Gausta’s Digital Transformation: Shaping a Seamless Guest Experience
Nestled in the heart of Telemark, Norway, Gausta has evolved from a classic high-mountain hotel into a year-round resort offering alpine adventures, local gastronomy, and premium hospitality. Crucial to this is the interlink between GetFOOD and Visit Group’s PMS – VisBook.
From Ski Lodge to International Resort
The transformation began in 2018 with new ownership and a vision to create a globally appealing destination rooted in local character.
“We’ve gone from a classic high-mountain hotel to becoming a resort,” says Henrik, who has worked at Gausta for eight years. “The goal has been to develop a year-round destination of world-class standard.”
The shift to year-round operations introduced complexity across departments, from accommodation to food and activities, demanding greater efficiency and consistency.
VisBook: The Operational Core
To support this growth, Gausta adopted VisBook. Previously dependent on fragmented tools, the resort struggled with coordination. VisBook provides a central platform that ensures accurate billing, real-time updates, and seamless communication.
“The reason we started with VisBook was that we could get a PMS and restaurant system in one,” Henrik explains. “Accommodation and food experiences are so closely linked here.”
The result? Fewer manual errors, faster service, and a smoother guest experience from booking to check-out.
GetFOOD: Speeding Up the Dining Experience
To improve dining efficiency, especially during peak ski hours, Gausta introduced GetFOOD, a Norwegian start-up mobile-first ordering system that utilizes QR codes.
“When you arrive in the winter with all your ski gear and want lunch, you want it quickly,” says Henrik. “That’s when QR codes are so smooth. GetFOOD made that possible.”
Before GetFOOD, guests’ orders were often delayed, and kitchens were overwhelmed. Now, orders are automatically routed to the correct kitchen or bar and integrated into VisBook, reducing delays and errors.
Empowered Staff and Smarter Operations
These benefits extend to the staff. At Stova, one of Gausta’s slopeside restaurants, the Restaurant Manager now leads a team with real-time access to inventory and menus, allowing them to react quickly and avoid overselling.
“For frontline staff, they are systems that give them confidence – they’re not selling something we don’t have,” says Henrik.
GetFOOD has also opened the door to room service and takeaway options. The team is piloting new use cases like bakery ordering, where long queues have historically slowed service.
Although efficiency was the primary goal, guest spending increased too. With no need to wait for a server, guests often re-order during meals—boosting average spend without added staff pressure.
Conclusion: Efficiency Meets Experience
By integrating VisBook and GetFOOD, Gausta has improved operations and guest satisfaction—delivering a seamless experience across every touchpoint.
“It’s been an extremely cool journey to be a part of,” Henrik concludes. “We’re still developing, but now we have the systems and the team to take it to the next level.”
