wellbeing.
