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TourReview has launched two new features for online review management: Translation and Geolocation
In the world of tourism, the variety of languages and geolocations are crucial factors that drive the industry. TourReview ensures that these factors do not become an obstacle to effective online reputation management for tour operators. TourReview launches two new features for effective online reputation management for tour operators. The TourReview software allows instant translation of reviews extracted directly from customers or OTAs. The Review Master now features a geolocation analysis to see where the reviews are located, and how many reviews each country has, as well as being able to see immediately whether these reviews have been positive or negative. TourReview, the experts in online review management, have launched new features within their software that solve a niche problem for tour operators, the centralization and collection of verified reviews. Thus, TourReview proposes its two products to more efficiently achieve a positive online reputation. Now, when receiving a review and viewing it from the central panel of OTA reviews within the Review Master, a translation from any language to the browser settings can be displayed with just one click. This feature extends to the Review Collector, which collects the online reviews from the operator’s customers. On the other hand, TourReview offers a geolocation analysis service. This shows a map-like graphic that illustrates the location of the company's products (tours, experiences or activities) and allows you to observe the number of reviews for each location along with the satisfaction breakdown. This is especially useful for identifying the products and destinations with the most feedback, the best rated, highest attendance and therefore, the best sellers. “It is very useful for a tour operator to understand which products and destinations are having the highest satisfaction, and at the same time it is extremely important to know which of them should pay more attention to improve the score of the reviews,” explains Juana Muro, COO of TourReview, ”this way companies can offer better experiences to their travelers, providing quality services, improving their online reputation, and therefore increasing their sales.
Ctrip, Baidu offer translation for Chinese tourists
The language barrier discourages Chinese from travelling independently, Ctrip claims Ctrip has teamed up with Baidu, the Chinese search engine, to provide a new translation service for Chinese tourists abroad. Using Baidu's "optical character recognition" (OCR) technology, tourists can translate English content into Chinese by taking a photograph of the text via the Ctrip app. The service is said to be more accurate than inputting characters manually. According to a report by the China Tourism Academy and Ctrip, more than 62 million mainland Chinese travelled abroad in the first half of 2017, up 5% year-on-year. More than half (58%) of these were independent travellers, while 42% were on group tours. The language barrier is one of the main reasons that tourists choose group tours, according to Ctrip.
Innovation takes the floor at MITE 2025
From augmented reality to unique mobility solutions, this year's Macao International Travel Expo (MITE) put innovation in the spotlight through its dedicated space for edutourism, a fusion of travel and learning, along with several unique features that highlighted the synergy between tourism and technology. At MITE 2025, the EduTourism Hive is significantly larger than it was in previous iterations of the event, and visitors found themselves awed by the range of ideas presented. While tie-ups between academic institutions, museums, and the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) were in play, many were drawn to an interactive demonstration of augmented reality (AR) / virtual reality (VR) as a means of enhancing a traveller's experience of a given destination. Especially useful in recreating destinations as they were in their original state, AR/VR tech is already a given in Macao's tourism scene as local provider IC Art offered guests a virtual tour of the SAR's iconic Ruins of St Paul back in its glory days as the Mater Dei Church. In a virtual exhibition held last month, visitors were awestruck as modern technology restored what is known to be a last wall standing into a glorious example of Portuguese architecture in the east 400 years into the territory's colonial past. Based on this and similar exhibitions held overseas, the potential of AR/VR tech could also extend into sustainable tourism, as it would enable people to experience attractions in endangered or compromised environments in a safer, more environmentally responsible manner. Is this a better way to move around? Another innovative solution presented at MITE 2025 takes the concept of electric transportation to the next level. On display in the centre of the EduTourism Hive was a prototype of a next-generation single person flyer. Essentially similar to the personal air taxis that are now doing test flights in Europe, this innovative take on urban mobility offers a more sustainable way of getting from one place to another without adding to the increasingly heavy traffic seen in too many thoroughfares the world over. The prototype and similar vehicles boast that these are certainly kinder to the environment as they are electric and may be recharged, exude no harmful emissions, and thus leave a significantly smaller carbon footprint. However, it should be noted that, as of press time, there are two things standing in the way of these solo flyers: safety, of course, and the potential cost. It is worth noting that prototypes currently being tested in Europe are being pitched to ride-hailing firms; so we may just see a shift from a four-wheeler Grab or GoJek to one that easily and speedily flies you to work without needing to catch a bus, cab, or even a commuter train. Virtual hosting in a completely different context But perhaps one of the most visible innovations seen at this year's MITE is the fact that the opening ceremony was hosted by not one, but two humanoid AI anchors. Alongside these avatars, simultaneous translation of the speeches delivered in Mandarin during the opening ceremony appeared as running text on the screens mounted onstage. Granted that the translations were imperfect as there is only so much a listening ear (human or machine) can process, it made for an impressive beginning to an event that continues to cast the spotlight on an industry that is every bit as dynamic and evolutionary as the work of scientists and developers in our rapidly changing world.
HBX Group takes travel AI to the next level
Independent B2B travel tech marketplace HBX Group is set to take the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the global travel sector to the next level. With a strategic evolution focused on automation and personalisation, the company is optimising hotel distribution, improving customer service and facilitating real-time decision making. Thanks to the integration of advanced AI models, HBX Group already handles 20 percent 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 HBX Group’s position as a leader in technological innovation, with plans to further expand automation and improve service quality. Not the future but the present According to chief operations officer Xabier Zabala, AI is not the future, but it is the present. Zabala said: “AI’s impact on distribution and personalisation 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.” In order to achieve this, the company has implemented multiple AI-based solutions that are revolutionising the booking management, customer service and commercial management of its partners. These solutions include: 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; 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; Automated content improvement; Automatic identification and execution of improvement opportunities in hotel service descriptions and experiences, as well as immediate translation into 18 languages; Anomaly prediction and detection; and Machine learning models that identify unusual patterns in bookings and user behaviour, enabling faster and more accurate detections of phishing attempts and thwarting the targets of cybercriminals How AI stands to change teamwork in the face of evolving 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 programmes 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 personalisation, 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. According to Zabala: “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 AI to optimise processes and improve the customer experience.” How technology stands to change 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.
The passing of Pope Francis in the Jubilee Year: what it means for religious tourism in the weeks to come
(Updated: 8:03pm, BKK) The passing of Pope Francis on Monday, 21st April, came as a shock to the world, one that will have an impact on various aspects of everyday life including travel in the context of religious tourism. The Roman Catholic Church is currently marking a Holy Year, colloquially known as a Jubilee, and it does so every 25 years, giving pilgrims an opportunity to seek expiation for their sins by travelling to various designated and / or known sites to seek absolution through devotional prayer, acts of faith and charity, confession, and attendance at Mass. Vatican City, the Church's seat of power, ranks first among these sites and, prior to the Pope's death, was anticipating the arrival of up to 35 million religious tourists throughout this year. But the passing and funeral of a ruling Pontiff are, in and of themselves, events of historical significance for both religious and secular travellers. If we are to look back 20 years to the passing of the much-loved Pope John Paul II, records show that over two million travellers made their way to Rome to pay their respects, and St Peter's Square overran with four million attendees for the funeral itself on 8th April 2005. Many of the travellers present actually stayed longer to witness another historical moment: the election of Benedict XVI as Pope on 19th April of that same year. Now, going back to the present, what may travellers expect over the next few days and weeks as Pope Francis is laid to his rest and the Church convenes to nominate and elect his successor? Not quite business as usual Pilgrims and mourners from all around the world began flocking to the Eternal City as early as noon of Monday, 21st April, almost as soon as the news broke regarding the death of Pope Francis. It should be noted at this point that, per Roman and Vatican authorities, the majority of accommodations, dining establishments, museums, and transportation hubs will remain open throughout the nine-day Novemdiales [mourning period]. However, tourists are being advised to be more patient and forebearing, given how officials are beginning to see a surge in the number of travellers making their way to Italy and, subsequently, to Rome. At the same time, tour operators are already issuing advisories to their clients regarding the closure of a number of areas within Vatican City, specifically parts of St Peter's Basilica, St Peter's Square, the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore (St Mary Major), and the Sistine Chapel. The Sistine Chapel, in particular, will be closed to the public throughout the Conclave wherein eligible cardinals will convene to elect the next Pontiff by virtue of an extra omnes (everyone out) order; telecommunications within the area will also be prohibited or jammed to prevent external factors influencing the outcome of the election. While it has not been confirmed as of press time, certain areas of the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore may also be closed to the public in preparation for the papal funeral. Also, given the magnitude of upcoming events, travellers should not be surprised at heightened police or military presence throughout the next three weeks, along with the placement of security checkpoints leading into Vatican City. Vatican Media/Handout via REUTERS, 22 April 2025 On events within Vatican City Prior to the death of Pope Francis, the Vatican was supposed to host two upcoming events that have significance for Christian religious tourism: the Jubilee of Teenagers celebrating the faith of young people which was supposed to run from 25th to 27th April, and the canonisation of young saint Carlo Acutis. The canonisation rites have been postponed, though authorities have yet to give a new date for them, and the programme for the Jubilee weekend has likewise been modified in light of recent events. Pilgrims travelling to Rome for the event ought to check in with their pilgrimage organiser or travel agency to see if there are any significant changes to their itineraries. For those wishing to pay their respects to the late Pontiff, his mortal remains are, at press time, in lying in state at the Domus Santa Marta where he lived throughout his pontificate. Vatican officials announced at 4:00pm local time today that the late Pope's body will be brought to St Peter's Basilica to lie in state at 9:00am local time tomorrow, 23rd April, from where he currently is at Domus Santa Marta which served as his home for 13 years. The rite of translation, the transfer of the body, will be presided over by the current Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church Cardinal Kevin Farrell before leaving for St Peter's. Vatican authorities also announced that the funeral for the Holy Father is scheduled for Saturday, 26th April, and will begin with a Mass at 10:00am local time. While admission to the funeral is free and open to all, it is prudent to reserve a place in advance as the capacity of St Peter's Square only runs to around 300,000, though crowds are expected to spill over into city streets. A final journey While not as extensively travelled as Pope John Paul II who famously took 104 overseas trips to 129 countries in a papacy that spanned over two decades, Pope Francis made his way to the four corners of the earth 45 times in his nearly 13-year-long pontificate. But both men considered themselves pilgrims making their way around the globe to express their faith by meeting the richness and diversity of human culture in person, using the medium of travel to bring hope and joy to those who needed it the most. Pope Francis' own final journey will be brief: the distance between St Peter's and Santa Maria Maggiore can be traversed by car in a mere 21 minutes, but the intrepid traveller who so inspired many to make their own spiritual journeys, the one who ironically never made his way back home, will come to his well-earned rest at the end of a long journey from Argentina to the world.
HBX Group holds MarketHub Europe 2025
Leading independent B2B traveltech marketplace HBX Group held its flagship MarketHub Europe 2025 this week in Portugal’s Algarve region. The annual event drew in industry leaders to discuss the key trends shaping the future of travel throughout the continent. During the event, company executives and sectoral experts coming from various firms in the region shared their views on Europe's role in the global landscape, advancements in technology and artificial intelligence, the rise of Gen Z and the growing importance of digital payments. HBX Group chief information officer Paula Felstead highlighted the role of technology in data processing and trend prediction. According to Felstead: "Our platform processes more than 6.2 billion searches and 80,000 requests per second. Therefore, we have invested €200 million in technology in the last 3 years, with the aim of facilitating faster, more reliable, and scalable connections between our partners, whether they are travel product providers or distributors." The commitment to technological innovation is also reflected in the advanced use of Artificial Intelligence in operational processes. Discussing this, HBX Group chief operations officer Xabier Zabala anchored his presentation on the real-world applications of generative AI in travel operations. From "Olivia," the AI- powered customer service platform, to voice coaching systems, machine translations, and image fraud detection, Zabala demonstrated how technology is empowering human talent and transforming key processes. With regard to the digital transformation of the financial sector in terms of travel and tourism, chief product and new business officer Daniel Nordholm declared: "The integration of smart payments and efficient treasury management are key to the sustainable growth of the sector.” Dealing with evolution in a dynamic market Europe continues to consolidate its position as a key region for global tourism growth. Destinations such as Portugal, Greece, and Croatia are leading the surge in international arrivals following the pandemic, with the Algarve serving as an example of sustainable development and a comprehensive travel experience. HBX Group deputy chief executive Carlos Muñoz remarked: "The Algarve welcomed 5.2 million visitors in 2024, double the number ten years ago, and represents a model for a diversified, responsible destination connected to the new demands of travellers.” He further highlighted that the global travel industry is valued at $11 trillion and is growing twice as fast as the global economy. Indeed, the B2B travel market is projected to reach $94 billion by 2032, reinforcing the importance of strategic alliances. At the same time, the rise of experiential tourism and the arrival of new profiles such as digital nomads are redefining the offerings throughout the region, with a growing focus on sustainability, authenticity, and technology. Younger people are leading the way For his part, HBX’s chief strategy and transformation officer Javier Cabrerizo focused on the impact of Gen Z on the travel industry. Cabrerizo explained that, for them, travel is not just a form of leisure, but an essential part of their identity, a way to express themselves, connect, and share. He also emphasised that Gen Z travellers seek authentic, personalised, and sustainable experiences. The younger generation represents 30 percent of the global population and 40 percent of all consumers, and their way of travelling is redefining the rules of the game: they seek convenience, flexibility, and a seamless digital experience from start to finish. They are also heavy users of social media content, which becomes their primary source of inspiration and decision-making when planning. Gen Z travellers also value peace of mind: more than 70 percent suffer from frequent anxiety, which is why they prioritise trips with support, insurance, and frictionless logistics. A new phase as a listed company The recent debut of HBX Group as a listed company in the Spanish Stock Market was also part of the conversation. Isabel Green, Director of Investor Relations, and Carla Stent, independent board member of the Group, highlighted the role of governance and transparency as fundamental pillars following the IPO. Stent declared: "This milestone positions us to attract new investments and continue promoting our B2B model with a unique value proposition.” MarketHub Europe consolidates its position as a leading event for thought leadership, industry collaboration, and trend analysis, reaffirming HBX Group's commitment to collaborative growth, responsible technology, and the future of global tourism.
Myanmar-Thailand earthquake underscores need for travel insurance
Following the earthquake that rocked Myanmar and the Thai capital Bangkok on 28th March, many people travelling to nations within the Ring of Fire are contemplating the purchase of travel insurance policies for their trips. While most people would dismiss such a purchase as unnecessary, it has proven a boon to foreign travellers who were in Myanmar and Thailand during the quake. Having a policy in effect during the disaster enabled them to get necessary assistance, and this was key in a country where getting to one’s embassy or even communicating with relevant authorities for help was hampered by the widespread destruction. What your travel insurance cover needs to provide Many travel insurance providers have policies that have you covered well before and certainly during the trip in the event of either natural or man-made disasters. Keeping this in mind, your travel insurance provider may be able to reimburse you for any unexpected costs or losses in the event of a cancellation or an unexpected interruption. With regard to natural disasters, a clustered set known as force majeure, many insurance companies include trip cancellation coverage for events like earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, avalanches, and tsunamis. Depending on your provider, it is highly possible that any unused nonrefundable trip costs may be reimbursed based on the stipulated benefits in your policy. In the event of a medical emergency caused by a natural disaster, one’s travel insurance also involves the reimbursement of any medical expenses incurred for treatment. Many emergency providers affiliated with insurance firms are available on a 24-hour basis, and their on-call teams can bring affected travellers to the closest hospital or medical facility, perform evacuations when necessary, and offer clerical and translation services to sort out any paperwork generated in the process. What about flights, tours, and cruises? Missed flights and sailings are to be expected in the event of a natural disaster, so insurance providers offer what is known as a missed connection cover. This comes into play if one’s flight were to be delayed due to a natural disaster like an earthquake or tsunami, and also applies in the case of cancelled tours or cruise departures. Having an insurance policy that covers such incidents is key to having peace of mind even in the worst of circumstances, knowing that you’re covered by some degree of protection. Another thing to take into consideration when choosing a travel insurance provider is whether or not they cover non-medical evacuations, especially in the event of a natural disaster or even civil unrest. Companies that provide non-medical evacuation could help coordinate and pay for transportation to the nearest safe place in the event of such incidents during your trip. Keeping all these in mind, be sure to have the contact details for your provider available where you can easily find them prior to and during your trip; doing so will grant more than a modicum of peace for you and your companions even under unfavourable circumstances.
JR Pass reveals its top five onsen destinations for 2025
While urban tourism in places like Kyoto, Osaka, and Tokyo remain high on the list of most travellers heading to Japan, onsen [hot spring] destinations offering relaxation and wellness options are still the option of choice for both domestic and foreign travellers. As spring sets in, bookings are rising for onsen throughout Japan as people wish to cleanse both body and spirit after being cocooned all winter. In which case, Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) presents travellers with its annual list of the five must-visit hot spring towns for this year. As JR Pass founder Haroun Khan points out: “Visiting the famous Japanese onsen destinations is a perfect way to immerse yourself in tradition, culture and the many benefits of the geothermal volcanic hot spring water.” These resorts were selected based on client reviews, pricing, accessibility, as well as the quality of amenities and services offered to those coming in for a much-needed soak. The best hot spring towns to visit in 2025 Hakone With its reasonable JP¥500 admission price and excellent accessibility measures, a trip to Hakone is a perfect hot spring experience. With a staggering 60 bath houses, three times more than any other onsen, the variety offered in Hakone means everyone can experience the benefits of the volcanic spring water. Nozawa Nozawa’s hot springs offer free admission to both local and foreign travellers. It’s the perfect spot for enjoying rejuvenating hot springs that help soothe the body and clear the mind. Conveniently located near the slopes, the 13 thermal baths in the area are excellent for those looking for an apres-ski venue to unwind in. Gero The onsen town in third place offers hot springs with a traditional feel and exceptionally mineral-rich waters. Here, there are ten thermal baths to explore, as well as foot baths for those made footsore by a day spent exploring the area’s cultural attractions. Admission is priced at JP¥700, and is a great choice for those seeking to explore the more traditional aspects of onsen bathing. Kinosaki Though its JP¥1500 admission price is higher than the national average, Kinosaki is perfect for international travellers as it is more inclusive and the town itself has a more liberal and modern mindset. With regard to inclusivity and accessibility, all seven of the natural springs at Kinosaki welcome individuals with tattoos. Likewise, English translations are provided to ensure tourists can relax in and experience the high-quality waters. Dogo Last but not the least, the spa town of Dogo is considered one of the country’s oldest hot spring resort areas. Dogo’s hot springs are popular with tourists who want to experience its impressive architecture and history. Highly accessible and offering a reasonable admission price of JP¥420, Dogo is an essential destination to experience traditional culture and history during the colder months.
Philippine Department of Tourism prioritises disaster-hit tourism workers
The Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) announced that tourism workers in areas hit by natural and man-made calamities are now given priority in terms of government financial aid. The announcement was made on Thursday, 23rd January, as the DOT formalised a partnership with the country’s Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD.) The memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the partnership, titled with the vernacular translation of Cooperating for a Future with Hope in Tourism, was originally conceptualised as a response to the catastrophic Oriental Mindoro oil spill in 2023, a crisis that affected over a thousand tourism workers after oil slicks reached several coastal destinations in the province. Based on the terms of the partnership, the DOT will host alternative livelihood training programmes to emergency- or disaster-hit tourism front-liners. The DSWD, on the other hand, will include affected tourism workers among those on the priority list for cash transfers, cash for work, and training for cash initiatives. A necessary partnership Tourism secretary Christina Frasco said: “The partnership between the DOT and the DSWD under this mechanism will be activated in the wake of calamities and disaster. We do not wish for any more disasters to befall the country but should it happen, the DOT and the DSWD partnership will be there to help our tourism workers. For his part, social welfare secretary Rex Gatchalian said the classification was made as most of these tourism workers, especially those working in far-flung areas, are themselves part of the marginalised sector. Gatchalian said: “We have numerous tourist destinations located within small municipalities that are usually hit hard in the event of a natural disaster. Our mandate at the DSWD is to aid the poor and the marginalised; so why are tourism workers considered a priority sector? Given the trillions earned by the tourism sector for the economy, it is vital that we take care of the most important part of the industry: our tourism and hospitality workers.” The livelihood programmes offered by the DOT include handicraft training, homestay operations and management, a backgrounder in farm tourism, as well as training in traditional massage and culinary traditions.
Phuket Hotels for Islands Sustaining Tourism (PHIST 5)
PHIST (Phuket Hotels for Islands Sustaining Tourism) 2022 is an innovative event rallying the hotel industry and its stakeholders to discuss both environmental sustainability and social impact and governance.