December 2, 2025
Automating communication for Better Places

How GuestButler supports tour operators before, during and after the trip
GuestButler is an AI-powered assistant designed to handle the continuous flow of questions and logistics that travelers have, especially during tailor-made tours. It supports travel organizations by automatically answering guest questions in real-time via messaging apps like WhatsApp. This allows teams to scale service without scaling headcount.
How the AI works
GuestButler uses a large language model (LLM) to process and generate human-like responses based on context, destination data, and your internal travel documents. The assistant is:
- Trained on your specific destinations (routes, hotels, excursions)
- Available 24/7, even across time zones
- Context-aware: it remembers the conversation thread
- Multilingual, with native-quality translations
It integrates directly with your CRM or itinerary system to give personalized answers, without needing an agent to intervene.
Why it matters for tour operators
Tour operators like Better Places run high-involvement, personalized tours. That comes with a high volume of operational guest questions, especially during the trip itself:
🕐 “What time does the Easter celebration at Mitropoleos begin?”
🧱 “How do we get from our hotel to the bike tour departure?”
🚘 “Can our rental car be delivered later?”
In one example trip with Better Places, George (our AI assistant) handled over 58 unique interactions during a single tour. These included:
- Local transport questions
- Directions
- Cultural events
- Restaurant recommendations
- Real-time location sharing
- Tour logistics and rescheduling
- Emergency phone numbers
Without automation, each of these would have required a human operator—often outside office hours.
User Case: Better Places
About Better Places: Sustainable tour operator offering tailor-made trips with a focus on local experience and impact.
Challenge:
Their travelers explore off-the-beaten-track destinations and frequently ask questions while en route. The operations team was spending hours per traveler answering repetitive and logistical queries.
Solution:
Better Places deployed George, the GuestButler AI, to assist travelers in real-time. The AI provided detailed, personalized answers about:
- Tour logistics (e.g., start times, meeting points, transfer instructions)
- Cultural context (e.g., religious celebrations, local customs)
- Points of interest along the route
- Swimming spots, sunset times, restaurant suggestions
- Booking and ticket information
Results:
- 70+ guest interactions handled by AI per trip
- 80% of questions fully resolved without human input
- Travelers rated the experience as "clear, helpful and friendly"
- Significant time saved for their operations team
Key Functions
FeatureWhat it does Context-aware Chat Remembers itinerary details and recent questionsSmart RoutingEscalates to a human only when necessaryLinks & Maps IntegrationSends Google Maps and booking links with 1 clickDaily Pre-Scheduled UpdatesSends travelers daily check-in messages, tips or alertsAutomated FAQsHotel check-ins, tour start times, packing lists, emergency info, etc.
Real Examples (from Better Places)
Q: Where can we swim in Athens?
A: Here are five public pools and one beach, all with maps and opening hours.
Q: How do we get to the Lycabettus cable car? Is it open today?
A: Yes! Here's the location, hours, and a reminder to catch the sunset at 19:45.
Q: What are the top 3 things to do near the Acropolis?
A: Acropolis Museum, Ancient Agora, Temple of Zeus—with links to tickets.
Q: Can we move our rental car delivery time?
A: Yes—call this number, mention your reservation, and ask to reschedule.
Conclusion
For tour operators, GuestButler reduces stress for travelers and your team. It ensures fast, accurate, and empathetic replies around the clock. And because it scales with your operation, it's ideal for growth without growing your back office.

