HIS expands via AI travel avatars and US acquisition

Travel agency HIS is expanding its technological and operational capabilities through two major initiatives. First, in collaboration with ZEALS, HIS has launched an AI avatar service for travel consultations. This service uses digital humans with realistic facial expressions and voices to provide 24-hour concierge services. By integrating the practical expertise of 275 HIS employees with primary data from the Korea Tourism Organization, the AI aims to offer more personalized and deep travel suggestions than standard generative AI.

In a separate strategic move to strengthen its North American presence, HIS has decided to acquire American Ring Travel, Inc. (ART), a California-based inbound tour operator, through its subsidiary Jonview Inc. The acquisition, valued at approximately 1.675 million USD, is expected to be finalized in mid-September 2026. This move is intended to bolster HIS's B2B travel arrangements in the US and Canada, including accommodations, national park tours, and cruises, while creating synergies between HIS's global network and ART's existing customer base.