French startup Genial has successfully secured €1.8 million ($1.9 million) in funding to accelerate the development of AI-powered agents tailored for the tourism and hospitality industries.

This marks a significant step forward in AI-driven automation, reinforcing the growing role of artificial intelligence in travel, customer service, and digital transformation.

The funding round was led by Huttopia and Crédit Agricole, including contributions from Crédit Agricole Aquitaine Expansion and Crédit Agricole La Réunion – Mayotte, according to EU-Startups.

AI-Powered Agents for Tourism & SMBs

Genial specializes in custom AI solutions for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs), with nearly 50% of its clients coming from the tourism sector. The company provides:

AI training & implementation – Educating businesses on AI capabilities and integration.
Custom AI solutions – Tailored for sales, marketing, and customer engagement.
AI Agents-as-a-Service (AaaS) – Managing AI-powered chatbots and automation tools.
AI-driven search engines – Enhancing online discovery and customer interactions.

With its latest funding, Genial plans to expand its AI capabilities, develop more advanced AI agents, strengthen its global presence, and double its workforce from 20 employees.

AI Reshaping the Travel & Hospitality Sectors

The rise of generative AI is revolutionizing travel and hospitality. A PYMNTS Intelligence Report titled “At Your Service: Generative AI Arrives in Travel and Hospitality” highlights that:

• 52% of hospitality businesses foresee AI playing a role in customer interactions.
• 44% believe AI will enhance guest engagement through automation and personalization.

Booking Holdings CEO Glenn Fogel has also emphasized AI’s potential in the travel industry, stating that AI will redefine the traveler experience by enabling:

Personalized travel planning
Seamless, frictionless journeys
Connected, AI-powered experiences

“GenAI is pushing the pace of technological innovation,” Fogel said during Booking Holdings’ Q4 earnings call on Feb. 20, 2024.

Government Support for AI & Travel Tech Innovation

The European Union and French government agencies, including Bpifrance (Banque Publique d’Investissement), have actively supported AI innovation and digital transformation in the tourism industry. Under the EU’s Digital Strategy and Horizon Europe funding program, AI-driven startups like Genial receive incentives to enhance automation, customer service, and digital tourism experiences.

Additionally, France’s Ministry for Digital Transition and Telecommunications has emphasized AI’s role in reshaping tourism by promoting smart travel solutions, boosting economic growth, and enhancing customer experiences in the sector.

The Future of AI in Travel & Hospitality

The hospitality and travel sectors are rapidly embracing AI solutions. In July 2024, the travel industry platform Lighthouse launched AI-powered Channel Manager, an automated market analysis tool that optimizes pricing, demand forecasting, and distribution strategies.

With Genial’s new AI innovations and funding boost, the company is set to accelerate automation in tourism, making travel planning, customer support, and business operations smarter and more efficient than ever.

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