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&nbsp;The Knox Corps CEO, Scott Patterson, explores how travel professionals can protect their businesses by following cybersecurity best practices.&nbsp;I’m Scott Patterson, CEO of The Knox Corps. I’m also an accomplished information security executive, with over two decades of experience strategising and developing enterprise security programs for highly regulated organisations in sectors such as healthcare, financial services, and the United States Air Force. Additionally, I serve as the Sector Chief of the FBI’s Communications sector and as a Governor of Homeland Security. Given my background, I am deeply immersed in the world of cybersecurity.&nbsp;As part of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, I’d like to take the opportunity to share some of my knowledge to help you and your business stay safe.&nbsp;Cybercrime is a serious threat. There are organisations that, if attacked today, might not survive tomorrow. It’s a daunting reality. In the event of a breach, not only could a business face closure, but sensitive information — including financial and confidential customer details — could be compromised. Understanding how to strengthen security measures and implement an effective disaster recovery plan can be the key to either withstanding an attack or falling victim to it.&nbsp;&nbsp;Compliance is KingIs the travel industry a prime target for cybercrime?&nbsp;Yes, absolutely. In addition to the reasons outlined, there are many access points to this sector. Here’s a simple analogy: the more doors that you have to your house, the more susceptible you are to your home being compromised. If you have one door, you only have one to secure; if you have two or three, you need to be much more vigilant.&nbsp;&nbsp;This is the case in the travel industry – between email communications, telephone calls, third parties, partnerships, websites, and even payments, several areas could become compromised. This is where compliance comes into play.&nbsp;Dual ComplianceThe travel industry falls under what I’d refer to as ‘dual compliance’, where players must comply with multiple regulatory bodies.&nbsp;&nbsp;The first is the Payment Card Industry, or PCI, which has its own set of standards around securing the financial transactions surrounding the credit card and the credit card holder. PCI is only concerned with what was mentioned above since hotels must get paid, and the number one form of payment is via e-commerce, either web or in person. There is a separate council that governs and enforces PCI, and the cost of a breach could be substantial.&nbsp;On the other side, we have ISO compliance, which handles breaches related to all personally identifiable information (first and last names, addresses, the names of family members, health information, bank account information, emergency contact information, email addresses, and so forth). As you can imagine, balancing the different areas of compliance can be complex, and this is where I recommend a risk assessment.&nbsp;&nbsp;A proper risk assessment covers technical and non-technical risks, providing a global perspective of dual compliance, where risks are aligned under each regulatory body and a mitigation plan is in place to remediate. In the end, one must have proof of such by way of what’s called a Report on Compliance (ROC).&nbsp;Enhanced Security, Greater SuccessUnderstanding the resources available to you is crucial. I get it — not every company has thousands of dollars, euros, or pounds to hire in-house security specialists. However, I can’t emphasise enough the importance of proper compliance and risk assessment.&nbsp;&nbsp;Let me explain why.&nbsp;Without due diligence, your company may not survive. Countless businesses have gone under due to a lack of preparedness. We are living in an age of technological advancement, and with that comes an increased risk of cybercrime. Staying up-to-date and well-protected is essential for your company’s survival, as well as for the security of your customers and partners.&nbsp;Customers and partners value security. Think about it — when choosing between two companies, what’s the differentiator? Today’s partners and consumers are becoming increasingly savvy and concerned about their online safety. On the partnership side, every brand wants to protect its assets, whether financial data, customer information, or a hard-earned reputation.&nbsp;&nbsp;Demonstrating a commitment to security can help you win their business by showing that you share their concerns.&nbsp;So, How Can You Implement Cybersecurity Solutions Without a Dedicated Team?&nbsp;This is where companies like The Knox Corps come in. We provide risk management, ethical hacking, forensics, vulnerability assessments, IT security, and advisory services to help you become cyber-compliant. That way, you can focus on delivering great solutions to your customers.&nbsp;I’d like to extend my gratitude to HBX Group for giving me and The Knox Corps the opportunity to address this important issue. Alongside Christo and Paula, we are committed to raising awareness about cybersecurity—outreach is essential.&nbsp;&nbsp;There’s one final thought I’d leave you with during this Cybersecurity Awareness Month: it’s to remain curious yet cautious about the digital world’s constantly evolving nature (consider the rise of artificial intelligence, for example). With that evolution, it’s vital to arm yourself with the knowledge needed to protect your business and yourself before you venture toward bolt-on solutions, such as artificial intelligence. Keeping up with trends while performing trend analysis is paramount to the success of your business. So, before focusing on trends, focus on the foundation first.&nbsp;Scott Patterson is an entrepreneur, professor, professional speaker, and Advisory Chief Security Officer. He possesses over two decades in organisational leadership roles, with proven experience in strategising and developing enterprise security programmes for highly regulated organisations in Healthcare, Financial Services, Education Insurance, and the Armed Forces.

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Scott Patterson cybersecurity best practices

The Cyber Shield: Safeguard Your Business with Best Practices

&nbsp;HBX Group garnered expert insights from Christo Butcher, global lead for threat intelligence at Fox-IT, on how travel professionals can safeguard against cybersecurity attacks.&nbsp;The hospitality industry is fantastic. This is a sector which thrives on the human connection, with a workforce which is inherently helpful and kind. There are benefits to this: from an enhanced customer experience to collaboration, innovation and morale, the sector’s greatest strengths can be attributed to a collective passion and empathy.&nbsp;Unfortunately, these positive traits also serve as a gateway to vulnerability.&nbsp;Cybercriminals love the travel industry. Consisting of numerous companies, a vast number of individuals, and significant financial assets, it is an appealing target. On top of this, its current level of cybersecurity is often lower than other sectors.&nbsp;So, how can travel professionals protect themselves from cyberattacks?&nbsp;The answer lies in understanding the cybercriminals, and working to strengthen against those weaknesses they exploit.&nbsp;&nbsp;Know Your EnemyCybercriminals are inherently creative, functioning much like entrepreneurs seeking lucrative opportunities. When they discover effective methods for earning money, they exploit them until those methods become ineffective. They then look for another way to attack – and in an industry as far-reaching as the travel industry, the access points are plentiful.&nbsp;Moreover, we exist in an evolving digital world. It can be hard for the average person to keep up – but for the hackers, cybercrime is their livelihood. They’re adept at staying up-to-date, looking for any opportunity to exploit their targets’ weaknesses.&nbsp;&nbsp;Here are just a few tactics techniques which you might already be familiar with:Email Phishing: a fraudulent attempt to obtain sensitive information, steal credentials, or infect the target computer via deceptive emails that appear to be from legitimate sources.Chat Phishing: a scam where attackers use instant messaging platforms to manipulate users into sharing personal information or downloading malicious software.Voice Phishing (Vishing): a technique where scammers use phone calls to trick individuals into revealing confidential information or perform actions information by pretending to be a trusted entity.&nbsp;As mentioned, the travel sector is a particularly friendly one. This makes its workforce susceptible to hacking via social engineering. Cybercriminals are master manipulators and have no issue with brazenly taking advantage of their proposed victims – if that travel agent, check-in clerk or phone operator is in a very helpful mood, it makes them extra vulnerable. However, there is a way to channel that helpfulness into a form of protection.&nbsp;Strengthening Defense Through CollaborationTransparency around cybersecurity offers a pathway to beating cybercriminals. Although many businesses feel ashamed to have suffered a cyberattack, others have gone public, choosing to bring attention to the crime in the interest of the greater good.&nbsp;Of course, not every company wants to admit to falling victim to what are increasingly common attacks. It’s easy to understand why: few want to appear vulnerable, especially when entrusted with valuable customer data. That said, sharing experiences of cybercrime, especially technical details of the attacker’s modus operandi, within the travel sector and with trusted authorities (like Fox-IT and NCC Group) anonymously reporting cybercrimes to an authority (like Fox-IT) is a valuable step to helping others and the industry as a whole to prepare and defend themselves from suffering the same fate.&nbsp;By sharing, we can build a stronger defense: it’s better to learn from the collective experience, than to sit with our own mistakes.&nbsp;In addition to leaning into the spirit of transparency – that much-loved trait that our travel professionals possess in spades –, keeping abreast of developments in the realm of digital technology and cybersecurity is paramount. After all, cybersecurity is not a static field: it continually evolves alongside the techniques deployed by cybercriminals. The public media has plenty of useful information, but engaging with specialised cybersecurity firms can provide valuable insights at speed.&nbsp;&nbsp;Here at Fox-IT, we’re immersed in the landscape of ongoing cyberattacks. As committed cybersecurity specialists, our mission drives us to contribute to a safer society for all. From conducting cybersecurity assessments to sharing providing trainings on the issue, our technical and innovative solutions enable us to do just that.&nbsp;However, the most promising strategy for the travel and tourism sector is fostering a culture of collaboration – this is something we experienced first-hand when joining HBX Group at this year’s MarketHub, where we were able to speak directly to travel professionals about the challenges they face. These are individuals who have seen the issue from close by; businesses of all sizes, who have seen the damage caused. Mutual exchanges, such as those at the MarketHub (or in other forums) can significantly enhance resilience against sophisticated attacks.&nbsp;Awareness of this issue is growing, and to protect ourselves, we must work together to find a solution. This Cybersecurity Awareness Month, I wish to echo the sentiment that cybersecurity is a collective obligation – it’s time to empower ourselves by leveraging our diverse experiences and expertise as vital insights, as we work to strengthen our defences against cybercrime.&nbsp;Christo Butcher has been safeguarding companies since the turn of the century. He excels at illuminating the challenges posed by real-world cyberattacks and developing evidence-based strategies to fortify organisations against them. In an era marked by constantly evolving cyberthreats, Christo Butcher is dedicated to providing clarity, insight, and data-driven resolutions. His passion lies in growing clients’ cyber maturity and enhancing the safety of our digital landscape.&nbsp;

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cybersecurity how to protect yourself key insights Christo Butcher Fox IT

Cybersecurity: How to Protect Yourself in the Digital Battlefield

&nbsp;HBX Group's own Paula Felstead, Chief Tech, Data and M&amp;A Officer, offers key insights into the status of cybersecurity risks for the travel and hospitality sector, and how forward-looking businesses must adapt.&nbsp;It's time to get comfortable with an uncomfortable topic - cybersecurity.&nbsp;We are in an age where digital transformation is advancing at an unprecedented pace, and understanding the implications has never been more critical.&nbsp;We exist in a reality which is evolving every day, and with it, so do the risks faced by our industry.&nbsp;&nbsp;Whether you're an individual or part of a business, security threats – from annoying spam emails to sophisticated phishing attacks – are a daily concern. On a global scale, these challenges become even more complex, especially as we operate within an interconnected ecosystem.&nbsp;Taking an ecosystem approach has its perks: partners gain seamless access to global products and services, typically at a lower cost, and certainly with less friction. Interconnectedness is paramount to collective success, but an uncoordinated approach to cybersecurity can have a significant ripple effect. To put it plainly: if there is a weak link in the chain, then the whole chain becomes weaker.&nbsp;&nbsp;At HBX Group, we see cybersecurity as a communal obligation. We all owe it not only to our own organisations, but also to every individual and business connected to us. Every transaction made within this ecosystem reflects our duty, and over the past three years, we’ve faced emerging threats head-on by investing significantly in security. With a dedicated cybersecurity team, we’re committed to ensuring that every transaction is handled with care.&nbsp;As we grow and innovate, we want to do so safely, trying to stay ahead of potential threats. Trust is the lifeblood of the travel ecosystem, so it’s vital that we keep investing in knowledge and technology to predict and mitigate risks—not just to protect our brand, but to safeguard the entire network of partners and clients we work with.&nbsp;In an increasingly interconnected world, it is essential to champion awareness and collaboration around cybersecurity, empowering everyone to not just react to threats but to proactively work together.&nbsp;&nbsp;For this reason, I am pleased to announce our efforts in developing a Cybersecurity Consortium: by partnering with notable travel brands and cybersecurity experts such as Fox-IT and The Knox Corps, the goal of the Consortium is to bolster the travel industry’s defences against growing cyberthreats whilst supporting a wider network of travel professionals. Many do not have the necessary funds available to do this alone.&nbsp;&nbsp;By sharing valuable insights, best practices, and helpful advice, this collaborative effort will connect those in need with companies that can provide the necessary assistance and expertise, fostering a safer environment for everyone involved in the travel ecosystem.&nbsp;It is my belief that actions such as this are required if we are to proactively address threats and work toward a secure digital future. The evolution of cybersecurity is not just about tech; it involves people, processes, and shared responsibility for our collective safety online. By sharing knowledge and openly discussing our challenges, we can cultivate a fortified cybersecurity landscape.&nbsp;&nbsp;I invite you to learn alongside us this Cybersecurity Awareness Month, as we share a wealth of insights and views from industry experts, including Fox-IT and The Knox Corps.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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Cybersecurity Paula Felstead insights

It's time to get comfortable with an uncomfortable topic - cybersecurity

Hotels that strategically leverage these partnerships position themselves for sustained growth in a complex and fragmented market.

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In today's dynamic hospitality landscape, the importance of having a trusted B2B distribution partner cannot be overstated. Let's delve into why B2B distribution remains a key player in the success of hotels and how it addresses critical concerns such as cost reduction and rate leakage prevention.

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1. Diversifying Revenue Streams:

While OTAs and direct bookings are essential, B2B distribution opens new avenues for hotels to diversify their revenue streams. Establishing partnerships with reputable B2B distributors allows hotels to tap into different market segments, reaching a broader audience that will not be easily accessible through other channels.

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2. Cost Reduction through longer Lead Times:

Long lead times enable hotels to anticipate revenues and optimize resource costs, allowing to fill rooms in advance. This not only ensures a steady stream of revenue but also helps in optimizing inventory management. By securing reservations with long lead times through these partners, hotels can optimize revenue management strategies, allowing them to increase ADR on direct bookings and OTA channels. 

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3. Global Reach and Market Expansion:

B2B distribution extends the global reach of hotels by connecting them with non-domestic bookings - from markets where they could otherwise have never reach – or from niche channels, such as points redemption schemes, airline websites, tour operators, or retail travel agents. This widespread network aids in market expansion, allowing hotels to attract guests and explore emerging markets that might be challenging to access independently.

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4. Cost-Efficient Marketing:

Collaborating with B2B distribution partners involves shared marketing efforts. This collaborative approach helps hotels benefit from the marketing expertise and resources of their partners, reducing the individual marketing costs that would be incurred for reaching the same audience on their own. 

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5. Preventing Rate Leakage:

The unauthorized distribution of room rates is a top concern for hotels aiming to maintain rate parity. B2B distribution partners implement robust systems and technologies to prevent rate leakage, ensuring that the agreed-upon rates are maintained across all channels. This safeguards the hotel's pricing integrity and prevents discrepancies that could harm its brand image.

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6. Technology Integration for Seamless Operations:

Probably the best part about connecting with B2B distribution partners is the technology they offer to connect, creating a seamless operational environment. This integration streamlines processes such as inventory management, reservation handling, and payment processing. The result is increased efficiency and reduced operational costs for hotels.

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In conclusion, while OTAs and direct bookings play a crucial role in a hotel's success, B2B distribution remains a vital component to increase hotel’s revenue streams. The ability to diversify income sources, reduce costs, prevent rate leakage, and expand global reach make B2B distribution partners an indispensable strategy in the ever evolving &amp; fragmented hospitality industry. 

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💡 TIPS – Summarizing, the QUICK WINS of an agreement with B2B Distributors are:


	Distribution of sales across a wider range of countries, markets, and niche channels.
	Free marketing and Indirect advertising.
	Automation of systems and ease of distribution.
	Longer lead time, average stay and higher booking volumes.
	Robust systems to detect and stop rate leakage.



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B2B Distribution: the unsung hero of hotel distribution management

Travel TechLab by HBX Group is the innovation lab of HBX Group, 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.

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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.

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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?

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?

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.

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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!

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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

Smartvel's directors with Threedot.io&nbsp;team in a strategic session, pictured from left to right : Glenn Morgan (Threedot);&nbsp;Miguel Camacho, CTO, Eric Leopold (Threedot);&nbsp;María Liniers, CCO;&nbsp;Iñigo Valenzuela, CEO; Belén Romero, COO; Esperanza Zarauz, CFO

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TRAVELTECH LAB BY HBX Group

We explore the intersection of emerging technology and travel, to build innovative products and consumer experiences all whilst engineering solutions that advance HBX Group's 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, and visit the Smartvel website to discover more about their offering.


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Spotlight on Smartvel

The TravelTech Lab by HBX Group is the innovation lab of HBX Group, 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.

&nbsp;

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.

&nbsp;

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 HBX Group

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

Travel TechLab by HBX Group is the innovation lab of&nbsp;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.

&nbsp;

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. 

&nbsp;

Can you describe the genesis of the start-up, including the idea that sparked its creation?

&nbsp;

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?

&nbsp;

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.

&nbsp;

How does Chekin align with the larger industry landscape, and what is its potential for growth?

&nbsp;

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.

&nbsp;

What is your unique value proposition, and how does it set your start-up apart from competitors?

&nbsp;

There is no standard solution that provides the enabling technology to automate the entire guest registration process, from booking confirmation till check-out. 

&nbsp;

Tell us about the innovative solutions or products that your start-up offers!

&nbsp;

- 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 foster 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 HBX Group

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, and visit the&nbsp;Chekin website&nbsp;to discover more about their offering.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;


Spotlight On Chekin

The TravelTech Lab by HBX Group is the innovation lab of HBX Group, 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 HBX Group

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

Here at Hotelbeds, we believe that we can transform travel into a force for good.

We want to ensure that the travel industry continues to thrive, without compromising the travellers of the future, and ensuring a positive impact on society and the environment. That is why today, on World Tourism Day, we want to remember the responsibility we each share: as travellers, companies, public institutions and so forth, it is our duty to take care of our planet and society. We fully support the United Nations World Tourism Organisation’s (UNWTO) themes for 2023 ­– Tourism and Green Investments, and Investing in People, Planet and Prosperity.

Sustainable travel is growing worldwide – we saw a 30% increase in the year to April versus the previous 12 months – and we all want to keep exploring: to see nature, enjoy clean beaches, and explore the vibrant colours of our world both on land and under water. From visiting temples and ancient cities, to enjoying gastronomy, watching wildlife and meeting happy people in the countries we visit, travel can be a truly enriching experience for all parties involved.

With travel and tourism accounting for more than 8.5% of global GDP in 2022, it’s an important, and growing, economic driver. On World Tourism Day, we want to remember the responsibility of every company, public institution, and traveller to be more sustainable. And although we have much more to do, we’re making many positive steps to ensure we look after the planet for generations to come. Our small acts have a much greater impact when combined, with the ability to make a profound and positive impact on our world. 

As companies, we have the power to transform faster. We must harness our loudspeaker, our entire value chain, to drive change towards becoming a more sustainable sector. Tourism offers very good things to our society, to the economy, and to the improvement and development of local communities. It also helps to give value to the culture of each country, and to its nature and heritage. But at the same time, this can be a double-edged sword if sustainable growth is not ensured. 

Companies must change their approach and be more aware of the risks in the long term. It is the responsibility of all us in the travel industry to contribute towards shaping a better world, particularly in terms of green investments and prosperity. With a roadmap in place, we will continue to deliver against our commitments, whilst also supporting the ambitions of our clients and partners. Together, our impact can be long-lasting, far-reaching, and sustainable for all.


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World Tourism Day 2023: Embracing Sustainable Travel

With the theme for Earth Day this year being ‘Invest in our planet’, I couldn’t imagine a more important message for my first Earth Day as part of the Hotelbeds team.

Here we take our Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) commitments seriously, and for me, being tasked with heading up the ESG Team is a real honour and one that I am excited to take forward in the organisation.

World Earth Day is an opportunity for us to shout loudly about the important, and mandatory, role that sustainability plays in both our business, and the industry as a whole. We have a privileged position as a company in that we do not have a very high direct environmental impact, but we do have a strong capacity to influence and work with our sector to reduce its impact in terms of pollution.

Our ESG commitments, efforts and purpose as a leader in the TravelTech space mean that we intend to continue to collaborate with our partners to improve the impact of tourism on the environment and local communities, and create a sustainable future.

With 81% of travellers surveyed by Statista confirming that sustainable travel is important, we want to take advantage of being at the heart of relationships with hotels, and travel agencies to really influence their commitments to this cause.

There is no doubt in my mind that you can’t commit well to a role like mine without the subject being important to you personally. I started out professionally in the world of communications, but my true passion lies within the world of sustainability. Communications goes hand in hand with raising awareness and delivering the message of the importance of committing to sustainable growth so it’s a great match really.

From the early stages of my career at a Spanish refreshments company, doors were opened for me into a world of corporate social responsibility and sustainability, and then open innovation and digital logic.

I went on to another couple of companies where I was able to develop further. I worked with incredible teams who I learned from every day and I had the opportunity to see sustainability from a more technical and scientific perspective and also how to measure the impact of our social and environmental actions.

Now, at Hotelbeds, I can honestly say it is incredible to be able to work in sustainability for a company that mixes three of my passions; sustainability, travel and technology. We are focusing our strategy on three key areas, environmental, social and governance.


	Protecting our planet today to make it possible for future generations to enjoy travel tomorrow.
	Creating a diverse, engaged and healthy work force that contributes to developing a healthy society and supporting local communities in key destinations to thrive and progress.
	Ensuring compliance with laws and regulations in every market, conducting our business with integrity and respect and championing human rights with all of our partners.
	Using our strategic position in the TravelTech space to influence, create alliances and support our stakeholders in their own ESG path.


I enjoy creating projects that can help to improve society and our environment, as our challenges in this area have not changed, but how we approach them must evolve. At the heart of it lies the need to invest in our planet, to #MakeADifference and to make travel a force for good.


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Don’t believe in global warming? It would be a lot cooler if you did!

As International Women’s Day comes around again this year, I always have mixed feelings about it. On one hand it’s great to celebrate the contribution and value of women in the world however it´s also sad that we have to make this a big thing as it’s still not ‘normal’ to value women’s contributions equally.

This year, seeing the United Nations get behind innovation and technological change speaks volumes to the need to focus on diversity in tech, and championing education in the digital age to empower all women and girls is a necessary move towards equality in endeavour and opportunity.

I've spent my 30+-year career in the technology field and have seen huge strides being made to reform this traditionally male-dominated world, but we’re not going far or fast enough, nor with enough imagination or vision.

Data from the Boston Consulting Group reports that 20% of people studying technical subjects are women, while just 20-25% of tech leaders are women. That’s a huge amount of undiscovered and wasted talent.

Being a female leader in the technology and digital space should be about working hard, achieving results and being the best person for the job when promotion opportunities arise, yet it’s been shown that this is not always the case. I have been lucky to work with open-minded and supportive leaders which, sadly, is not the case for many. McKinsey and LeanIn.org’s&nbsp;‘Women in the Workplace’ 2021 report found that, across all industries and roles, 86 women are promoted to manager for every 100 men at the same level. The gender gap for women in technical roles is even greater, with just 52&nbsp;women promoted to manager for every 100 men.&nbsp;

So how do we encourage more women into STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) careers? There is huge talent out there – if we know where to look – but what we need to address now are the barriers to entry. Does every data scientist need a degree? Do they all have to be in the office 9-5, Monday-Friday? In my experience, the answer to both is no – so is it time to remove these requirements and focus more on the skills we can't teach, such as a desire to learn, attitude and enthusiasm?

Here at Hotelbeds, changing our recruitment strategy has paid off – not just in tech, but across the board too. Some 57% of our global workforce are women and they hold 47% of leadership positions across the company.

Flexibility, support and sponsorship are essential for women but also for many across our employee base (present and future), so let’s embrace this for the benefit of the company and the organisation. After all, a truly diverse workforce brings wider conversations, better decisions, innovation and opportunities for all.


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Increasing diversity in tech brings benefits for everyone

On behalf of the global Hotelbeds team, I would like to extend a warm New Year’s welcome to our clients, partners and friends around the world.

2022 was a year unlike any other for our industry: from a considerable rebound in the first half of the year to the economic uncertainty currently impacting the daily lives of would-be travellers, navigating the past 12 months has required a great deal of tenacity. However, I am pleased to report that 2022 was indeed a fantastic year for Hotelbeds.

Of course, this success – and, by association, the support that we are committed to delivering to you – would not be possible without our dedicated teams located in every corner of the globe. Their passion and expertise, combined with our rich data and technology solutions, remain the driving force behind all that we do, and we thank them for their unceasing efforts.

Additionally, we recognise that it is the responsibility of everyone in our industry to become a force for good. Thank you to those who have committed to joining us on this journey, including the partners making a pledge to go plastic free, and the clients who champion sustainable stays. I’m also grateful once more to our amazing teams who dedicated much of their time to volunteering; similarly, the recent introduction of our tree planting project with Tree Nation has been met with much enthusiasm from our people and partners, and we look forward to seeing these reforestation efforts coming to fruition.

With aspiration, dedication and positivity, I am without doubt that 2023 will be a tremendous year for all those who are a part of the Hotelbeds family. Thank you for your partnership.

I wish you a wonderful 2023.

Nicolas


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