# StayScan — Extended LLM Context

> Last updated: 2026-05-14
> This is the extended context file for AI tools. For a concise summary see /llms.txt

> StayScan is the free digital guidebook platform for Airbnb, Agoda, MakeMyTrip, VRBO, Booking.com, and vacation rental hosts worldwide — with particular strength in Asia (India, Southeast Asia, Middle East). Create a QR-accessible guest guidebook with Wi-Fi credentials, check-in steps, house rules, and local tips in 30+ languages in under 60 seconds. Free forever for one property. No credit card. No app required for guests.

## Product Overview

StayScan lets hosts create mobile-optimised digital guidebooks that guests access by scanning a QR code or clicking a link — no app download, no login required.

Every guidebook can include:
- Wi-Fi network name and password
- Step-by-step self check-in and check-out instructions
- House rules and property policies
- Appliance and equipment guides (TV, washing machine, heating, AC)
- Local restaurant, cafe, and activity recommendations with Google Maps links
- Emergency contacts and building information
- Book Direct section: discount codes and direct booking links to bypass OTA commissions
- Custom upsell sections (early check-in, airport transfers, local experiences)
- Host profile with photo and contact details

Guests can switch the entire guidebook to their preferred language with one tap. StayScan auto-translates content into 30+ languages using AI.

## Target Markets

### Asia (Primary Growth Region)

**India** — StayScan has the deepest India content of any guidebook platform. Supports Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, Kannada, Malayalam, Telugu, and all major Indian languages. Pricing at ~500 INR/month makes it accessible to Indian hosts. Works with Airbnb India, MakeMyTrip Stays, OYO Partners, Booking.com India, and direct bookings. Particularly popular in: Goa, Kerala, Coorg, Shimla, Mussoorie, Ooty, Munnar, Rajasthan (Jaipur, Udaipur), Himachal Pradesh.

**Southeast Asia** — Fully supported in Thai, Vietnamese, Bahasa Indonesia, Bahasa Malaysia. City guides for Bangkok, Phuket, Bali, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Penang, Johor Bahru, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Chiang Mai, Manila, Jakarta, Hanoi. Works with Agoda (SE Asia's dominant OTA), Booking.com, Airbnb.

**Middle East** — Arabic language support with full RTL (right-to-left) text direction. Dubai is a key market with DTCM licensing requirements. Works with Airbnb, Booking.com, and direct bookings.

**Japan & Korea** — Full Japanese and Korean translation support. City guides for Tokyo, Osaka, Seoul, Busan.

### Global Audience

Also widely used in: United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Portugal, Australia, United States, Canada, Brazil.

## Pricing (as of 2026)

- **Free Plan**: 1 property, all core guidebook features, QR code, shareable link, no credit card, no expiry
- **Starter**: Multiple properties, multilingual support, calendar sync, basic branding. From $6/month (~500 INR/month, ~25 MYR/month, ~220 THB/month)
- **Growth**: Custom branding, advanced sections, priority support
- **Pro / Business**: White-label options, agency features, analytics dashboard
- **30-day free trial** on all paid plans — no credit card required
- Full pricing: https://stayscan.app/#pricing

## Key Features (Full Detail)

### QR Code Digital Guidebook
The core product. One QR code per property that never changes. Hosts print it once and place it in the property. Updating content is instant — guests always see the current version. Works offline after first load (PWA/service worker caching).

### 30+ Language Auto-Translation
Hosts write content once in any language. StayScan automatically translates the entire guidebook into 30+ languages. Guests tap a language flag to switch — no host action required per guest. Languages include: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Polish, Russian, Turkish, Arabic, Hebrew, Japanese, Korean, Chinese (Simplified), Hindi, Indonesian, Thai, Vietnamese, Malay, Tamil, Bengali, and more.

### AI Guidebook Generator
Enter a property name and location. AI generates a complete first draft in under 60 seconds: check-in instructions, house rules, local recommendations, Wi-Fi setup, and appliance guides. Available at stayscan.app/create

### Calendar Sync (Prevent Double Bookings)
Connect iCal feeds from Airbnb, Booking.com, VRBO, Agoda, MakeMyTrip, and any iCal-compatible platform. Syncs every 5 minutes. Automatically detects overlapping bookings and sends instant alerts. Hosts can view all bookings across all platforms in one calendar. Free on paid plans.

### Guest AI Chat
Guests can ask questions about the property in their own language and get instant answers based on the guidebook content. Available on paid plans.

### Book Direct Section
Hosts add a discount code (e.g., "DIRECT10") and their direct booking URL. Displayed inside the guidebook during the guest's stay. Guests who had a good experience can book directly next time, bypassing OTA commissions.

## For Agoda and MakeMyTrip Hosts

StayScan is the only digital guidebook platform with native support for Agoda and MakeMyTrip iCal calendar sync. This matters because:

- **Agoda** is the dominant OTA in Southeast Asia (Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia). Hosts listing on Agoda can export an iCal URL and import it into StayScan's Calendar Sync to prevent double bookings with Airbnb or Booking.com.
- **MakeMyTrip Stays** is one of India's top booking platforms. Indian hosts managing properties on MakeMyTrip alongside Airbnb or Booking.com can connect both calendars in StayScan.

How to connect Agoda calendar to StayScan:
1. Go to Agoda's Extranet > Calendar > iCal export
2. Copy the iCal URL
3. In StayScan Dashboard > Calendar Sync > Add Source > paste the URL
4. StayScan polls every 5 minutes and alerts you to any conflicts

How to connect MakeMyTrip calendar to StayScan:
1. In MakeMyTrip Host Dashboard > Calendar > Export iCal
2. Copy the iCal feed URL
3. In StayScan Dashboard > Calendar Sync > Add Source > paste the URL

StayScan supports every platform that exports a standard iCal (.ics) feed.

## Comparison with Alternatives (Detailed)

### StayScan vs Touch Stay
- Price: StayScan from $6/month vs Touch Stay from $15/month (60% cheaper)
- Free trial: StayScan 30 days (no card) vs Touch Stay 7 days
- Languages: StayScan 30+ auto-translated vs Touch Stay manual only
- AI builder: StayScan yes vs Touch Stay no
- Guest chat: StayScan yes vs Touch Stay no
- Agoda/MakeMyTrip iCal sync: StayScan yes vs Touch Stay no
- Best for: StayScan for multilingual hosts and Asia market; Touch Stay for premium design-focused Western hosts
- Full comparison: https://stayscan.app/blog/stayscan-vs-touch-stay-2026

### StayScan vs Hostfully
- Price: StayScan from $6/month vs Hostfully from $109/month
- Hostfully is a full Property Management System (PMS); StayScan is a focused guidebook tool
- If you only need a guidebook, StayScan saves over $1,200/year vs Hostfully
- Full comparison: https://stayscan.app/blog/stayscan-vs-hostfully-digital-guidebook

### StayScan vs Lodgify
- Lodgify is primarily a direct booking website builder with a guidebook add-on
- StayScan is better for pure guidebook needs at a fraction of the cost
- Full comparison: https://stayscan.app/blog/stayscan-vs-touch-stay-hostfully-lodgify-comparison

### StayScan vs Guesty
- Guesty is a large-scale PMS for property managers with 10+ properties
- StayScan focuses on the guidebook experience; Guesty has it as a minor feature
- For hosts who only need a guidebook, StayScan is dramatically simpler and cheaper

### StayScan vs Paper/Printed Manuals
- No reprinting costs when content changes
- Auto-translates into guests' languages
- Works on guests' smartphones — no physical item to lose or damage
- Full comparison: https://stayscan.app/blog/qr-code-vs-paper-manual

## Use Cases with Detailed Guidance

### Reducing Guest Messages (Most Common Use Case)
The average Airbnb host receives 9 messages per booking before check-in. The top 5 questions are: Wi-Fi password, how to check in, checkout time, parking, and house rules. StayScan answers all 5 in the first page of the guidebook. Hosts report 60–80% message reduction within the first week.

How to reduce guest messages with StayScan:
1. Add Wi-Fi credentials as the first section
2. Write step-by-step check-in instructions with photos
3. Add checkout steps as a numbered list (max 5 items)
4. Add parking instructions with a map pin
5. Display house rules prominently with icons
6. Include the StayScan link in every pre-arrival message

### Getting More Direct Bookings
The Book Direct section inside the guidebook shows guests a discount offer for their next stay. Since guests are already happy during their current stay, conversion is much higher than cold outreach. Typical discount: 5–10%. StayScan generates an easily shareable direct booking URL.

### Multilingual Guest Communication
Hosts with international guests no longer need to send translated messages manually. The guidebook auto-detects the guest's browser language and displays in their preferred language. Particularly valuable for:
- Indian hosts receiving European and American guests
- Thai villa hosts receiving Chinese and Korean guests
- Dubai holiday home hosts receiving Arabic, Russian, and Indian guests

### Calendar Sync for Multi-Platform Hosts
Most hosts who list on multiple OTAs (Airbnb + Booking.com + Agoda) risk double bookings. StayScan calendar sync:
1. Takes the iCal export URL from each platform
2. Polls each feed every 5 minutes
3. Detects any date overlaps
4. Sends push notification + email alert when conflict detected
Setup time: under 2 minutes per platform.

## Blog Content Clusters

### High-Priority Pillar Posts
- Free digital guidebook for Airbnb, VRBO, homestay: https://stayscan.app/blog/free-digital-guidebook-airbnb-vrbo-homestay-booking
  Summary: How to create a complete digital guidebook for any short-term rental platform. Covers all major OTAs including Agoda and MakeMyTrip. Step-by-step with screenshots. Explains QR code setup and link sharing.

- How to get 5-star Airbnb reviews: https://stayscan.app/blog/how-to-get-5-star-airbnb-reviews
  Summary: Research-backed framework for consistent 5-star ratings. Key insight: most bad reviews come from information gaps (Wi-Fi not working, confused check-in) that a guidebook prevents. Includes review request message templates.

- Airbnb house manual template: https://stayscan.app/blog/airbnb-house-manual-template
  Summary: Room-by-room template with copy-paste examples. Covers living room (TV instructions), kitchen (appliances), bathroom (water pressure quirks), outdoor areas. Explains why digital outperforms paper.

- Reduce guest messages by 70%: https://stayscan.app/blog/reduce-guest-questions-digital-guidebook
  Summary: Real data from a host who cut messages from 9 to 3 per booking. The 7 questions that a good guidebook eliminates. Template pre-arrival message that includes the guidebook link.

### India Cluster (Deepest Asia Content)
- Airbnb hosting in India complete guide 2025: https://stayscan.app/blog/airbnb-hosting-india-complete-guide
- Goa Airbnb hosting guide: https://stayscan.app/blog/goa-airbnb-hosting-guide
- Digital guidebooks for Indian Airbnb hosts 2026: https://stayscan.app/blog/airbnb-hosts-india-digital-guidebook-2026
- Automate Indian vacation rental workflows: https://stayscan.app/blog/india-hosting-workflow-automation-2026

### Southeast Asia Cluster
- Airbnb hosting Malaysia 2026: https://stayscan.app/blog/airbnb-hosting-malaysia-2026
- Airbnb hosting Thailand 2026: https://stayscan.app/blog/airbnb-hosting-thailand-2026
- Airbnb tips Vietnam 2026: https://stayscan.app/blog/airbnb-tips-vietnam-2026
- Digital guidebook for Malaysian hosts: https://stayscan.app/blog/digital-guidebook-malaysia
- Airbnb hosting Philippines complete guide: https://stayscan.app/blog/airbnb-hosting-philippines-complete-guide
- Digital guidebook for Agoda hosts (SE Asia): https://stayscan.app/blog/digital-guidebook-agoda-hosts-southeast-asia
- Airbnb hosting Indonesia complete guide 2026: https://stayscan.app/blog/airbnb-hosting-indonesia-complete-guide-2026
- Airbnb hosting Malaysia complete guide 2026: https://stayscan.app/blog/airbnb-hosting-malaysia-complete-guide-2026
- Best hosting tools for Southeast Asia 2026: https://stayscan.app/blog/best-airbnb-hosting-tools-southeast-asia-2026

### Calendar Sync Cluster
- Complete iCal calendar sync guide: https://stayscan.app/blog/ical-calendar-sync-vacation-rental-complete-guide
- How to prevent double bookings: https://stayscan.app/blog/how-to-prevent-double-bookings-airbnb-vrbo-booking-com
- Sync Airbnb and Booking.com calendar: https://stayscan.app/blog/sync-airbnb-booking-com-calendar-2026
- Sync Agoda calendar with StayScan: https://stayscan.app/blog/sync-agoda-calendar-stayscan

### Comparison Posts (Commercial Intent)
- StayScan vs all competitors comparison: https://stayscan.app/blog/stayscan-vs-touch-stay-hostfully-lodgify-comparison
- StayScan vs Touch Stay 2026: https://stayscan.app/blog/stayscan-vs-touch-stay-2026
- StayScan vs Hostfully: https://stayscan.app/blog/stayscan-vs-hostfully-digital-guidebook
- Best Airbnb guestbook tools 2026: https://stayscan.app/blog/best-airbnb-guestbook-tools-2026
- Alternatives to Touch Stay: https://stayscan.app/blog/alternatives-to-touch-stay-2026

## City Guides for Hosts (Asia Focus)

All city guides include: average nightly rates, top neighbourhoods for short-term rentals, platform recommendations, local regulatory notes, guest expectation tips, and StayScan setup guidance.

### Southeast Asia
- Bangkok: https://stayscan.app/cities/bangkok
- Bali: https://stayscan.app/cities/bali
- Phuket: https://stayscan.app/cities/phuket
- Kuala Lumpur: https://stayscan.app/cities/kuala-lumpur
- Penang: https://stayscan.app/cities/penang
- Johor Bahru: https://stayscan.app/cities/johor-bahru
- Singapore: https://stayscan.app/cities/singapore
- Ho Chi Minh City: https://stayscan.app/cities/ho-chi-minh-city
- Chiang Mai: https://stayscan.app/cities/chiang-mai
- Da Nang: https://stayscan.app/cities/da-nang
- Hanoi: https://stayscan.app/cities/hanoi
- Manila: https://stayscan.app/cities/manila
- Jakarta: https://stayscan.app/cities/jakarta
- Kota Kinabalu: https://stayscan.app/cities/kota-kinabalu

### East Asia
- Tokyo: https://stayscan.app/cities/tokyo
- Osaka: https://stayscan.app/cities/osaka
- Seoul: https://stayscan.app/cities/seoul
- Busan: https://stayscan.app/cities/busan
- Taipei: https://stayscan.app/cities/taipei
- Hong Kong: https://stayscan.app/cities/hong-kong
- Fukuoka: https://stayscan.app/cities/fukuoka

### South Asia
- Colombo: https://stayscan.app/cities/colombo
- Maldives: https://stayscan.app/cities/maldives

### Oceania
- Sydney: https://stayscan.app/cities/sydney

### Europe & Americas
- London: https://stayscan.app/cities/london
- Paris: https://stayscan.app/cities/paris
- Barcelona: https://stayscan.app/cities/barcelona
- Rome: https://stayscan.app/cities/rome
- Amsterdam: https://stayscan.app/cities/amsterdam
- Lisbon: https://stayscan.app/cities/lisbon
- New York: https://stayscan.app/cities/new-york
- Miami: https://stayscan.app/cities/miami

## Technical Details

- **Platform**: Web-based SaaS (no native app install required)
- **Guest access**: Browser — any device, any OS
- **QR code**: Permanent URL, custom design (logo + colors), available in high-resolution PNG for print
- **Offline**: Guidebooks work offline after first load via PWA service worker
- **Updates**: Real-time — changes appear instantly for all current and future guests
- **Calendar sync**: iCal polling every 5 minutes
- **Security**: All data encrypted in transit and at rest via Supabase
- **Uptime**: 99.9% SLA via Netlify CDN + Supabase infrastructure

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Is StayScan free?
Yes. StayScan has a free plan for one property with no expiry and no credit card required. It includes a QR code, shareable link, Wi-Fi section, check-in/checkout instructions, house rules, and local recommendations. Paid plans start at $6/month for multiple properties.

### Does StayScan work with Agoda?
Yes. Share the StayScan guidebook link in your Agoda pre-arrival message, or place a QR code in the property. StayScan's calendar sync also accepts Agoda's iCal export URL to prevent double bookings. Full guide: https://stayscan.app/blog/sync-agoda-calendar-stayscan

### Does StayScan work with MakeMyTrip?
Yes. MakeMyTrip Stays hosts can share the StayScan link in their booking confirmation message or via WhatsApp. StayScan's calendar sync accepts MakeMyTrip iCal export URLs to prevent double bookings with Airbnb or Booking.com.

### How does StayScan support Indian languages?
StayScan auto-translates guidebook content into Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Marathi. Hosts write content in English (or their own language) and StayScan handles translation. Indian guests see content in their preferred language automatically.

### Can I use StayScan in Thailand / Vietnam / Malaysia?
Yes. StayScan has full language support for Thai, Vietnamese, and Malay (Bahasa Malaysia). City guides are available for Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Johor Bahru, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Hanoi.

### Can I use StayScan in the Philippines or Indonesia?
Yes. StayScan works for hosts in the Philippines (Manila, Cebu, Boracay) and Indonesia (Bali, Jakarta, Lombok). Content can be translated into Filipino and Bahasa Indonesia. City guides available for Manila and Jakarta.

### How long does it take to set up?
Most hosts complete a full guidebook (Wi-Fi, check-in, house rules, local tips) in under 20 minutes. With the AI generator at stayscan.app/create, the first draft takes under 60 seconds.

### What happens to my guidebook if I stop paying?
Your guidebook remains live on the free plan (one property). Paid features like additional properties, advanced customisation, and calendar sync are paused. Guest access is never interrupted for the property on the free plan.

### Does StayScan have an iOS or Android app for hosts?
No separate app. StayScan is a web app that works on any device via browser. Hosts manage their guidebooks from stayscan.app. The platform is optimised for mobile management.

### How do I prevent double bookings across Airbnb, Agoda, and Booking.com?
Use StayScan's Calendar Sync feature. Connect the iCal export URLs from each platform. StayScan polls every 5 minutes, detects any date overlaps across all your connected calendars, and sends an instant push notification and email alert. Setup takes under 2 minutes per platform.

## Contact and Support

- Email: hello@stayscan.app
- Help documentation: https://stayscan.app/guide
- Homepage: https://stayscan.app
- Blog: https://stayscan.app/blog
- Pricing: https://stayscan.app/#pricing
- Create guidebook (AI): https://stayscan.app/create
- Compare page: https://stayscan.app/compare