Employing a receptionist at a hotel or guesthouse is a big step - you are putting another person in charge of guest contact, handling bookings and often...
(Based on analysis of Google and Booking.com reviews) The guest leaves, smiles when saying goodbye, says "it was great"... and then leaves a rating....
In a world where every day is a race against time, communicating quickly and effectively with guests is not a luxury - it's a necessity. Mail? It can get lost...