HBX Group (HBX.SM), an independent B2B travel technology marketplace, is taking Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the travel industry to the next level. With a strategic evolution focused on automation and personalization, the company is optimizing hotel distribution, improving customer service and facilitating real-time decision making.
Thanks to the integration of advanced AI models, HBX Group already handles 20% of customer service contacts exclusively through AI in those areas where it has been implemented, reducing response times to seconds for the most common requests. This progress reinforces its position as a leader in technological innovation, with plans to further expand automation and improve service quality.
“AI is not the future, it is the present. Its impact on distribution and personalization of the journey is already generating tangible results for our customers and partners. With this evolution, we are improving operational efficiency and offering a more agile service adapted to the needs of the market”, says Xabier Zabala, Chief Operations Officer of HBX Group.
To achieve this, the company has implemented multiple AI-based solutions that are revolutionizing the booking management, customer service and commercial management of its partners:
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Automated omnichannel customer service. Implementation of virtual assistants through chat, email and web channels that not only resolve frequent queries, but also manage requests and bookings, with unbeatable response times.
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Training of new recruits. Transformation of the process of preparing and training new customer service agents with the use of a new AI tool that realistically simulates the interactions and assistance needs of customers, being able to simulate multiple scenarios, languages and levels of difficulty.
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Automated content improvement. Automatic identification and execution of improvement opportunities in hotel service descriptions and experiences, as well as immediate translation into 18 languages.
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Anomaly prediction and detection. Machine learning models that identify unusual patterns in bookings and user behavior, enabling faster and more accurate detections of phishing attempts and thwarting the targets of cybercriminals.
The impact of AI on teams and the future of automation
Beyond transforming the customer experience, AI is redefining the way support and distribution teams operate at HBX Group. The automation of repetitive tasks has enabled customer service agents and sales teams to focus on strategic and higher value-added aspects.
To support this change, the company has launched specific training programs for its customer service teams to develop the skills needed to work in conjunction with AI systems. These include training using AI agents that behave like customers to train teams to handle more complex cases and deliver higher-value interactions, demand prediction to efficiently manage resources, advanced itinerary personalization, expansion of virtual assistants in multiple languages and automation of financial processes. In addition, they seek to implement predictive AI that not only responds to customer needs, but anticipates them, thus improving user experience and operational management.
“With these initiatives, we reaffirm our commitment to technological innovation and the digital transformation of the tourism sector, consolidating our position as a benchmark in the application of Artificial Intelligence to optimize processes and improve the customer experience”, adds Xabier Zabala.
Security, transparency and compliance
The implementation of AI at HBX Group is accompanied by rigorous security and compliance protocols to ensure data protection and transparency in the use of these technologies. All solutions developed comply with international standards, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other industry-relevant regulations.
To avoid bias and ensure responsible use and operation, the company has developed a system of continuous auditing and monitoring. This monitoring allows the performance of AI models to be evaluated, ensuring that recommendations and automations are interpretable, auditable and aligned with HBX Group values.
