Alliances That Promote Innovative Solutions For Society

The tourism sector has been growing and evolving for decades, and its weight in the economy is increasing. Only in Mexico, the World Travel and Tourism Council has forecasts that tourism will account for 14.7 percent of national GDP in 2022. This is an industry that suffered heavily from the pandemic and which has re-emerged with even greater strength and intensity. The current situation demands that professionals are up to the task of providing innovative solutions that improve the industry and adapt to the new reality. In this regard, we are used to seeing startups all the time. It is also common to see companies joining together to boost their businesses. But what doesn't happen so often is the association of companies to promote innovative solutions with a clear focus on making life easier for their customers. 

That is what has recently happened with the agreement signed between AXA Insurance and BYHOURS, two companies with business objectives and projects focused on innovation and personalisation of their services. Since last October, the French multinational has covered its policyholders with our hotel hours service through the web or app. 

The new product in the hotel industry is thus positioned not only as a leisure plan or an alternative in travel but also as a solution to unforeseen events or emergencies that may arise: the car breaks down, a canceled flight or a water leak at home, among others. So, beyond making users aware that a hotel is much more than a room (a spa, a swimming pool, or a rooftop to enjoy a few hours and disconnect), we also show them that it is a practical alternative in case of emergency or need. We combine the concept of micro-holidays with necessities. 

With this new business model, we are revolutionizing the hotel industry so that users can book three, six or 12 hours of hotel accommodation and pay only for the time they need. Thus, it is one of the most significant innovations in the hotel industry in recent years. These packs of hours are what we call microstays, and their objective is to bring flexibility to a sector that has so far been very much bound to fixed rules and schedules. For the time being, the agreement only covers policyholders in Mexico. However, thanks to the global nature of the microstays, the insured will be covered in more than 25 countries, with more than 4,000 key chains and independent hotels. 

BYHOURS started life as a B2C model in 2012, and the main break or challenge during the first three years was supply and software development. The travel industry is classic and traditional. It is very difficult to evolve a product or innovate, but that is exactly what BYHOURS did. On the other hand, we had created software for the hotelier from scratch, offering them a new way to upload availability and set pricing. We also became the channel manager for microstays and expanded internationally. 

Then three years ago, we decided to move into the B2B and B2B2C markets to compete with other players in the industry. Last year, we introduced the broker concept, so all the technology we employ is built around these three different business verticals. 

What this means, is that we have revamped and published our internal BYHOURS API (the BYHOURS API is a set of services that enables the entire booking process, from search to confirmation and review/cancellation). At the same time, our partners are connecting their system with us using the BYHOURS API to get all our content and to be able to make bookings through it. 

Once connected to those partners, they will be able to extend our capabilities to all their customers. Therefore, we are reshaping our platform to ensure that the expected increase in traffic is supported. 

For BYHOURS, this agreement with AXA is part of this new B2B2C business model we are committed to, which aims to reach more people and allow other companies to offer innovative products and services that add value to their customers in a simple way. Undoubtedly, this alliance will be the precursor of many others as it seeks to benefit all parties equally. 

Our supply today is ready to absorb high demand, as we currently have around 6,000 rooms/days in more than 250 destinations/cities. Increasing our direct investment in our channels (byhours.com and our app) alongside the mentioned collaboration opportunities allows us to grow together, whether in the B2B or B2C vertical. 

That is where we are today. In the coming months, we will continue to work toward extending our capacity. The challenge will be to change the internal mindset, although our crew is ready to set sail as we have a clear course based on a tried and tested methodology. 

I believe that continuing to have the customer at the center of the business and seeking alliances that add benefits and innovate to improve people's daily lives will be the success of companies and their associates. The tourism sector must invest in technology to add value to society and continue evolving and growing as a core industry.