Switzerland’s the Chedi Andermatt hotel has opened a virtual showroom for the property in Decentraland, where guests can book exclusive packages for real-life stays. Jenny Southan reports
In 2021, the Chedi Andermatt became the first Swiss hotel to accept payments in Bitcoin and Ethereum for on-site payments at the property. Now it is entering the metaverse.
Thanks to a partnership with digital payment provider Worldline, travellers are able to visit a new virtual showroom for the Chedi Andermatt in metaverse gaming platform Decentraland, where they will also be able to book three exclusive packages for future stays at the five-star hotel. They will also be able to pay with cryptocurrencies.
The Chedi says: “The metaverse is the internet of the future, overcoming the limits of today’s e-commerce platforms, aiming to facilitate payments and connetions between billions of people.
“Dubbed ‘Web 3.0’, the metaverse will extend the possibilities of work, socialising, shopping and payments in a three-dimensional virtual world. Worldline, already a leader in payment services, was the first payment provider to recognise the metaverse potential and create a showroom in this new universe.”
Jean-Yves Blatt, general manager for the Chedi Andermatt, tells Globetrender: “Our hotel is already seen as a pioneer in the digital world and we are now taking things a step further with our entry to the metaverse, and collaboration with Worldline.
“Now more than ever, the metaverse answers a need from discerning travellers seeking new and innovative experiences after over two years of travel restrictions, and we are proud to be the first Swiss Hotel to meet this demand.
“Not only does this introduction elevate our guests’ booking experience with a 3D showroom, but also incorporates an extra layer of practicality as the offers can be reserved with cryptocurrencies”.
The Chedi Andermatt is owned by billionaire Samih Sawiris, the youngest son of Egyptian construction magnate Onsi Sawiris. According to Forbes, he heads Orascom Development, which builds and operates resorts in Egypt, Montenegro, and Switzerland.