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Travel TechLab by Hotelbeds is the innovation lab of Hotelbeds, powered by Wayra. The lab seeks to constantly re-imagine the world of travel by finding new ways to help our customers succeed, and to enable our business partners to achieve their goals.

As part of our ongoing mission to co-innovate with startup partners to deliver impactful, customer-focused experiences, products and platforms which reshape the travel industry, the Lab hosted a Pitch Day Challenge. Startups from around the world were invited to showcase the forward-looking ways in which their products and services are providing solutions to real-life challenges currently being faced within the industry.

In this ‘Spotlight On’ blog series, we’ll be shining a light on each of the four start-ups that were shortlisted during this Pitch Day Challenge, to bring their work to the forefront of the travel industry’s focus.

This first ‘Spotlight On’ will explore the journey of Smartvel, a B2B SaaS company working within the travel industry to improve customer experience and SEO through the use of AI-powered digital solutions and high-quality content that resonates with their clients’ audiences, to ultimately drive increased sales and brand awareness.

We spoke to founders Iñigo Valenzuela and Esperanza Zarauz about the company, their mission, and the solutions they’re bringing to the industry.

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Can you describe the genesis of Smartvel as a startup, including the idea that sparked its creation?

Smartvel was founded by Iñigo Valenzuela and Esperanza Zarauz. Both with C-level experience, we thought it was the right time to start our own adventure. Iñigo worked for many years in companies such as Marsans and CWT, and Esperanza in the media industry at Prisa and WPP. The beginnings were a rollercoaster, with ups and downs that involved discovering just how difficult it is to create a B2B solution in the travel industry, whilst always looking for technological advantages that would make our company stand out from the rest.

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We started Smartvel because we wanted to start our own company, and we thought it was the perfect dynamic for both of us. The genesis of the idea was that, as an industry, we had not solved the problem of how to properly inform the end traveller and provide real consulting added value in one part of the travel journey: information about the destination. 

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Companies were focused on their own products instead of adding value in this area. We thought that inspiration drives sales and value, and that there was an opportunity to build a global trusted solution for that.

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Can you articulate Smartvel’s mission as a company and its long-term vision, outlining the problems it seeks to solve, and the opportunities it presents?

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Our mission is to improve our clients' customer experience and SEO through AI-powered digital solutions and meaningful content, resulting in increased sales and brand awareness across the entire customer journey.

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We’re present at the top of the funnel, or the ‘inspiration’ phase; in the pre-departure phase, or in pre-departure emails; and also at the destination, with different solutions for each interaction.

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We offer the unique blend of a technology company and a content company, using technology to create content in a more targeted and efficient way. But at the same time, we have a relevant team of copywriters who create content at scale using technology as a critical tool.

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How does Smartvel fit into the larger industry landscape, and what is its growth potential?

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We want to be the reference in the industry when it comes to travel content, understood as information for the traveller. The market is huge, and we are very happy to partner with Hotelbeds as we think it is the perfect fit for us to support our growth in different verticals like hotels, travel agencies and DMOs.&nbsp; 

We have customers on every continent, although we have been focusing more on the airline industry lately, so we think that hotels offer the best opportunity for global growth.

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What is your unique value proposition, and how does it set you apart from the competition?

We offer the best content with a mature travel tech company that provides customisation in content and products, detail, expertise, and a range of solutions that fit with the overall strategy of the industry. 

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Tell us about the innovative solutions that Smartvel offers!

First, there are our Destination Content solutions, with everything there is to do in a destination, with POIs, restaurants, events like music, sports and culture, and any layer of content that our customers want to integrate, such as tours and activities, their own products, et cetera.

Second, we have our ‘EntryDocs’ solution, where we provide all the information needed to make a trip from A to B, taking into account nationality and residence.&nbsp; We provide health documents and visa requirements to take the stress out of travelling, and use technology to detect changes in these requirements. We read the official websites every hour to see if anything has changed.

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Who is your target audience, and what are the specific needs or pain points that your offerings address? 

As a B2B SaaS company in the travel industry, we work with all players, from the suppliers of the final product, such as airlines, hotels, car rentals; to the classic intermediaries, like travel agencies, tour operators and bed banks; and all the different technology players around them, such as GDSs and tech providers. We also work with DMOs and other segments such as insurance or F&amp;B.

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Tell us about Smartvel’s accomplishments and milestones. What are your current significant achievements to date?

If we had to name our most important milestones, we would be remiss not to talk about how we achieved a positive EBITDA and operating cash flow, which is very important for any company – but for a startup, this is the difference between ‘life’ and ‘death’. We have also achieved significant global MkShare in some of our products. For example, with EntryDocs, we’ve reached a total global MkShare of international travellers of 30%.&nbsp; 

As a company, we believe one of our biggest achievements is that we have, and continue to maintain, a strong culture in times of uncertainty and change, such as COVID or remote working, where innovation, and product change mindsets are key. That we also have a positive churn figure – which means that upsells from current customers exceed losses of portfolio – &nbsp;means a healthy portfolio of customers.

Another of our biggest achievements is being able to work with some of the most respected and biggest brands in the industry as a relatively small company (50 FTE). We always say that having demanding customers makes us a better company. Not to mention completing our first M&amp;A, by buying a direct competitor! 

How do you foster innovation, as a company?

Innovation is a challenge for any company, and it is exactly the same for a startup. We have some advantages, especially size and agility, but there are many risks: we can't fail too often to be generous; cash is king and can easily shut down your company; and the trade-off between talent and salary is complex to manage.

Our key to success, if you can call it success, has been to look for the best team, create a culture of transparency and excellence, and always look for new opportunities. What was a disruptive solution at a certain moment will become a difficult market over time. The only solution is to generate change, to be really open to it, and to create new solutions together with our customers.

We use the classic agile approach, so we are not very original. Of course, we do quarterly reviews of our strategic plan, reviewing and updating the mid- and long-term priorities.

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Meet the team at Smartvel



Pictured left to right - Iñigo Valenzuela, CEO; María Liniers, CCO; Belén Romero, COO; Esperanza Zarauz, CFO; Miguel Camacho, CTO

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&nbsp;

TRAVELTECH LAB BY HOTELBEDS

We explore the intersection of emerging technology and travel, to build innovative products and consumer experiences all whilst engineering solutions that advance Hotelbeds’ innovation agenda, and better the lives of our customers.

We’re firm believers that in a collaborative environment, it’s all about exploring new horizons to future-proof our business and drive digital transformation.

Learn more about our work here.


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Spotlight on Smartvel

Palma, Spain, 27 November 2023 – This week, the MarketHub Asia by Hotelbeds 2023 event in Bangkok sparked dynamic and in-depth discussions among industry leaders, paving the way for insights into the future trajectory of the tourism sector under the theme “'Where Next?”. Influential figures and top industry leaders delved into crucial topics spanning from data and technology to the profound influence of the workforce.

Amidst substantial disruptions in the tourism sector, Hotelbeds reveals essential insights drawn from its flagship event – a narrative poised to substantially shape the industry’s trajectory for years, if not decades, to come:

Projected Workforce Expansion

The global tourism sector is projected to generate a staggering 110 million new jobs in the coming decade, according to the World Travel &amp; Tourism Council, with the Asia-Pacific region poised to contribute nearly 70% of these opportunities. This surge is attributed to the robust economic expansion in the area and the burgeoning middle-class populations, both factors driving substantial growth within the tourism job market.

The Traveller of Tomorrow 

A growing trend among travel agencies reveals that up to 90% now seek personalised solutions, catering to a rising demand for individualised and seamlessly tailored experiences by travellers. Hotelbeds reports that these end customers are not just after essential services such as insurance and financial provisions; they seek comprehensive travel packages that offer 24/7 customer support and assistance in local languages.

Moreover, the wellness tourism sector is experiencing a surge as travellers increasingly prioritise achieving a harmonious internal and external balance in their lives. Simultaneously, addressing environmental impact becomes a primary focus in the tourism sector, driving the prominence of sustainable travel practices. With 70% of travellers anticipating more eco-conscious offerings, the momentum for environmentally-friendly travel continues to intensify.

Emotion is the New Brand Standard

A significant shift in young consumers' preferences is evident, with approximately 60% of Millennials and Gen Zs prioritising superior services over price, seeking experiences that create lasting memories during their trips, according to data from Skift. This changing sentiment and the accompanying high expectations are driving the need for innovative business models. These models are leveraging the transformative potential of AI within the travel industry, not only optimising developer workflows but also enhancing customer support, managing reputation, and refining accommodation search functionalities.

Asia is a tech leader

Asia is 10 years ahead when it comes to technology, and consumers are demanding new travel products, including those in the Fintech arena. The audience also heard that it is important to embrace technology, including artificial intelligence and augmented reality, but it’s important to ensure that data quality is high first.

“MarketHub Asia assembled trailblazers from the Asia-Pacific region and beyond to explore the future of travel,” said Carlos Munoz, Chief Commercial Officer of HBX Group. “Under the theme ‘Where Next?’, we delved into the future of tourism amidst significant disruptions, unearthing pivotal insights that will chart the industry’s trajectory for years to come. What emerged was a new wave of excitement and optimism for the future. We’re proud that this event is leading the charge towards a truly innovative era in travel.”

For more information about MarketHub Asia, please visit the website.

###

About Hotelbeds 

Hotelbeds, part of HBX Group, are global leaders in the TravelTech space, connecting and empowering businesses by facilitating bridges in the ever-changing and expanding travel ecosystem. Our cloud-based technology platforms offer fast and simple access to a global network of travel products, from accommodation to ancillaries and payments, while rich data and intelligence helps to generate demand. By operating exclusively in the B2B arena, we are uniquely placed to drive growth for our partners without competing for the end customer. Our teams of 3000+ experts on the ground provide local expertise and support to boost trading even further, even in the most hard-to-reach spaces. Our unique blend of technology, data and passionate people serve as a catalyst for B2B travel players aiming to unlock their full potential.


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MarketHub Asia 2023 Revolutionises the Future of Travel: Charting Tomorrow's Global Landscape

Travel TechLab by Hotelbeds is the innovation lab of Hotelbeds, powered by Wayra, which seeks to constantly re-imagine the world of travel by finding new ways to help our customers succeed, and our business partners achieve their goals.

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As part of our ongoing mission to co-innovate with startup partners in order to deliver impactful, customer-focused experiences, products and platforms which reshape the travel industry, earlier this year TravelTech Lab by Hotelbeds hosted a Pitch Day Challenge, where startups from around the world were invited to showcase the myriad, forward-looking ways their products and services are providing solutions to real-life challenges currently being faced within the industry.

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In this ‘Spotlight On’ blog series, we’ll be shining the light of attention on each of the start-ups that were shortlisted during this Pitch Day Challenge, to bring their work to the forefront of the travel industry’s focus.

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The second in this series, this ‘Spotlight On’ will focus on the development of Grain from its beginning to fully formed start-up, which captured our attention thanks to its embedded cross-currency solution that protects travel platforms and their customers from FX volatility.

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We spoke to founders Dor Golan, Michal Beinisch, Aharon Navon and Nir Galon, all entrepreneurs with previous experience at Barclays, Deutsche Bank and other prominent fintech start-ups, to get some insight into their journey, their mission, and how they’re working to bring smarter fintech solutions to the industry.

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Can you describe the genesis of the start-up, including the idea that sparked its creation?&nbsp;

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The genesis of the startup Grain can be traced back to the challenges posed by the volatile nature of foreign exchange (FX) rates, especially during times of geopolitical conflicts, political instability, and economic downturns. This volatility significantly impacts global transactions, creating a substantial risk of value changes between the initiation of a deal and the completion of its payment.&nbsp;

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Recognising the growing need for effective hedging solutions to minimise this financial risk, Grain was conceptualised. The startup's mission is to empower B2B software platforms and marketplaces by providing them with the tools to offer cross-currency hedging at attractive prices. A key feature of Grain's innovation lies in its fully automated risk assessment process, which delivers optimised custom pricing. This approach ensures that businesses can safeguard their transactions against the unpredictability of FX rates, thereby securing their financial stability.



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Can you articulate for us Grain’s mission and long-term vision, outlining the problems that it seeks to solve?&nbsp;

Our mission at Grain is to empower businesses with technology and financial solutions that were previously inaccessible to them. We provide newfound financial certainty, ensuring that enterprises can navigate cross-border challenges with confidence. Through the solution of automated hedging tools, we eliminate currency risk efficiently and effectively, catering to businesses of all sizes.

As we look ahead, we're committed to pioneering tailored solutions for diverse industries, catering to the unique needs of sectors such as travel, supply chains, e-commerce, and accounting platforms. It was important to us that at Grain, our customers’ journey to financial empowerment is underpinned by innovation and precision.

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How does Grain align with the larger industry landscape and what is its potential for growth?

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Grain provides comprehensive FX solutions to enhance travel platforms. We understand that within the travel sector, grappling with slim profit margins and elevated cancellation rates is commonplace. In response, Grain presents a pragmatic resolution through its embedded cross-currency framework.

One prominent industry practice involves hedging net amounts after accounting for cancellations. However, this strategy often falls short in providing comprehensive financial protection for travel platforms. Herein lies the differentiating factor of Grain – offering holistic hedging across all transactions, cancellations included.

Our approach not only fortifies travel platforms against FX risks but extends this safeguard to encompass their clients as well. This dual protective shield allows for the secure locking of currency rates, bolstering business stability for both parties.

Moreover, by leveraging Grain's FX proficiency, travel platforms can forego the need for supplementary price markups, fostering a heightened competitive edge.

Central to our offering is the Grain FX solution, enhanced by Machine Learning capabilities. This automated technology enables businesses to minimise the operational burden of tailoring, executing and managing&nbsp; hedging strategies. Grain’s solution fully offloads the entire FX hedging risk away from our customers. Grain provides full visibility of execution prices, via a user friendly dashboard, a transparent and comprehensive view of transaction currency exposure.

By revolutionising established norms for travel platforms, Grain envisions a landscape where attainable profitability coexists with mitigated currency fluctuations. Moreover, by addressing the intricacies of cancellations, we ensure that the financial resilience of both travel platforms and clients remains intact.

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What is your unique value proposition, and how does it set you apart from the competition?

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We differentiate ourselves from our competitors through various key factors which are central to our offering:

Hedging 100% of transactions - Conventional practices of hedging net amounts post-cancellations offer limited financial protection for travel platforms. In contrast, Grain provides complete hedging for all transactions, including cancellations, ensuring enhanced risk coverage.

Reduced Hedging Costs - Grain's automated platform empowers cost-efficient hedging compared to existing solutions, resulting in lower overall hedging expenses.

Localised Currency Charging - By locking in exchange rates at booking time, Grain enables travel platforms to bill end-consumers in their local currency, facilitating ease of transactions.

Pricing Optimisation - Leveraging extensive data analysis, Grain's API tailors hedge pricing based on individual customer profiles. This approach, informed by factors like historical currency trends and past cancellations, optimises pricing accuracy.

Zero setup costs, no hidden fees - Grain boasts a zero-cost setup and maintains a fee-free subscription model, ensuring transparency and cost-effectiveness from the outset.

Charge in local currencies. Get paid in functional currencies - Empowering software platforms and marketplaces, Grain allows them to charge customers in their preferred currency while receiving payments in their functional currency.&nbsp;

Risk-Free Assurance - Grain assumes the role of the principal risk taker, providing transactional rate guarantees for complete risk mitigation.

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Tell us about the innovative solutions that Grain offers!

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Grain’s Embedded Cross Currency Solution introduces a robust approach to FX risk management tailored for travel platforms. This solution is designed to address the challenges of FX volatility by providing a mechanism for travel platforms and their clients to lock in currency rates.

Powered by advanced Machine Learning technology, our solution offers an adaptive approach that considers historical trends and market dynamics. This ensures that travel platforms can implement effective hedging strategies that align with evolving financial landscapes.

Moreover, the solution incorporates a valuable side functionality known as Exposure Analysis. This tool offers a dashboard presenting transaction volatility, providing travel platforms with insights to make informed decisions about risk management.

The Embedded Cross Currency Solution is a pragmatic response to the complexities of currency fluctuations. By merging automated processes with intelligent analysis, it equips travel platforms with the means to confidently navigate FX volatility, offering stability and control in an unpredictable environment.

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Who is your target audience, and what are the specific needs or pain points that your offerings address? &nbsp;

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We have several target audiences, all with unique pain points which Grain seeks to resolve with its comprehensive technology and financial solutions.

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1. CFOs of Travel Platforms

Pain Points: CFOs of travel platforms wrestle with the persistent spectre of financial uncertainty propelled by FX volatility, a challenge compounded by the industry's slender profit margins. The imperative to secure revenue streams amid currency fluctuations remains a top priority.

How Our Solution Helps:&nbsp;

Enter our Embedded Cross Currency Solution, equipped with an automated hedging mechanism that empowers CFOs to lock in currency rates. This infusion of stability not only counters risk but amplifies financial assurance in the face of dynamic FX markets. Moreover, our Exposure Analysis tool further fortifies their position by delivering unparalleled transparency into FX volatility across all transactions.

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2. Heads of Product

Pain Points: Heads of Product grapple with the intricate choreography of optimising user experiences within multifaceted cross-currency transactions. The uphill task lies in orchestrating seamless booking and payment journeys harmonised with diverse currencies.

How Our Solution Helps:

Our offering, while indirectly assisting Heads of Product, empowers travel platforms to bill end-consumers in local currency through secure, locked-in exchange rates. This augmentation in user-friendliness and clarity significantly enhances the booking process, ensuring positive experiences.

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Tell us about Grain’s accomplishments and milestones. What are your current significant achievements to date?

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At Grain, our dedication to fintech innovation has earned us a position of distinction. We proudly stand as pioneers in the travel industry, and our journey has been marked by a remarkable achievement.&nbsp;

Out of a competitive pool of over 60 companies, we were selected as the sole fintech startup in the groundbreaking TravelTech Lab by Hotelbeds challenge. This recognition not only validates our unwavering commitment but also emphasises our role as leaders in reshaping the travel industry through cutting-edge fintech solutions.

We have forged strong partnerships with renowned global bed banks, empowering them with our embedded FX solution to safeguard both their operations and their clients from FX risk.

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Give us some insight into your company culture and brand values. How do you foster innovation, as a company?

Our brand values:

You Come First - We care about our customers. We are focused on providing value and helping our customers succeed.&nbsp;

You’re in Good Hands - We are experts in our field, we are passionate about what we do, and we are committed to protecting your interests.&nbsp;

We Dare to Do the Right Thing - We challenge the status quo in the pursuit of excellence to always provide the best solutions.&nbsp;

We Get Things Done - We are efficient and effective on our mission to simplify an overly complex world.

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A closer look at Grain’s unique solutions:

Discover more about Grain’s cross-currency solutions in this quick video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-CiQ2DTxqc&nbsp;

&nbsp;



&nbsp;

TRAVELTECH LAB BY HOTELBEDS

We explore the intersection of emerging technology and travel, to build innovative products and consumer experiences all whilst engineering solutions that advance Hotelbeds’ innovation agenda, and better the lives of our customers.

We’re firm believers that in a collaborative environment, it’s all about exploring new horizons to future-proof our business and drive digital transformation.

Learn more about our work here.

&nbsp;


Spotlight On Grain

Palma, Spain, 14 November 2023 – As industry leaders prepare for MarketHub Asia next week, Hotelbeds promises to uncover the latest and most crucial trends in the world of travel with the presence of renowned speakers such as Google, Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) and the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA). 

During the two-day conference, thought leaders will dive into the evolution of travellers, focusing on the growing importance of sustainable and responsible travel, as well as data-driven consumer decision-making. 

“The packed agenda for MarketHub Asia, featuring world-leading organisations shows the value this event has for leaders across the travel industry” said Carlos Muñoz, Chief Commercial of HBX Group, parent company of Hotelbeds. “It promises to be an insightful event covering the hottest topics such as the power of personalisation of experiences, the benefits of collaboration to foster innovation and much more .” 

Fostering global collaboration and knowledge-sharing among the 400 attendees from 16 countries across Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, the event will take place from November 21-23 at the Amari Bangkok Hotel. 

MarketHub Asia will not only offer a world-class conference programme but will also provide a unique platform for networking. &nbsp;Supported by select sponsors including ONYX Hospitality Group, NH Hotels (part of Minor), Clermont Hotel Group, Accor, Visit Hungary, Rixos Hotels and Titanic Hotels, MarketHub Asia is an exclusive, invitation-only event that brings together Hotelbeds’ strategic partners and clients.

For more information about the MarketHub Asia, please visit the website.

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###

About Hotelbeds

Hotelbeds are global leaders in the TravelTech space, connecting and empowering businesses by facilitating bridges in the ever-changing and expanding travel ecosystem. Our cloud-based technology platforms offer fast and simple access to a global network of travel products, from accommodation to ancillaries and payments, while rich data and intelligence helps to generate demand. By operating exclusively in the B2B arena, we are uniquely placed to drive growth for our partners without competing for the end customer. Our teams of 3000+ experts on the ground provide local expertise and support to boost trading even further, even in the most hard-to-reach spaces. Our unique blend of technology, data and passionate people serves as a catalyst for B2B travel players aiming to unlock their full potential.

Follow us: 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hotelbeds

Twitter: @Hotelbeds

Facebook: Hotelbeds

Instagram: @hotelbeds_official

Hotelbeds Media Contact

PR &amp; Media Relations&nbsp; 

Clara Truyols – clatruyols@hotelbeds.com

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Raising the bar in travel and tourism: MarketHub Asia in Bangkok

Palma, Spain, 13 November, 2023 —The TravelTech Lab by HBX Group has joined Mastercard’s Tourism Innovation Hub (the Hub), while Mastercard has joined HBX Group’s TravelTech Lab, to collaborate on accelerating innovation in the travel and tourism sector.


With HBX Group’s TravelTech Lab and Mastercard’s Global Tourism Innovation Hub based in Spain, the companies share a joint commitment to provide a springboard for emerging innovation and tech talent to the world. Together, over the next three years they will share knowledge, industry insights and collaborate on sustainability and inclusive tourism projects, to support the future of the industry.


“Our new membership in Mastercard’s Tourism Innovation Hub will help us accelerate our goal to provide frictionless end-to-end travel for everyone,” said José María Pestaña Sartorius, Chief Innovation Officer at HBX Group. “Since the TravelTech Lab by HBX Group launched earlier this year, we have established ourselves in the travel innovation ecosystem by joining forces with world-renowned institutions who share our vision and mission.”


“Mastercard’s Tourism Innovation Hub has become a trusted collaborator across the public and private sectors in developing more sustainable and resilient tourism globally, “said Quim Martinez Bosch, Vice President, Tourism Innovation Hub at Mastercard. “We look forward to working with HBX Group to co-create innovative solutions for destinations around the world, focused on connecting and empowering businesses and local communities.”


While the TravelTech Lab by HBX Group opened earlier this year to reimagine tourism and improve the overall travel experience, Mastercard’s Global Tourism Innovation Hub works with governments, public sector agencies and private sector companies to accelerate their digitalisation efforts, as well as innovate, research, and co-create solutions across the tourism ecosystem.


Recent additions to the Hub include the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Kazakh Tourism National Company. They join existing Tourism Innovation Hub members including the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Spain’s SEGITTUR, and the Global Travel Resilience &amp; Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC) of Jamaica.


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About the TravelTech Lab by HBX Group The TravelTech Lab by HBX Group is on a mission to re-imagine the world of travel. The Lab’s creation was driven by a passion for innovation in product development and finding new ways to use technology to create frictionless travel for all. We explore the intersection of emerging technology and travel to revolutionise both the product offering and the consumer experience, whilst engineering solutions which advance HBX Group’s agenda to change the way that tomorrow’s travellers move, connect and explore. We do this by co-innovating with trail-blazing start-ups and like-minded partners who are focused on collaboration and have a disruptive mindset. The TravelTech Lab by HBX Group is where cutting-edge ideas can soar. We create breakthrough products, platforms and services by exploring new horizons to drive digital transformation within the travel industry.


To find out more, visit https://www.traveltechlab.net/


Press contact
Clara Truyols Nadal
clatruyols@hotelbeds.com


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HBX Group and Mastercard join forces to further innovation in the tourism sector

Travel TechLab by Hotelbeds is the innovation lab of Hotelbeds, part of HBX Group, and powered by Wayra, which seeks to constantly re-imagine the world of travel by finding new ways to help our customers succeed and our business partners achieve their goals.

As part of our ongoing mission to co-innovate with startup partners in order to deliver impactful, customer-focused experiences, products and platforms which reshape the travel industry, earlier this year TravelTech Lab by Hotelbeds hosted a Pitch Day Challenge, where startups from around the world were invited to showcase the myriad, forward-looking ways their products and services are providing solutions to real-life challenges currently being faced within the industry.

In this ‘Spotlight On’ blog series, we’ll be shining the light of attention on each of the four start-ups that were shortlisted during this Pitch Day Challenge, to bring their work to the forefront of the travel industry’s focus.

This time, we’re diving into the journey of Chekin, a promising start-up that has captured our attention thanks to its unique technological solutions which help professionals and hosts to optimise the entire process of vacation rental management, covering crucial stages such as: online guest registration, OCR scanner for guest ID, identity verification, sending data to authorities, customised rental contracts and digital signatures, upselling, tourist taxes, customised communications with guests, online payments, damage protection, remote access and much more. 

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Can you describe the genesis of the start-up, including the idea that sparked its creation?

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Chekin, a Sevilla-based startup founded in 2017, started on a mission to streamline the guest registration process within tourist accommodations. Its founder and CEO, Carlos Lagares, created Chekin from his years of property management experience with a clear objective: eradicate manual check-in procedures. 

The first version, named the "chekin app," allowed guests to complete online forms prior to arrival and simplified the creation of guest's registration report and mandatory legal documents. In line with Chekin's expansion, the company's portfolio grew to cover full automation of the entire process. The company started with a basic product, but surprisingly managed to attract more than 600 establishments in a short period of time. 

Despite its humble beginnings, the derivation of the word "check-in" to "chekin" resulted in a brand that strongly resonated in the global hospitality industry. Today, Chekin stands as a leading company, fundamentally reshaping how the hospitality industry navigates the complexities of guest check-in. Its innovative approach has enhanced guest experiences while empowering hosts to channel their efforts into exceptional service delivery and revenue maximisation. 

Driven by a bold vision to establish global dominance in all aspects of the check-in process, Chekin continues to make giant strides in the lodging sector. 

&nbsp;

Can you articulate for us Chekin’s mission and long-term vision, outlining the problems it seeks to solve and opportunities it presents?

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Mission:

At Chekin, our mission is to redefine and streamline the check-in experience for the lodging industry through our innovative online check-in solution. We are dedicated to enhancing guest satisfaction and operational efficiency for lodging businesses of all sizes. By offering a user-friendly platform that simplifies the check-in process, we aim to empower both guests and property owners, ensuring a seamless and personalised arrival experience that sets the tone for a delightful stay.

Vision:

Our vision at Chekin is to be the foremost provider of online check-in solutions tailored for the lodging sector, recognised for our commitment to excellence and technological innovation. We envision a future where every lodging establishment, from boutique hotels to large resorts, seamlessly integrates our platform to offer guests a contactless and efficient check-in process. By continuously evolving our technology and collaborating closely with our partners, we strive to shape the future of guest experiences in the lodging industry, setting new benchmarks for convenience, accessibility, and guest satisfaction.

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How does Chekin align with the larger industry landscape, and what is its potential for growth?

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Chekin meets the rising demand for automated check-ins in hospitality. With its versatile solution and a focus on guest satisfaction, time-saving, and legal compliance, Chekin has substantial growth potential in a thriving global hospitality market. Its comprehensive approach and automation align well with the evolving lodging landscape, positioning Chekin to shape the future of guest experiences in the industry.

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What is your unique value proposition, and how does it set your start-up apart from competitors?

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There is no standard solution that provides the enabling technology to automate the entire guest registration process, from booking confirmation till check-out. 

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Tell us about the innovative solutions or products that your start-up offers!

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- Check-in online: Once the reservation is confirmed, guests will receive a link that will lead them to online check-in, where they will complete the registration process. Easy, fast and simple. 

- Check-in onsite: Capture your guests’ data instantly through our OCR ID scanner. - Identity Verification: We offer you the most advanced biometric match technology, which will allow businesses to verify the identity of their guests remotely at any time. 

- Remote Access: Businesses will save hundreds of hours by not having to move to the property to deliver or collect the keys. 

- Legal: Once your guests have completed the online check-in, we generate the guest's registration slips and automatically send them to the competent authorities within 24 hours of the check-in date, as required by law. Chekin is the only one addressing the fragmented regulations of different countries. 

- Rental contracts and digital sign: We offer customisable leases for each property, allowing the addition of as many clauses as required. During online check-in, guests will be able to digitally sign the contract, which will be saved in the dashboard in the “Documents” section. 

- Upselling: Revolutionise the experience of each guest, increase the benefits of each reservation, get better reviews and get more direct reservations. 

- Tourist taxes: The calculation of tourist taxes is a complex and tedious process, and many parameters are involved that vary between regions and countries. Our software calculates them automatically. 

- Customised guest communications: Customise and create templates with all the information to be sent to guests. Choose when guests should receive these communications, and we will send them automatically.

- Online Payments: Manage and automate all guest payments from the Chekin dashboard.

- Damage Protection: The damage protection program provides peace of mind for businesses and their guests, while generating more income from each reservation. Chekin is the only one to address all check-in stages! 

&nbsp;

Who is your target audience and describe the specific needs or pain points that your offering addresses? 

&nbsp;

Our solutions can assist businesses within the lodging sector, from smaller to large-scale vacation rentals, hotels, camps, and other tourist accommodations worldwide. 

&nbsp;

Tell us about Chekin’s accomplishments and milestones. What are your current significant achievements to date? 

&nbsp;

* +22.000 properties that use us. 

* + 6.000.000 check-ins completed. 

* +20 implemented countries. 

* + 50 PMS and Smart lock solutions integrated. 



&nbsp;

Can you provide metrics or data to demonstrate the company's progress and impact? 

We achieved significant growth, from less than 50k to almost 80k MRR in one year, and despite the summer low season, our MRR continues to grow. Over less than a year we have increased the number of active properties in Chekin from 16K to 31K. 



&nbsp;

Give us some insight into your company culture and brand values. How do you fister innovation, as a company? 

&nbsp;

At Chekin, our approach to fostering innovation is deeply ingrained in our company culture. We recognise that innovation is not just about developing groundbreaking products and solutions but also about cultivating an environment where creativity thrives, and every team member feels empowered to contribute their ideas. 

Here's a glimpse into our strategy for fostering innovation: 

1. Encouraging Open Communication: We believe that great ideas can come from anyone, regardless of their position within the company. We encourage open communication across all levels, ensuring that every team member's voice is heard. Regular brainstorming sessions, idea-sharing platforms, and cross-functional meetings are a few ways we promote a culture of open dialogue. 

2. Embracing Diversity: We understand that diverse perspectives fuel innovation. Our team is composed of individuals from various backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. This diversity not only enriches our workplace but also leads to a broader range of ideas and solutions. 

3. Fail Forward Philosophy: Innovation inherently involves risk-taking and experimentation. We foster a "fail forward" philosophy, where failures are viewed as learning opportunities. This mindset encourages individuals to step outside their comfort zones, knowing that their contributions are valued even if they don't always lead to immediate success. 

4. Cross-Functional Collaboration: We break down silos and encourage collaboration between different departments. The synergy between teams with diverse expertise often sparks innovative solutions that wouldn't have been possible in isolation. 

5. External Partnerships: We actively seek partnerships with external organisations, startups, and research institutions to tap into a broader network of ideas and expertise. These collaborations help us stay at the forefront of innovation in our industry. 

&nbsp;

At Chekin, innovation is more than just a buzzword – it's a way of life. By fostering a culture that values creativity, collaboration, and continuous improvement, we empower our team to push boundaries, create meaningful solutions, and drive the company's success to new heights. 

&nbsp;

Meet the team at Chekin!: 

&nbsp;



&nbsp;

TRAVELTECH LAB BY HOTELBEDS

We explore the intersection of emerging technology and travel, to build innovative products and consumer experiences all whilst engineering solutions that advance Hotelbeds’ innovation agenda, and better the lives of our customers.

We’re firm believers that in a collaborative environment, it’s all about exploring new horizons to future-proof our business and drive digital transformation.

Learn more about our work here.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;


Spotlight On Chekin

Palma, Spain, 7 November 2023 – Hotelbeds, part of HBX Group, has entered a partnership with Barceló Hotel Group. This strategic distribution agreement increases Hotelbeds’ accommodation portfolio while also extends Barceló Hotels &amp; Resorts’ brand in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, opening up new possibilities for travellers. 

The collaboration adds 130 Barceló hotels in 15 countries into the Hotelbeds Preferred Portfolio, and Hotelbeds will in return enhance the distribution reach for these properties, which spans more than 170 markets, and encompasses more than 71,000 travel buyers, resulting in a number of benefits, including increased revenue streams in underpenetrated market segments.

Carlos Muñoz, Chief Commercial Officer of HBX Group, said: “We are excited to start this collaboration with Barceló Hotel Group, a brand that shares our dedication to providing top-tier experiences for travellers. This partnership enriches our extensive hotel portfolio, enabling us to offer our customers an even wider array of choices. We look forward to the positive impact this collaboration will have for both companies.” 

As the flagship brand of Barceló Hotel Group, Barceló Hotels &amp; Resorts is renowned for offering a wide spectrum of accommodation to suit the diverse needs and preference of travellers, whether they are looking for leisure, business or luxury stays. The brand encompasses a global collection of hotels and resorts, including urban properties, beachfront getaways and all-inclusive destinations. 

Raul González, Chief Executive Officer at Barceló Hotel Group said: “We are pleased to announce this alliance with Hotelbeds as it allows us to increase the awareness of Barceló Hotels &amp; Resorts and to reach more markets globally. This is a fundamental step in our plans for growth and market diversification. Our commercial strategy is strengthened through the development of smart initiatives designed to reinforce relationships with strong partners like Hotelbeds.”

E-Commerce Director at Barceló, Carlos Saniger; VP Commericial Europe at Hotelbeds, Jorge Cortes; Contracting Manager Regional Chains at Hotelbeds, Maria Montero; Chief Digital Business Officer at Barceló, Iñigo Onieva, and Head of E-Distribution at Barceló, Denis Kunz, at World Travel Market (WTM) on Tuesday 7 November. 

###

About Hotelbeds 

Hotelbeds are global leaders in the TravelTech space, connecting and empowering businesses by facilitating bridges in the ever-changing and expanding travel ecosystem. Our cloud-based technology platforms offer fast and simple access to a global network of travel products, from accommodation to ancillaries and payments, while rich data and intelligence helps to generate demand. By operating exclusively in the B2B arena, we are uniquely placed to drive growth for our partners without competing for the end customer. Our teams of 3000+ experts on the ground provide local expertise and support to boost trading even further, even in the most hard-to-reach spaces. Our unique blend of technology, data and passionate people serve as a catalyst for B2B travel players aiming to unlock their full potential.

About Barceló Hotel Group

Barceló Hotel Group, the hotel division of the Barceló Group, is the second largest hotel chain in Spain and is among the top 30 largest in the world in number of rooms. The group currently has more than 280 4 and 5-star urban and holiday hotels, totalling more than 62,000 rooms across 25 countries and marketed under four brands: Royal Hideaway Luxury Hotels &amp; Resorts, Barceló Hotels &amp; Resorts, Occidental Hotels &amp; Resorts and Allegro Hotels. It is also part of the Crestline Hotels &amp; Resorts group, an independent hotel company with 130 establishments. For more information please visit: www.barcelo.com

Hotelbeds Media Contact

PR &amp; Media Relations&nbsp; 

Clara Truyols – clatruyols@hotelbeds.com 


Barcelo_Hotelbeds.jpg

Hotelbeds partners with Barceló Hotel Group to expand travel opportunities for its clients 

Palma, Spain, 7 November 2023 – Bedsonline, in collaboration with Los Angeles Tourism, Universal Studios Hollywood and Delta Air Lines, has announced a rare opportunity for travel agents based in Australia and New Zealand to join a five-day familiarization (fam) trip to Los Angeles.

Travel agents who book participating hotels in Los Angeles and tickets to Universal Studios Hollywood before the end of the year will automatically be in with a chance of winning a VIP spot. The 10 agents with the highest total value of qualifying Los Angeles hotel and Universal Studios Hollywood ticket bookings by 31 December 2023 will win their place in this exciting opportunity. 

Peter Jones, VP for APAC at Bedsonline, said: “Experiencing a destination is the best way to sell it. That’s why we’re excited to partner with Los Angeles Tourism, Universal Studios Hollywood and Delta provide this incredible fam trip to our clients in Australia and New Zealand. We value the hard work travel agents do and hope this trip serves both as a reward and an inspiration for their future sales efforts.”

The trip is scheduled to take place in March 2024 and is exclusively reserved for travel agents based in Australia and New Zealand to experience Los Angeles. Winners will gain in-depth knowledge of the city while experiencing the iconic landmarks, the charm of Universal Studios Hollywood and the palm tree-lined streets of the city of Angels.

For more information, please visit our website. 

###

About Bedsonline

Bedsonline is the leading global provider of accommodation and complementary travel products, catering exclusively to travel agents. Through its online platform, it distributes accommodation, experiences and mobility services sourced from 191 countries to more than 64,000 travel agencies worldwide.

With the support of local service and sales teams across the globe, Bedsonline’s expansive portfolio serves travel partners and customers in more than 150 markets, while its powerful booking engine facilitates intuitive search and a seamless booking process. Owing to its evolving technology, wide catalogue of products and warm customer service, Bedsonline is the defacto partner for many travel bookers around the world.


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Bedsonline offers exclusive Fam Trip for travel agents in Australia and New Zealand

Travel TechLab by Hotelbeds is the innovation lab of Hotelbeds, powered by Wayra, which seeks to constantly re-imagine the world of travel by finding new ways to help our customers succeed, and our business partners achieve their goals.

As part of our ongoing mission to co-innovate with startup partners in order to deliver impactful, customer-focused experiences, products and platforms which reshape the travel industry, earlier this year TravelTech Lab by Hotelbeds hosted a Pitch Day Challenge, where startups from around the world were invited to showcase the myriad, forward-looking ways their products and services are providing solutions to real-life challenges currently being faced within the industry.

In this ‘Spotlight On’ blog series, we’ll be shining the light of attention on each of the four start-ups that were shortlisted during this Pitch Day Challenge, to bring their work to the forefront of the travel industry’s focus.

As the third in the series we will consider the journey of BotsLovers, a promising start-up whose Conversational AI SaaS Platform caught our attention. We will explore their development from the nexus of their idea through to how they enable any company to implement AI-powered virtual assistants across any channel, using their user-friendly No-Code SaaS Platform, and therefore enhance business profitability and operational efficiency.

Founders Andrés Pulgarin and Simón Garcia walk us through the beginning of BotsLovers, their mission, and how they’re working to bring their solutions into the world of travel.

&nbsp;

Can you describe the genesis of the start-up, including the idea that sparked its creation?&nbsp; 

BotsLovers started as a result of a simple idea: ‘Freeing humans from boring tasks.’

In 2017, founders Andrés Pulgarin and Simón Garcia dedicated themselves to recruiting technological personnel, and soon noticed that during interviews, they were repeatedly asking the same questions to candidates. This realisation led them to explore the emerging AI technologies gaining prominence in the US, with the goal of automating parts of their interview process.

As they gained a deeper understanding of these technologies and recognised their vast potential, they also observed that many companies were engaged in repetitive and monotonous conversations with their users. Motivated by this insight, they embarked on the BotsLovers project, aimed at automating conversations. Their mission was to assist companies in streamlining their customer service operations, ultimately achieving a remarkable 90% reduction in customer service workload. 

&nbsp;

Can you articulate for us BotsLovers’ mission and long-term vision, outlining the problems that it seeks to solve?&nbsp; 

Simply put, as stated above, BotsLovers’ mission is ‘freeing humans from boring tasks’, and we do this with our Conversational AI Platform.

Our long-term vision is to become the global leader in Conversational AI for Customer Service. Revolutionising and transforming customer support into "Customer Love” and spearheading the new era of Generative Artificial Intelligence applications in the sector. Our impact will extend to any business which requires automated customer service and business operations.

The headline “Businesses Lose $75 Billion Due To Poor Customer Service” in Forbes galvanised our intent, and made it clear that the industry at large needed a solution like ours.

The main problem we are seeking to solve is the need for extensive human support in Customer Service. Fueled by Digitalisation &amp; eCommerce customers now expect quick and personalised multi-channel and multi-language interactions with businesses.

This problem stems from the rapid and substantial global growth of customer-business interactions across all digital channels: web, applications, and social. Companies struggle to address customer requests promptly, accurately, and 24/7, due to resource limitations, impacting customer satisfaction and brand reputation. 

By automating routine tasks, businesses can reduce the need for extensive human support, leading to cost savings and the reallocation of resources towards more strategic initiatives.

This problem was not solved earlier because companies relied on legacy Chatbots. On one hand, end-users struggled with chatbots because responses lacked context and appeared unnatural. 

On the other hand, companies (B2B Customers) struggled with chatbots for three reasons:


	Chatbots are tricky to install: It takes several weeks to set up and integrate a chatbot to any system and learn all its functionalities.
	Frequent optimisation and maintenance are necessary for chatbots' proper functioning, requiring constant manual updates to align with company changes. 
	Technical expertise in programming languages, NLP, and ML is essential for chatbot deployment, creating a barrier for businesses lacking in-house resources or budget for external experts.


We work to enable any company to effortlessly establish and deploy AI-powered virtual assistants across any channel (including web, apps, social media) and language. This can be accomplished without this technical expertise, which was previously holding some companies back, thanks to BotsLovers’ user-friendly No-Code SaaS Platform.

&nbsp;

How does BotsLovers align with the larger industry landscape and what is its potential for growth?

By leveraging Generative Artificial Intelligence, we are revolutionising the traditional and impersonal customer support landscape, ushering in a new paradigm we call: "Customer Love". This transformation will lead to cost savings, increased customer satisfaction, and higher employee engagement

We face a huge potential for growth. Markets &amp; Markets Research has valued the World Wide Virtual Assistant/Chatbot market to be USD 5,4 billion in 2023.&nbsp; With a CAGR of 23,3% this market will reach USD 15,5 billion by 2028.

&nbsp;

What is your unique value proposition, and how does it set you apart from the competition?

What sets BotsLovers apart from competitors is our AI-first approach. Our Conversational AI platform is No-Code, multichannel and multi-language. Additionally, BotsLovers has a unique Large Language Models balancer for GPT-related cost management plus advanced specific industry data models.

&nbsp;

Tell us about the innovative solutions that BotsLovers offers!

Our core product is a Conversational AI SaaS No-Code Platform that:


	Addresses customer requests quickly, accurately, and 24/7 - in any language or digital channel.
	Allows any company to easily setup &amp; deploy AI-powered virtual assistants without tech knowledge.
	Respond to customer requests using Generative AI fine-tuned with companies' own data, sourced from websites, PDFs, images, audio and more.
	Drastically reduces the cost per response.


To demonstrate the potential of our technology, we have developed lovi.ai a demo site enabling the creation of a customised virtual assistant in under 30 seconds, using a company's own data.

&nbsp;

Who is your target audience, and what are the specific needs or pain points that your offerings address? &nbsp;&nbsp;

There are a number of target audiences who we believe find the solutions that BotsLovers provide inherently valuable:

Small to Large Businesses

We consider this audience to include small businesses that lack the resources or technical expertise to develop their own AI-powered virtual assistants; medium-sized enterprises looking to scale their customer support without significantly increasing costs; and large corporations aiming to streamline and automate customer interactions across various digital channels.

Customer Support and Service Departments

For example, customer support teams seeking to enhance their efficiency and responsiveness, and companies looking to reduce the workload of their customer support staff and allocate resources more effectively.

E-Commerce Companies

Including the likes of E-Commerce businesses dealing with high volumes of customer inquiries, especially during peak seasons, and companies needing to provide 24/7 customer support to a global customer base in multiple languages.

Multinational Corporations

These could be large enterprises with a global presence that require multilingual support and consistency in customer service across regions.

Startups and Innovators

Such as tech startups looking to incorporate AI-powered virtual assistants into their products and services without the need for extensive technical knowledge.

&nbsp;

In terms of specific pain points, we feel that BotsLovers addresses these unique needs in several ways.

24/7 Customer Support: Our platform enables businesses to provide round-the-clock customer support, addressing the pain point of customers needing assistance outside regular business hours.

Multilingual Support: Companies operating in diverse regions can efficiently communicate with customers in their preferred languages, eliminating language barriers.

No-Code Setup: For businesses without technical expertise, our No-Code platform allows them to easily set up AI-powered virtual assistants, reducing the need for costly development resources.

Cost Reduction: By automating responses and handling a significant portion of customer inquiries, our platform helps companies cut down on the cost per response, making customer support more cost-effective.

Data Utilisation: Leveraging companies' own data, as well as data from various sources, our Generative AI provides accurate and context-aware responses, addressing the challenge of personalised customer interactions.

Efficiency and Scalability: Companies can enhance the efficiency of their customer support teams by automating repetitive tasks, allowing them to scale without significantly increasing staff.

Accuracy and Consistency: Industries with complex information benefit from accurate responses, ensuring compliance, and consistency in communication, which can be challenging when relying solely on human agents.

Digital Channel Support: Our platform allows businesses to engage with customers on various digital channels (e.g., websites, social media, messaging apps), meeting customers where they are most comfortable.

Overall, our Conversational AI SaaS No-Code Platform addresses the growing need for efficient, cost-effective, and personalised customer support solutions across diverse industries and business sizes.

&nbsp;

Tell us about BotsLovers’ accomplishments and milestones. What are your current significant achievements to date?

We consider our accomplishments to be multi-faceted, and on many differing levels, though a few of our most significant and impactful achievements are as follows: 

Customer Base:

Our early users and customer base started with 10 paying customers by the end of 2019. From there, we grew to 15 customers in 2020, 40 customers in 2021, and 45 customers by the end of 2022

Nowadays, 80% of our actual revenue comes from enterprise customers such as Carrefour, Auchan Group, and Mercadona. Moreover, prestigious companies like Siemens AG, Porsche, Volvo, Telefonica, Cabify, Netflix, and Meta's Facebook have also become BotsLovers customers

Pilots: 

We developed pilot projects with Telefonica in Spain and Airbus in France and we are about to develop a pilot with Hotelbeds, a global travel industry leader.

Partnerships:

We have acquired a number of prestigious partnerships including Meta Creative Labs Partner, Telefónica Open Future Partner, and Google for Startups.

Awards:

BotsLovers has been recognised several times, most notably as SeedRocket Start-up of the Year and for the Airbus Biz Lab Accelerated Start-up award.

&nbsp;

Give us some insight into your company culture and brand values. How do you foster innovation, as a company?

At BotsLovers, fostering innovation is at the heart of our mission. We believe in a multi-faceted approach that encourages creativity, collaboration, and continuous learning. Our innovation strategy begins with a culture that values and rewards creative thinking, empowering our talented team to explore new ideas fearlessly.

We actively engage in ongoing research and development, staying at the forefront of Conversational AI and emerging technologies. Collaboration is key; we cultivate partnerships with industry leaders, universities, and startups to leverage diverse perspectives and expertise. Lastly, we foster a customer-centric mindset, closely listening to our clients' needs and feedback to drive innovation that delivers real value to their businesses.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

TRAVELTECH LAB BY HOTELBEDS

We explore the intersection of emerging technology and travel, to build innovative products and consumer experiences all whilst engineering solutions that advance Hotelbeds’ innovation agenda, and better the lives of our customers.

We’re firm believers that in a collaborative environment, it’s all about exploring new horizons to future-proof our business and drive digital transformation.

Learn more about our work here.

&nbsp;


Spotlight On BotsLovers

&nbsp;


	The TravelTech Lab by HBX Group is seeking startups specialised in virtual reality and the metaverse that help change the way travellers move, connect, and explore
	First time HBX Group will collaborate with both Wayra and the NYU SPS Tisch Center of Hospitality


&nbsp;

​​​​​Madrid, October 24, 2023.– HBX Group, the leading B2B TravelTech ecosystem player, Wayra, Telefónica's leading open innovation programme, and the NYU School of Professional Studies (NYU SPS) Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality have joined forces to launch the second TravelTech Lab by HBX Group innovation challenge to redesign the future of travel.

The companies, all leading innovation organisations in their respective fields, are calling on startups around the world, as well as affiliated students, to submit ideas on how emerging augmented technologies, such as virtual reality and the metaverse, can be adopted in the B2B travel arena to improve operational efficiencies and remove friction from the end traveller experience to create more enjoyable trips from the time they book to when they return home. 

José María Pestaña, Chief Innovation Officer at&nbsp;HBX Group, said: “Bringing our innovation partners and the startup community together is a unique opportunity for us all to not only learn and share ideas, but provide a platform to bring about real change in the TravelTech arena. I’m excited to see what ideas are put forward and how we will be able to implement these to not only improve our tech capabilities but also inspire future trips for the traveller of tomorrow.”

This second TravelTech Lab challenge comes months after the inaugural contest and just eight months after the launch of the innovation hub, which is based at HBX Group’s headquarters in Palma, Mallorca (Spain). The first event attracted submissions from 65 startups from across the world including South Africa, Colombia and Spain. Of these, HBX Group is now collaborating with the three finalists. 

Startups selected to join the TravelTech Lab by HBX Group will not only be given expert advice and guidance from industry experts, but they will also join Wayra's innovation ecosystem and work directly with HBX Group’s teams to develop collaboration opportunities. There is also a grant of up to €40,000 available from HBX Group to help bring their idea to life. All startups will be able to work with other like-minded entrepreneurs at Wayra’s 7 hubs in Europe and Latin America, as well as at HBX Group’s hubs in Mallorca and Madrid.

“It is a privilege for Wayra to strengthen our alliance and commitment with HBX Group- to make available all our knowledge of the international entrepreneurial ecosystem, and to promote technological evolution in the travel sector. It is a key element of our economy, as tourism is one of the most important engines of our country and corresponds to 20% of Spanish GDP,” said Andrés Saborido, Wayra Managing Director.

In further support of the challenge, NYU SPS hosted a students' hackathon, collaborating with industry professionals chosen from HBX Group’s partners in the U.S. to refine their solutions and gain a deeper understanding of current pain points within the hospitality sector. The response was very positive, with 26 students taking part.

“The TravelTech sector is growing every day,” said Richie Karaburun, MBA, DPS, Clinical Associate Professor and Director of the Tisch Center’s HI Hub Incubator Program. “We look forward to working with HBX Group and Wayra on this challenge to find the next augmented technology innovator who can help change and evolve our industry to create better travel experiences worldwide.”

For more information and to submit your idea, please visit the traveltechlab.net. Applications are open until 12 December 2023.

&nbsp;

###

About HBX Group

HBX Group is a leading B2B ecosystem player in the TravelTech space, connecting and empowering businesses in the ever-evolving world of travel. We drive growth for our clients &amp; partners while removing friction from the end-to-end travel experience. Our cloud-based technology platforms offer fast and reliable access to a unique portfolio of travel products &amp; services, while rich data and intelligence seamlessly connect supply and demand worldwide.

We have over 3,000 experts worldwide, including specialists on the ground who provide insights and support to boost trading even further, especially in the most hard-to-reach segments. This unique blend of technology, data and passionate people serves as a catalyst for all businesses aiming to unlock their full potential in the travel arena.

More information available at www.hbxgroup.com &nbsp;

&nbsp;

Follow us:

LinkedIn:&nbsp;https://www.linkedin.com/company/hbxgroup

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hbxgroup

&nbsp;

About NYU SPS Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality and Its HI Hub

The NYU SPS Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality, celebrating more than 25 years of academic excellence, is a leading center for the study of hospitality, travel, and tourism. Founded in 1995, the Tisch Center was established in response to the growing need for hospitality and tourism undergraduate and graduate education. Its cutting-edge curricula attract bright, motivated students who see to become leaders in their fields.

The Tisch Center launched the&nbsp;Hospitality Innovation Hub (HI Hub), which will foster entrepreneurship and creative solutions for the industries it services. The state-of-the-art facilities offer students, start-ups, and established industry partners and opportunities to learn, discover, innovate, and invest. For more information about the NYU SPS Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality, visit&nbsp;sps.nyu.edu/tisch.

&nbsp;

About Wayra

Since 2011, Wayra is the main program to connect Telefónica with the entrepreneurial ecosystem around the world. It has seven spaces covering nine countries in Latin America and Europe, through which it invests and supports startups. Wayra invests in startups with the capacity to generate business with Telefónica, which are ready to scale preferably in one of the following sectors: Entertainment (Gaming and Video), IoT, Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, eHealth, Fintech, Energy, Metaverse and Web3. Wayra always invests hand in hand with other VCs in startups that are controlled by the founders with a ticket of up to €350k. 

Since 2022 we have started to manage capital from Telefónica Group companies through Vivo Ventures and Íope Ventures. 

In these eleven years, Wayra has invested €68M in 870 startups and currently has more than 400 startups in its portfolio of which more than 170 work with Telefónica.

More information available at www.wayra.es &nbsp;


HBX Group_3.jpeg

HBX Group, Wayra and NYU SPS look to virtual reality and metaverse for second TravelTech Lab innovation challenge 


	Introduction of group brand is next evolution of TravelTech transformation
	New Fintech products enhance HBX Group’s ecosystem player status


&nbsp;

Palma, Spain – 18 October 2023 – Hotelbeds has launched its new group brand, HBX Group to lead the B2B TravelTech company into the next phase of its evolution. 

Two years on from its shift to being a leader in the TravelTech space, the company is today establishing itself as a global travel ecosystem player, introducing new product lines to meet the needs of the end consumer as they seek a frictionless end-to-end travel experience.

“As we continue our transformation as a world-leading TravelTech company, HBX Group simplifies our structure into four distinct brands under our new umbrella,” said CEO Nicolas Huss. “We have completely rebuilt our tech stack over the past year to support this shift and better serve our clients and partners by improving our reliability and number of self-service tools to maintain our market position.”

HBX Group will go to market with a collection of best-in-class B2B solutions, each with a clear proposition and market focus that meets the needs of its growing and diverse client base across more than 190 global markets. These are:


	Hotelbeds, who cater for the specific needs of hoteliers, tour operators, airlines and online travel agents
	Bedsonline, exclusively serving the retail travel segment bringing together all the travel products they need to complete and serve their travellers’ needs
	Roiback, the HotelTech partner for independent hotels and chains seeking growth through direct channel solutions
	TravelStack, providing all products, services and solutions to businesses looking to enter into the lucrative travel arena


HBX Group will also be vastly simplifying its brand architecture, to provide a much clearer and streamlined experience for all partners. As a result, existing product brands including last minute travel and Carnect, will continue to operate but will eventually be fully integrated into the HBX Group ecosystem. Hotelbeds’ long-standing flagship event, the MarketHub, as well as its innovation hub, the TravelTech Lab, will also be endorsed by HBX Group.

&nbsp;

Technology Rebuild 

HBX Group will be underpinned by new technology, which has been re-engineered in just under one year. The new HBX Group transaction platform is an open-source relational database management system emphasising extensibility and SQL compliance, allowing for more effective use of data and unlimited scalability. This complete re-platforming, re-architecture and new cloud based infrastructure enables HBX to have a global, cloud-based modern tech stack on which to build its future ecosystem strategy.

The technological transformation effectively futureproofs the company, with further functional changes easier to implement and benefits reaped by agents through easier access to more accurate data, reduced downtime and quicker responses.&nbsp; 

The company has refactored all visible channels – including its websites – which are now device agnostic. The changes are driving tangible increase in booking conversion and have been achieved for a capital expenditure of €11 million.

&nbsp;

Ecosystem creation

HBX Group is an ecosystem player within the world of travel. By combining the company’s four pillars – making up the “X” – technology, data, product and people, HBX Group is better-placed to support its clients and partners by offering the full scope of travel products, including ancillary services, and selling them in one package. It also encompasses the multiplier effect businesses that choose to work with the Group will benefit from.

“Being an ecosystem player enables us to provide our customers with interconnected products and services, which complement each other and which, when combined and sold seamlessly together, gives our clients what they want, when they want it.” adds Nicolas Huss. “It also streamlines the buying process while enabling clients to upsell ancillary products, enhancing their business and providing frictionless travel to the end consumer.”

Supporting the transition into an ecosystem player, Hotelbeds’ accommodation, mobility and attractions sales teams have been brought together as part of the new Group infrastructure, enabling them to cross-sell all product lines and streamline client relationships as they will now have one point of contact for all sales activity.

&nbsp;

New fintech solutions

As part of the evolution to HBX Group, the company will introduce fintech products in 2024, including travel insurance, payment solutions, and multi-currency solutions. These products will be&nbsp;embedded into the company’s core business to offer its clients and partners these services across their total business volumes.

The size of these opportunities is already large and growing. For example the travel insurance sector alone is currently worth €15 billion and is expected to grow to €99bn by 2030, according to research by Spherical Insights &amp; Consulting.

“As travellers increasingly seek the connected trip experience with all aspects of their travel included in the same ticket, we must ensure we’re meeting this need through travel insurance and associated financial products,” added Nicolas Huss. “We have offered hotels since our inception in 2001, later adding car hire, transfers and attractions. Financial services are the natural next step in our business development and one our clients have asked us to provide.”

Learn more about HBX Group at www.hbxgroup.com

###

&nbsp;

About HBX Group

HBX Group is a leading B2B ecosystem player in the TravelTech space, connecting and empowering businesses in the ever-evolving world of travel. We drive growth for our clients &amp; partners while removing friction from the end-to-end travel experience. Our cloud-based technology platforms offer fast and reliable access to a unique portfolio of travel products &amp; services, while rich data and intelligence seamlessly connect supply and demand worldwide.

We have over 3,000 experts worldwide, including specialists on the ground who provide insights and support to boost trading even further, especially in the most hard-to-reach segments. This unique blend of technology, data and passionate people serves as a catalyst for all businesses aiming to unlock their full potential in the travel arena.

Follow us:

LinkedIn:&nbsp;https://www.linkedin.com/company/hbxgroup

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hbxgroup

&nbsp;

HBX Group Media Contact

PR &amp; Media Relations&nbsp;

media@hotelbeds.com


HBX Press Room 1.jpg

HBX Group

HBX Group marks start of new era for Hotelbeds

Palma, Spain, 11 October 2023 – Hotelbeds and Merlin Entertainments have signed an exclusive distribution agreement for its six LEGOLAND® Hotels at LEGOLAND® Resorts in the United States. 

The two companies have had a long-standing successful theme parks and attractions partnership, but this new contract will be their only hotel offering. Encompassing LEGOLAND® New York Hotel, LEGOLAND® California Hotel, LEGOLAND® California Castle Hotel, LEGOLAND® Florida Hotel, LEGOLAND® Florida Pirate Island Hotel, and LEGOLAND® Florida Beach Retreat Resort, Hotelbeds will be the sole partner of B2B accommodation bookings globally.

Chris Leonard, Managing Director of Mobility and Experiences at Hotelbeds, said: “This partnership marks a new phase in our relationship with Merlin and is an endorsement of our joint success to date. Thanks to our extensive global footprint, we are able to now support LEGOLAND® Hotels in attracting customers from around the world while also helping agents attract new customers seeking new holiday experiences.”

Reservations made by travel agents will include access to LEGOLAND® Resort’s signature Halloween extravaganza “Brick-or-Treat” running on select nights until 29 October 2023. 

Additional benefits of staying at LEGOLAND® Hotels include:


	Early access to LEGOLAND® theme parks
	Easy access to the LEGOLAND® Water Park in California and Florida and Peppa Pig Theme Park in Florida
	Complimentary breakfast 


“Bringing families with children ages 2 – 12 together to create awesome family memories is what we excel at and we’re excited Hotelbeds is able to work with us to offer families across the globe the unique LEGOLAND® experience,” said North America Director of Public Relations for Merlin Entertainments Julie Estrada. 

LEGOLAND® Hotels become part of Hotelbeds’ portfolio of more than 300,000 hotels and 16,000 experiences worldwide. 

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About Hotelbeds 

Hotelbeds are global leaders in the TravelTech space, connecting and empowering businesses by facilitating bridges in the ever-changing and expanding travel ecosystem. Our cloud-based technology platforms offer fast and simple access to a global network of travel products, from accommodation to ancillaries and payments, while rich data and intelligence helps to generate demand. By operating exclusively in the B2B arena, we are uniquely placed to drive growth for our partners without competing for the end customer. Our teams of 3000+ experts on the ground provide local expertise and support to boost trading even further, even in the most hard-to-reach spaces. Our unique blend of technology, data and passionate people serve as a catalyst for B2B travel players aiming to unlock their full potential.

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About Merlin Entertainments

Merlin Entertainments is a global leader in location-based, family entertainment. As Europe’s number one and the world’s second-largest visitor attraction operator, Merlin operates more than 140 attractions, 24 hotels and six holiday villages in 24 countries and across four continents. &nbsp;Merlin’s purpose is to deliver memorable experiences to its millions of guests around the world, thorough its iconic brands and multiple attraction formats, and the commitment and passion of its employees.

Visit&nbsp;www.merlinentertainments.biz&nbsp;for more information and follow on Twitter @MerlinEntsNews.

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Follow us:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hotelbeds

Twitter: @Hotelbeds

Facebook: Hotelbeds

Instagram: @hotelbeds_official

Media Contact

PR &amp; Media Relations&nbsp; 

Clara Truyols – clatruyols@hotelbeds.com 

Merlin Entertainments Media Contact

Julie Estrada – Julie.Estrada@Merlinentertainments.biz

Public Relations Director North America


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Hotelbeds signs exclusive partnership with Merlin Entertainments

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