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In an increasingly connected travel industry, digitalisation is no longer a choice for hotels: it’s an operational necessity. Recent traveller surveys - including research by Oracle Hospitality and Skift - confirm what the industry has long known: guests expect digital-first experiences. More than 70% of travellers prefer to manage at least part of their stay online from their mobile device, and over half are willing to switch brands if offered a more seamless and digital journey. Beyond guest satisfaction, digitalisation is now central to business growth and profitability. Automation reduces manual workload, eliminates human errors, and helps hotels respond faster to changes in demand. With travellers booking, checking in, and paying online more than ever before, digitalising the hotel’s operational backbone is key to staying competitive in a rapidly evolving marketplace.Overcoming today’s hotel operational challengesWith the hospitality landscape changing so rapidly, it's natural for hoteliers to experience uncertainty. Travellers expect more, operating costs are rising, and technology continues to evolve at a pace. Yet, many hotels still face daily operational hurdles that make it harder to deliver efficient, guest-centric experiences. Let’s have a closer look at the main pain points faced by hoteliers today: Guests expecting seamless digital and personalised experiences Today’s travellers are used to managing their lives online, from banking to booking flights. They now expect the same convenience and control during their hotel stay. When processes such as check-in, payments, or upselling are still manual, the guest journey feels fragmented. This can lead to lower satisfaction and missed revenue opportunities Rising labour costs and ongoing staff shortages With global staff shortages persisting across the hospitality sector, many hotels are operating with smaller teams. At the same time, labour costs continue to rise, putting additional pressure on profitability. Digital tools that automate repetitive tasks (from registration forms to invoice issuing) allow teams to focus on what really matters: delivering an excellent guest experience. Increasing tech costs and difficulty integrating separate systems The average hotel now uses more than a dozen different technology solutions across departments. Yet, most of these tools are not designed to talk to each other. Industry research shows the problem is widespread: 49% of hoteliers struggle to access critical data, and 40% cite disconnected systems as their biggest obstacle. This fragmentation not only wastes resources but also limits decision-making. Hours of operations lost to inefficient, manual processes Manual check-ins, printed documents, and traditional payment workflows are still common in many properties. These processes slow down service, create bottlenecks, and increase the risk of administrative errors. The time spent on these tasks could instead be invested in guest interaction and personalisation. These pain points collectively highlight that many hotels are still operating with systems that don’t communicate effectively. While many hotels have already embraced digital marketing and a B2B distribution strategy, a significant number still rely on manual or disconnected processes for core operations: from check-in, upsell, and cross-sell options, to payments and check-out. This lack of digitisation and integration can limit guest satisfaction and add unnecessary operational friction. For instance, traditional check-in processes often result in long queues, administrative errors, and unnecessary workload for hotel staff. Paper-based forms and manual data entry consume resources (ink, paper, storage, etc.), but also valuable time that could instead be dedicated to guest service. To address these challenges, the hospitality sector is inevitably adapting smart technologies that automate routine tasks and create frictionless guest experiences. This is where Civitfun plays a leading role.How Civitfun powers hotel digital transformationCivitfun, now part of HBX Group, has become a catalyst for change within hotel operations, helping hotels transition from traditional processes to a fully digital workflow, from pre-arrival to post-stay. With a hub of over 100 integrations with PMS, payment gateways, and electronic locks, Civitfun offers solutions ranging from online check-in to check-out, including Paperless, its on-site digital check-in solution, digital payments, upsell and cross-sell tools, and other solutions that contribute to operational optimisation. Each of these solutions addresses a specific operational challenge while enhancing guest satisfaction, helping hotels save time, reduce costs, and increase revenue opportunities. This innovative suite helps to relieve the aforementioned pain points and provides the following benefits for hotels, both independent and hotel chains: Tech cost reduction by offering an all-in-one solution, able to integrate and sync bidirectionally with the hotel PMS, eliminating redundant and fragmented systems. Cost savings by eliminating manual tasks, reducing reception workload, and enabling hotels to operate better with less staff. Guest satisfaction improvement by offering seamless, personalised digital experiences that are increasingly in demand by travellers. When it comes to success stories and real results, this leading solution for front desk process digitisation has already helped more than 3,500 hotels to streamline their processes. One such case is PortAventura World in Spain, which relied on Civitfun to improve the guest experience at the park's hotels and achieved check-in processes up to three times faster, a 50% reduction in waiting times, and an increase in guest ratings to 9 out of 10.Why digitalisation matters nowThe timing of digital transformation has never been more critical. Travellers are not only demanding more control but also expecting real-time communication from hotels. Meanwhile, staff shortages across the sector are pushing hoteliers to rethink how they manage operations efficiently with leaner teams. Digital tools like Civitfun’s solutions help address both sides of the equation: they meet guest expectations while reducing the operational burden. A digital-first strategy is also the way forward, as it prepares hotels to adapt quickly to new booking patterns, emerging payment methods, and evolving guest preferences. In short, the hotels that act now to modernise their processes will be the ones best positioned to lead tomorrow’s travel landscape. As the hospitality industry navigates this shift, partnerships between technology leaders and hotel brands are key to enabling real transformation.Why work with HBX GroupThe incorporation of Civitfun into HBX Group’s B2B travel marketplace has been a natural step, as this tech company brings extensive expertise in integrations and a deep understanding of the travel and hospitality sector, with previous agreements with solutions such as Roiback, thus integrating perfectly into the HBX Group travel ecosystem. By integrating Civitfun’s technology, HBX Group can now offer hotels not only global B2B distribution but also operational excellence through digital automation. This acquisition marks a strategic step in strengthening its TravelTech ecosystem and expanding its offering for hotel partners. At HBX Group, we understand that digital transformation goes beyond technology: it’s about partnership, connections, and shared success. Our ecosystem connects hotels with a global network of over 60,000 travel distributors, including 50,000 travel agencies and 3,500 tour operators, while supporting them with innovative tools designed to simplify operations. When you partner with HBX Group, you gain access to: A connected TravelTech ecosystem: bringing together distribution, automation, and data-driven insights. Operational efficiency: reducing manual work and enhancing performance through digital solutions. Global market reach: access to more than 190 source markets, without competing with your direct channels. Collaborative support: a partnership built on trust, transparency, and innovation. Ready to evolve your operations? Become an HBX Group partner and discover how our TravelTech solutions can transform your hotel business. Register your property

About Experience Kissimmee:Celebrating a decade of success, Experience Kissimmee, the official tourism authority for Osceola County, Florida, is dedicated to creating economic opportunities by driving tourism to the region. Known as the Vacation Home Capital of the World®, Kissimmee offers a wide variety of accommodations, with convenient access to world-famous theme parks and just minutes from Orlando International Airport (MCO). With a vision to be a trailblazer in destination marketing, Experience Kissimmee promotes Central Florida’s diverse tourism experiences to the world. By welcoming millions of visitors each year, whether for leisure, business, or sports events, the organisation is committed to support local economic growth and continues to position the region as a premier travel destination. For more information, visit www.experiencekissimmee.com.About Kissimmee:Located at the heart of Florida, Kissimmee is 25 minutes from Orlando International Airport (MCO), close to world-famous theme parks and attractions, offers a variety of shopping and dining locations, and provides access to natural spaces" and outdoor adventures carefully preserved natural spaces and outdoor adventures. Also known as the Vacation Home Capital of the World®, Kissimmee has approximately 50,000 options of accommodations, including sprawling hotels and resorts, and more than 30,000 vacation homes ranging from two-bedroom condos to 15-bedroom mansions. The Challenge: What was Experience Kissimmee’s main goal?One of the main goals for Experience Kissimmee, which was one of the key motivators for their partnership with HBX Group, was the desire to increase the visitation levels to the destination. They wanted to expand on the global awareness of what Kissimmee offers, and more specifically to put it ‘on the map’ for a larger international audience.In addition, while Experience Kissimmee had established a memorable brand for Kissimmee as a destination, they were looking for external support to ensure their awareness campaigns turned into conversions: booked trips and increasing international visits.We recently spoke to Cristina López, International & Domestic Sales Manager for North America at Experience Kissimmee, at our MarketHub Americas event who suggested that their main challenge was ‘support on conversions and increasing visitation to our destination, and primarily to let the world know where Kissimmee is, as the ‘Big Bold Heart of Florida.’López mentioned that ‘as we are very much a destination that is funded by Tourism Development Tax, we really needed help on the conversion portion of visitation to our destination, and a lot of the marketing campaigns [we ran] were focusing on impressions versus conversions.’  The Solution: How did HBX Group help?In terms of storytelling, Experience Kissimmee had been curating impactful marketing and sales campaigns which showcased the ‘endless opportunities’ in the destination, and as López said, ‘we love to welcome all our visitors, international or domestic, not only to our world famous theme parks; but also to the rest, and have other unique experiences that are very much connecting with nature.’But when it came to the core focus of these campaigns, and uplifting the conversion levels of these marketing efforts, this is where Experience Kissimmee sought expert advice and guidance.This is what prompted Experience Kissimmee to reach out to HBX Group (then Hotelbeds) during 2020, in order to capitalise on our experience offering Marketing as a Service solutions for Destination Marketing Organisations (DMOs) all over the world, as well as our established position as a global partner for travel businesses across the industry.‘When we reached out and partnered with HBX Group, it definitely helped us to make it click and brought what we needed to make sure [our campaigns] would make sense,’ López revealed.Experience Kissimmee’s objectives were twofold – to increase global awareness and visitation levels for Kissimmee, and to implement marketing campaigns which resulted in higher conversion levels. This objective was compounded due to the challenges they faced during the pandemic, and the consequent need to increase awareness on an international scale as a result of decreased inbound activity.However, it was clear that the solution was interconnected: to drive higher conversions and uplift their global brand awareness, we needed to understand the core focus of Experience Kissimmee’s sales and marketing campaigns, to turn positive impression metrics into tangible bookings and ROI and revitalise international revenue streams.By establishing a close working relationship, based on transparency and clear communication, HBX Group were able to identify Experience Kissimmee’s core targets and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), which enabled a realistic and goal-oriented marketing strategy.Plus, our Key Account Managers and destination marketing teams ensured that responsiveness was one of the key elements of this partnership, given that proactive guidance was vital for Experience Kissimmee: ‘We really love everyone at HBX Group that we've been interacting with, for the openness, communication, and the information [received] but above all the responsiveness. Which is very key in order for us to make things happen,’ López stated.This close partnership allowed HBX Group to better understand where the opportunities were present based on Experience Kissimmee’s past and current campaigns and marketing initiatives, to offer and implement bespoke marketing solutions that targeted their ideal audiences in a more granular and impactful way.By utilising our experience in delivering insight-driven, partner-centric strategic marketing campaigns, we were able to work collaboratively with Experience Kissimmee to generate more opportunities for exposure and market share.This approach was applicable to both domestic and international markets, which was key for Experience Kissimmee and their main objective of increasing global awareness levels for this destination.López also commented on the benefit of our reach and networking connections, which allowed Experience Kissimmee the increased exposure, especially at key events like the MarketHub, HBX Group’s flagship events: ‘We’ve been grateful to have your support not just domestically, but internationally, thanks to the networking and reach that HBX Group has. As well as providing the support that comes with having all our products covered and being able to deliver to our B2B clients and partners.’The established positioning of HBX Group within key international markets was a core benefit for Experience Kissimmee, as López confirmed:‘[The partnership] really helped us to stay afloat and immerse ourselves in our international markets, and be able to stay, be present, be relevant and continue increasing brand awareness and visitation into our destination.’   The Outcome: Why HBX Group was able to elevate Experience Kissimmee’s successThe result? A significant upward trend to the number of room nights booked to Kissimmee. In discussion with us, López suggested that ‘it's been wonderful to see the increase of room nights booked primarily into our destination because like I said, our destination is funded by our county on the bed tax. So HBX Group has helped us to drive that increase in room bookings, which brings [into focus] the value of targeting and accomplishing our KPIs as well.’Data-oriented, López highlighted the value of the actionable reporting that Experience Kissimmee have received throughout our partnership, which has allowed them to more accurately identify which potential markets represented the best, long-standing investment opportunities. López also revealed that this partnership has empowered Experience Kissimmee to establish new partnerships themselves, exemplified by the recent expansion into Puerto Rico as a new market, as a result of their scaled presence.As HBX Group is a leader in the B2B TravelTech industry and a key ecosystem player, we benefit from a wealth of experience not only for our sourcing teams, but also in travel marketing and assisting DMOs just like Experience Kissimmee in uplifting the success and impact of their destination.This meant that Experience Kissimmee had an expert team at their side, but also a transparent partner dedicated to their growth.López mused that this mutually beneficial connection has been one of the defining factors of this strategic partnership: ‘It really has set you apart, the strong relationship you have internationally [with the industry]. Because it was easy to secure the domestic market post-COVID primarily, which is right around the time when we were able to connect with HBX Group.’Through expert guidance and support to deliver converting campaigns, beneficial networking opportunities, and the established channels offered as part of HBX Group’s wider ecosystem structure, Experience Kissimmee have elevated their positioning in both domestic and international markets.Overall, this partnership has better established Experience Kissimmee in both their existing domestic and new international markets, empowered them to forge connections with valuable providers and clients across the industry, and drive more bookings to the destination as a result of stimulated demand.HBX Group has also been able to gain valuable experience in guiding a profitable partnership for Experience Kissimmee as a DMO, enhancing our reputation as a true partner and leader in the B2B travel distribution space.López mused on the success of the partnership in conversation with us, and where she sees this going in the future: ‘We are super excited to continue with HBX Group primarily because our relationship is really a true partnership that we've been building. It's really that collaborative marketing and sales between us that is really making it happen for our strategic goals.’ Why partner with HBX Group?HBX Group is connecting and empowering businesses in the ever-evolving world of travel.By delivering fast and reliable access to a global network of interconnected products and services, we empower choice for partners, while removing friction from the end-to-end travel experience. 190+ source markets.Over 60,000 travel distributors in our network.Products in 170+ countries.An expansive global portfolio – 250,000+ properties and 23,000+ experiences.Powerful travel booking platforms that handle 7 billion searches per day.1000+ support agents for on-hand, expert advice and guidance. Experience for yourself our best-in-class platforms, and bespoke B2B travel solutions, dedicated to your growth.  Register your property

Disclaimer: This article was first featured in our annual MarketHub Pulse magazine, published prior to October 2025. For this reason, there may be some discrepancies in details, such as job titles. Access your complimentary copy of MarketHub Pulse Review by clicking here.The MarketHub is an excellent incubator for ideation: from quality keynotes from thought leaders to cross-cultural networking opportunities, HBX Group’s flagship event is a must-attend for those seeking fresh perspective, and the solutions to support business growth. Moreover, the MarketHub serves as a launchpad for new products and partnerships – and at the MarketHub Americas, attendees were introduced to Civitfun, a hospitality tech innovator specialising in digitalising hotel operations. Why Civitfun? Acquired by HBX Group in May 2025, the company’s tech infrastructure and integrations will further the Group’s mission to simplify the travel ecosystem. Civitfun’s offering spans 60 PMS platforms and more than 3500 clients across 36 countries – combined with HBX Group’s portfolio of 250,000 properties, the ability to reduce operational headaches for hoteliers (and to enhance the guest experience) is multiplied significantly. The streamlining of the end-to-end travel experience a sought-after goal of many, and not limited to travel players alone: with 70% of travellers desiring a fully-digital journey, but only 1 in 4 hotels able to offer such an experience, reducing friction at check-in has fast emerged as a priority. Coupled with the fact that 80% of hoteliers report struggles with staff shortages, intervention ought to come fast and affordably. In Panama, Civitfun’s founder, Mariano Oleza de Espana, took to the stage to share his view that solutions don’t necessary call for intervention, but integration…and true partnership. Likening the perfect end-to-end travel experience to other facets of the tourism industry (‘Why can airports deliver a seamless digital experience, but hotels can’t?’), Oleza de Espana’s belief is that all systems should ‘talk to each other’: one platform, to connect all systems in real-time. Or, true digital partnership. It’s through Civitfun’s integrations that such an experience can be brought to life, but takes more than a product to further simplification: it takes an ecosystem. The acquisition of Civitfun by HBX Group underscores the Group’s position as an ecosystem partner, driven by a commitment to simplify travel for all. In addition to removing friction, this ‘ecosystem’ approach’ – in which constituents from all areas of the travel sector and even beyond can ‘plug in’ and share resources – grants seamless access to the sum of the industry’s greatest parts: powerful technology, a world-best product portfolio, data, and so on. HBX Group’s Chief Growth Officer, Mark Antipof, further outlined the benefits of partnering with an ecosystem player, with HBX Group itself bringing together those from the FinTech, InsurTech and Marketing space to drive growth, not only for those in traditional tourism spaces, but those who seek to benefit from one of the most lucrative industries on earth. ‘All of these elements exist today,’ shared Antipof, ‘either in their specific domain, or in another industry. So, why not here [in travel]?'In many ways, HBX Group is paving the way: within its ecosystem offering, the Group drives partnerships between tech houses, banks and insurers, to name a few, as well as traditional travel players such as hotels, wholesalers, travel agents and airlines. In all regions where the MarketHub 2025 was held, representatives from each sector took turns to contribute their views across a range of keynotes and panels: InsurTech and FinTech players exchanged perspectives on their products’ roles in the ecosystem (‘What is the Future of Payments and Insurance in Tech?’); hoteliers, airlines and experience providers shared their unique experiences of working with a TravelTech partner, and the benefits of ‘leaning in’; while not to forget the essence of the MarketHub as a whole: to invite businesses across all sectors, to shape the future together – and that includes discovering new partnerships, and new revenue streams.Across all events, Group CCO, Carlos Muñoz, revealed that the travel and tourism sector is said to be worth $11 trillion USD – leaving little wonder why financial institutions, employee benefits providers, and other such industry players might seek to partner with those more traditional members of the travel sector, for example, in order to start selling travel products via white label solutions. For those already within the travel sector, a growing product portfolio – including mobility and experience, insurance, and digital payment solutions – only strengthens their own offering. In all, ecosystem partnerships are evidentially a strategic lever: to lead the charge towards crafting the connected trip, to diversifying revenue streams, and to remain competitive, secure, and supported. Sam Alamillo (Outpayce by Amadeus) concurred: ‘Our philosophy of how we work with our partners is one based on our relationship and trust. Even being here [at the MarketHub Americas], everything seems to be driven so much around relationships, and this mutual goal of all of us being successful. Those are the key principles [of partnership]: who is in it to make sure that you’re successful? Who is in it for the long run? And who can you trust to make that success a reality?’ Ready to unlock partnerships in the travel industry? Register with HBX GroupSee more from the MarketHub in our exclusive magazine, featuring travel insights, interviews with thought leaders, and hot topics from our regional events. Click to access your free copy now.

Our goal is to help you better understand the benefits that our powerful extranet can bring to your property. That’s why, throughout this article, we’ll walk you through the main features and advantages of our renowned tool — recently revamped and optimised — which will be gradually rolled out to all our hotel partners over the coming weeks. In addition, you’ll have access to our newly redesigned Help Centre, where you can find everything you need to make the most of your experience with the Partner Portal (formerly known as MaxiRoom). Curious to see what it has to offer? Keep reading! What’s the Partner Portal?Once you join HBX Group, your journey to boost bookings and maximise revenue will begin. This means you’ll gain access to a wide range of tools that will make your daily tasks easier. One of the first platforms you’ll be able to leverage from the beginning will be the Partner Portal. The Partner Portal is a free platform designed to simplify property management. Every hotel with a contract with HBX Group has access to our all-in-one tool. As soon as you receive your HBX Group's login credentials, you'll be able to log in for the first time and explore its interface. Our Partner Portal has recently been renovated, improving key areas to ensure a better experience for our hotel partners. In a nutshell, these are some of the enhancements you’ll see in the platform very soon: More autonomy: View your availability, rates, and inventory directly in the HBX Group Partner Portal. Create and manage users with the right permissions, without relying on HBX Group teams. More simplicity: The platform has been redesigned with intuitive navigation and improved usability, allowing you to manage your property quicker and easier than ever before. More security: Manage your property in a robust, secure, and scalable environment that protects your business and supports your growth.In addition, for hotels connected via a channel manager or FIT partners, you’ll now experience greater speed and efficiency. Launch new rate plans, seasonal promotions, and evergreen contracts in just minutes. Faster updates mean more chances to capture demand and increase bookings. Want to start your onboarding process with us and get access to it? Register your property now. How can our Partner Portal help you?Our extranet has been specifically designed to help hoteliers like you with daily operations and booking management. This is why we offer a variety of features to assist you: Update your hotel profile easily at any time. You’ll be able to revise a wide range of facilities, entertainment options, meals, and other services shown; upload high-quality pictures showing your property (be sure to choose the best photo as the lead image); and add engaging descriptions about your property’s unique selling points. View your inventory, rates, availability, and prices. Retrieve your bookings independently. Check out today's arrivals, bookings, and cancellations. You'll be able to view bookings with check-out dates up to one year in the past. Easily monitor your connectivity with your channel manager, as well as manage its registration, cancellation, or modification. See financial information and payment methods* such as Virtual Credit Card (VCC) or Wire Transfers, and edit as necessary. Contact us via the webform located in the menu. With our webform, you can identify the category you need help with in just a few clicks. All the information can be viewed in 15 different languages, such as Spanish, German, Thai, Japanese, and Chinese. Plus, FIT partners and hotels with channel manager connectivity can take advantage of new promotions each month, only available on the Partner Portal's platform. The promotions are designed according to customer behaviour and needs, taking into account a variety of variables, like popular dates in the main markets, and offers that perform well at different times of the year (such as early bookings and long-stays). *This feature is available based on user role and access permissions. Restricted to Finance and Admin profiles only. How does our Partner Portal complement a channel manager?Are you currently using a channel manager, or are you interested in incorporating one into your distribution operations? A channel manager is a key partner to streamline your daily work and increase revenue. At times, it can be difficult to understand how an extranet and a channel manager can work together. However, which may seem complex at first glance, is much simpler in reality. Our Partner Portal is a complementary tool to the channel manager. While channel managers enable a comprehensive rate and availability strategy across all distribution channels, the Partner Portal is designed for more targeted, B2B-specific actions. Use the Partner Portal to launch focused campaigns or special offers that boost sales and visibility within your B2B network. You can also tailor your property descriptions and content directly in the portal to better engage B2B partners, helping them promote your hotel effectively to their high-value clients. As mentioned above, there’s a section on the Partner Portal where you’ll be able to consult all your connectivity data, and manage channel managers' deactivation, registration, among others. Frequently asked questions about the HBX Group's Partner PortalSince we want you to be able to work independently and confidently with our tool from the get-go, we’ve put together several articles, how-to videos, and useful information exclusively designed for extranet users. This way, we’ll accompany you on your journey to explore and discover all that the Partner Portal has to offer. Throughout the years, we’ve detected the main doubts regarding our platform, and have responded to these frequently asked questions in our Help Centre. There, you’ll find the solutions to queries such as: How to update your availability and rate plans, how to create a new plan, how to add rooms to your rate plans, and so forth. How to get your content and images ready to attract guests. How to manage your bookings, including providing the Hotel Confirmation Number (HCN), and searching for a booking. How to charge your VCC or financial info, how to invoice your bookings, how to update your bank details, among others. These are just a few of the topics covered in our resources hub. This space will be constantly updated, so you'll always have access to the most updated information and help. Visit our Help Centre now and get answers to your most frequently asked questions! This has been just a small preview of all the exciting changes coming your way — changes that will greatly help you streamline your day-to-day property management with HBX Group. Over the next few weeks, you’ll gradually gain access to this new, optimised platform. We hope you make the most of everything it has to offer! Finally, the Partner Portal is just one of the fantastic advantages you’ll enjoy when joining HBX Group. If your property isn’t yet listed with us, now is the perfect time to join and gain access to over 60,000 travel distributors worldwide — helping you attract more high-value bookings. Register your property today and start your onboarding journey with us. JOIN US TODAY