Access Group Expands with Acquisition of SHR Group

Access Group Expands with Acquisition of SHR Group

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on June 13, 2024

The Access Group, a leading business management software provider valued at over $1.3 billion, is expanding its footprint in the North American hotel tech market with the acquisition of SHR Group. This move integrates SHR’s advanced capabilities into Access's AI-powered platform, further enhancing their end-to-end solutions for the hospitality industry.

SHR Group, based in Houston, Texas, specializes in hotel and casino technology. This acquisition is set to complement Access’s previous acquisition of Guestline, a Property Management Software (PMS) provider with a strong presence in DACH and Europe. By merging SHR’s 2,000 hotel customers with Guestline's 3,000 properties, the combined client base will experience improved efficiency and profitability through a complete digital guest journey.

The integration of SHR solidifies Access Hospitality as one of the few comprehensive software providers in the global hotel industry. SHR’s offerings include a dynamic Central Reservation System (CRS), Internet Booking Engine (IBE), Customer Relationship Manager (CRM), Revenue Management System (RMS), and digital marketing and loyalty program tools. Leveraging AI, SHR customizes content on direct booking sites to increase relevance and maximize revenues through conversion, upselling, and cross-selling.

This strategic acquisition will enable Access to further penetrate the US market and cater to larger hotel groups with more complex distribution needs than smaller boutique and independent operators. Access employs a modular approach, allowing hoteliers to customize their tech stack while ensuring seamless integration of key components.

Jonah Paransky, appointed as Access President of the Americas earlier this year, said “This deal has taken us a step closer to achieving our goal of being the global go-to technology partner for hotels, helping them deliver exceptional guest experiences and increase their profitability. SHR’s pioneering use of technology and laser focus on customer experience make it a natural fit for Access. This acquisition is a key milestone in our drive to grow our market share in the US and tap into the massive growth opportunity the market presents.”

The Access Group, with more than 7,000 employees worldwide, provides software solutions across multiple sectors, including hospitality. Their hospitality division currently supports over 20,000 hotels, multi-site pubs and bars, restaurants, food-to-go, and leisure operators. This division aims to enhance guest experiences and improve venue profitability through fully integrated software solutions.

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Champa Magesh, MD of Access Hospitality, commented “We’ve always worked to provide world-class products and unrivaled technological capabilities and SHR embodies that ambition. SHR is undoubtedly the world’s leading automated hotel technology platform and a significant addition to our hospitality offering. In this competitive and increasingly complex industry, leveraging AI’s immense potential will give hoteliers a competitive edge – enabling them to revolutionize guest experiences, drive operational efficiencies, and increase revenue. It further bolsters our accommodation offer following the acquisition of Guestline last year – a leading hotel distribution and operations platform provider.”

Rod Jimenez, CEO of SHR, echoed this sentiment, saying “Access is already a leader in providing software and services to UK and European hotels. Its focus on offering solutions that support customers with their entire operations enable hoteliers to deliver excellent guest experiences cost-effectively, profitably and sustainably. By joining the Access Hospitality family, SHR’s customers gain access to a complete suite of products and services. The ability to draw on the expertise of Access’ extensive network of partners will not only help our customers; it will provide us with the ability to accelerate capabilities and innovation across our products and customer support services.”

About SHR

SHR Group, established in 2004 and headquartered in Houston, Texas, with offices in Europe and Asia-Pacific, is a leading global specialist in technology and services for the hotel sector. Dedicated to keeping its clients ahead in a fast-paced and competitive market, SHR empowers hotels and resorts to enhance revenue and customer lifetime value throughout the guest journey. This is achieved by integrating the potential of AI with a dynamic product suite of automated and integrated solutions. Additionally, SHR Hotel Services focuses on providing the hospitality industry with a competitive edge through exceptional digital services and consultancy. For more information about SHR, visit www.shrgroup.com.

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About The Access Group

The Access Group, headquartered in the UK, is a leading provider of business management software for small and mid-sized organizations in the UK, Ireland, USA, and Asia Pacific. It serves over 100,000 customers across commercial and non-profit sectors, enhancing their productivity and efficiency. The company's innovative cloud solutions revolutionize business software usage, enabling employees to focus on what matters most. Founded in 1991, The Access Group employs approximately 6,800 people. For more information, visit www.theaccessgroup.com 


Air India Hits One Million Inflight WiFi Users Across Connected Fleet

Air India Hits One Million Inflight WiFi Users Across Connected Fleet

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 19, 2026

Air India has recorded more than one million inflight WiFi users over the past 12 months, reflecting the growing demand for onboard internet services among travellers.

According to the airline, over one million passengers connected to its inflight WiFi service between June 2025 and June 2026 across its WiFi-enabled fleet. The service is currently available on more than 55 daily flights operated by 28 connected aircraft.

The airline said passenger adoption has increased significantly during the year, with WiFi usage rising from 30 per cent in June 2025 to 55 per cent in June 2026.

Usage data shows that inflight connectivity is being driven largely by entertainment and social media. Around 89 per cent of connected passengers used the service to stream content or access social media platforms, while the remaining 11 per cent used it for web browsing, emails and messaging applications.

Over the 12-month period, passengers consumed nearly 500 terabytes of data through the airline's onboard network. Streaming services accounted for 86 per cent of total data usage, while web browsing made up the remaining 14 per cent.

Air India's inflight WiFi service is currently available on international routes served by its connected fleet, including flights to London, New York, Newark, Frankfurt, Melbourne, Hong Kong, Singapore, Bali, Manila and Mauritius.

The airline said it plans to gradually expand onboard connectivity as more aircraft are equipped with WiFi, extending the service to additional routes in the future.

Introduced as part of Air India's broader efforts to enhance passenger experience and digital services, the inflight WiFi platform has witnessed steady growth over the past year. The airline noted that demand has been particularly strong on long-haul international flights, where passengers increasingly expect uninterrupted internet access throughout their journey.

While Air India did not disclose the number of individual devices connected or the average data consumed per passenger, it said the service has maintained consistent growth since its rollout.


TCS Named Strategic Technology Partner for New Terminal One at JFK Airport

TCS Named Strategic Technology Partner for New Terminal One at JFK Airport

By Hariharan U

Published on July 16, 2026

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has been appointed as the strategic technology and innovation partner for The New Terminal One at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), supporting the development of a next-generation digital ecosystem designed to transform the airport experience for passengers, airlines, and operations teams.

As part of the partnership, TCS will build the digital foundation for the terminal by deploying advanced technologies across passenger processing, artificial intelligence-driven IT operations, infrastructure management, and cybersecurity. The collaboration aims to create a seamless, connected, and efficient airport environment powered by real-time data and intelligent automation.

The New Terminal One at JFK is part of The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s $19 billion transformation programme for JFK Airport, one of the largest airport redevelopment initiatives in the United States. The project is envisioned as a world-class aviation hub focused on enhancing passenger experience through modern infrastructure and innovative technology.

Through the partnership, TCS will leverage its digital solutions, including Cognix and ignio platforms, to enable end-to-end visibility across critical airport operations such as passenger processing, baggage management, terminal security, and IT infrastructure.

The deployment of AI-powered systems will help improve operational efficiency, enhance predictive capabilities, and support faster decision-making across multiple airport functions. The technology foundation is expected to enable a more reliable and personalised travel experience for passengers while helping airport teams manage complex operations more effectively.

Commenting on the partnership, Jennifer Daniel Aument, CEO, The New Terminal One at JFK, said that TCS will play an important role in helping the terminal achieve its vision of becoming one of the world’s leading airport experiences, delivering enhanced services for partner airlines and travellers.

Amit Bajaj, President, North America, TCS, highlighted the role of artificial intelligence in shaping the future of aviation experiences. He noted that AI will support a seamless and dependable passenger journey while helping transform The New Terminal One into a technology-led experiential destination.

With airports worldwide increasingly adopting digital transformation strategies, the partnership reflects the growing role of technology in improving passenger journeys, operational resilience, and security. From automated processes and predictive analytics to intelligent infrastructure management, digital platforms are becoming central to the future of global aviation.

The collaboration between TCS and The New Terminal One at JFK represents a significant step towards creating a smart airport ecosystem where technology, innovation, and hospitality converge to deliver a more efficient and engaging travel experience


Radisson Hotel Group Launches AI-Powered Real-Time Hotel Price Matching Technology

Radisson Hotel Group Launches AI-Powered Real-Time Hotel Price Matching Technology

By Hariharan U

Published on July 5, 2026

Radisson Hotel Group has launched a new AI-powered real-time price matching technology, aimed at transforming the way guests book directly through hotel websites and strengthening transparency in hotel pricing.

The system automatically identifies lower publicly available rates for Radisson properties listed on third-party platforms such as OTAs and search engines, and instantly matches those prices on RadissonHotels.com. This removes the need for manual claims, screenshots, or approval processes that are typically required under traditional best rate guarantee programs.

Unlike conventional models, the new system operates in real time. When a lower rate is detected on platforms including Booking.com, Expedia, Agoda, Trip.com, and others, the AI engine verifies the pricing difference and automatically applies the matched rate, redirecting users directly to the hotel’s booking platform.

According to Gianni Di Fede, Global Chief Commercial Officer at Radisson Hotel Group, modern travellers expect speed, simplicity, and confidence when booking. He noted that the new feature ensures guests always receive the best available price when booking directly with Radisson.

For guests, the system eliminates uncertainty around pricing and simplifies the booking journey. For hotel teams, it reduces administrative workload associated with manual price match requests and allows staff to focus more on guest service and operational efficiency. The tool also provides better visibility into pricing trends and booking behaviour.

The AI-powered price matching feature is now live across all Radisson Hotel Group properties worldwide, marking a significant step in the company’s digital transformation strategy.

The initiative forms part of Radisson’s broader push toward automation and AI-driven solutions aimed at improving direct bookings, enhancing transparency, and creating a more seamless digital experience for travellers. By replacing traditional reactive pricing guarantees with a fully automated system, Radisson is positioning itself at the forefront of hospitality technology innovation.

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