{"id":13485,"date":"2025-12-19T13:50:23","date_gmt":"2025-12-19T12:50:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.voxelgroup.net\/blog\/?p=13485"},"modified":"2025-12-19T13:50:23","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T12:50:23","slug":"two-sides-of-the-same-coin-payments-between-travel-agencies-and-hotels","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.voxelgroup.net\/blog\/en\/two-sides-of-the-same-coin-payments-between-travel-agencies-and-hotels\/","title":{"rendered":"Two sides of the same coin: payments between travel agencies and hotels"},"content":{"rendered":"Tiempo de lectura:<\/span> 2<\/span> minutos<\/span><\/span>

In the travel industry,\u00a0the lack of technology can slow down the\u00a0<\/span>payments\u00a0between travel agencies and hotels<\/span><\/b>:\u00a0operations can take up to\u00a090 days, through\u00a0bank transfers, and multiple email approvals. Reducing this friction is essential to improve efficiency and deliver a better customer experience.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This contrast was the starting point of the Bavel Travel Summit<\/a> session<\/span><\/b>\u00a0moderated\u00a0<\/span>by<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>Marta Cid<\/span><\/b>, Head of Sales, Travel Sellers EMEA at\u00a0Outpayce\u00a0from Amadeus, alongside two expert voices:\u00a0<\/span>Gisella Molla<\/span><\/b>, Managing Director at Business Travel Centre, and\u00a0<\/span>Xavier Croix<\/span><\/b>, Head of Payment and Collection Strategy at Grupo Pi\u00f1ero.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The travel agency perspective: security and automation<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Business Travel Centre, led by Gisella Molla, generates 90% of its revenue from business travel and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions), and the remaining 10% from leisure trips for employees of its corporate clients.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Gisella explained how their processes have evolved.\u00a0<\/span>Previously, they made payments using various corporate cards<\/span><\/b>\u00a0but faced fraud issues and tedious procedures.\u00a0<\/span>After several incidents, they decided to try\u00a0Outpayce\u2019s\u00a0B2B Wallet, and the change was significant<\/span><\/b>. Today, most of their payments to hotels and airlines are managed through this solution, which provides automation, security, and profitability thanks to cashback.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe team is delighted with\u00a0Outpayce\u2019s\u00a0B2B Wallet<\/a>. We pay hotels and airlines more securely and efficiently,\u201d said Gisella.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The hotel perspective: volume and costs<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Xavier Croix, from Grupo Pi\u00f1ero, explained the complexity of managing payments and collections in a group that includes several hotel brands, such as Bah\u00eda Principe Hotels & Resorts, and the tour operator\u00a0Soltour.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Xavier described the group\u2019s two scenarios:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  • In the\u00a0<\/span>hotel\u00a0segment<\/span><\/b>, which handles large volumes,<\/span>\u00a0virtual cards and transfers<\/span><\/b>\u00a0are used for collections.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  • In the\u00a0<\/span>tour operation<\/span><\/b>,\u00a0<\/span>corporate cards and transfers<\/span><\/b>\u00a0dominate\u00a0payments.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    The\u00a0<\/span>main friction point in the hotel segment is the commissions on virtual cards<\/span><\/b>, which reduce already tight margins.\u00a0However,\u00a0<\/span>as a tour operator, these cards\u00a0are attractive because of the rebate<\/span><\/b>\u00a0(refund of part of the commission) they provide, helping recover some of what is lost on the hotel side. This creates a constant dilemma.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    \u201cIn hotels, when we collect with a virtual card, it hurts. The commission reduces margins that are already tight,\u201d Xavier commented.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    How\u00a0to\u00a0bridge the gap? A shared vision<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

    Xavier noted: \u201c<\/span>The goal should be to offer a service where rebate is not the only argument for working with one client or another<\/span><\/b>, but where the service itself is good. And here we need technology and everyone\u2019s support.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n