Ola Partners with Maha Kumbh 2025 for Seamless Digital and Green Mobility Experience

Ola Partners with Maha Kumbh 2025 for Seamless Digital and Green Mobility Experience

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on January 22, 2025

Ola has announced an exciting partnership with Maha Kumbh 2025 to deliver a seamless digital and green mobility experience for millions of devotees attending the world’s largest spiritual gathering. Leveraging its ecosystem, including कृत्रिम (Krutrim) - India’s first AI unicorn, Ola Electric, and Ola Consumer, the partnership integrates AI, electric mobility, and enhanced travel services to provide a connected and sustainable experience during the Maha Kumbh Mela.

Bhavish Aggarwal, Founder of Ola, shared, “Maha Kumbh 2025 reflects India’s rich traditions and the nation’s aspirations for a tech-driven future. Our partnership exemplifies how AI, green mobility, and digital-first solutions can manage large gatherings efficiently and sustainably. We are committed to building India as a global leader in technologies of the future.”

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Earlier this month, कृत्रिम (Krutrim) launched the Kumbh Sah'AI'yak app, the first-ever AI-powered chatbot for the Maha Kumbh Mela. This AI-driven platform, developed by the Prayagraj Mela Authority in collaboration with the Uttar Pradesh government, offers personalized navigation, cultural insights, and key information about the Mela. The app supports multiple languages, including Hindi, English, Tamil, Telugu, and more, offering a user-friendly interface with voice commands and media-enriched content to enhance the visitor experience.

Ola Electric has further boosted the mobility experience by deploying 1,000 electric scooters at the Mela grounds. These e-scooters provide an eco-friendly and cost-effective solution for pilgrims, facilitating sustainable travel across the expansive Mela area.

Additionally, Ola Consumer has launched affordable transit services, including cabs, at airports, railway stations, and on-site rentals, making travel to and from the Mela seamless. Ola also operates EV shuttle services within the Mela grounds, ensuring convenient and accessible travel for attendees.

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The Kumbh Sah'AI'yak app is a significant milestone in Krutrim’s mission to boost AI capabilities in India. The app helps visitors navigate the Mela, learn about its history and rituals, find accommodation, and explore attractions around Prayagraj. The AI-powered chatbot provides real-time information and ensures the privacy and security of user data.

Maha Kumbh 2025, which will run until February 26, 2025, is being hosted in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. It is recognized as the world’s largest public gathering, attracting millions of ascetics, pilgrims, saints, and devotees from across the globe. This event celebrates India’s cultural and spiritual essence, offering a unique blend of faith, tradition, and innovation.


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.


Radisson Hotel Group Launches App-Only Rates Across Hotels in India

Radisson Hotel Group Launches App-Only Rates Across Hotels in India

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 4, 2026

Radisson Hotel Group (RHG) has introduced App-Only Rates across its portfolio of hotels in India, giving travellers access to exclusive savings when they book through the Radisson Hotels mobile application. The new initiative is designed to make direct bookings more rewarding while offering guests a smoother and more personalised booking experience.

With the launch of App-Only Rates, guests booking through the mobile app can enjoy up to 10% additional savings over existing public rates. The move is part of RHG's strategy to encourage direct bookings while enhancing the overall guest journey through digital innovation.

Members of Radisson Rewards can unlock even more benefits, including member-only discounts, personalised offers, and exclusive promotions. By combining App-Only Rates with membership benefits, eligible guests can enjoy savings of up to 23%, along with tailored offers and exclusive experiences.

The Radisson Hotels mobile app allows travellers to browse hotels, book stays, manage reservations, explore hotel facilities, and access member benefits from a single platform. Whether travelling for business, a family holiday, or a weekend getaway, guests can enjoy a convenient booking experience from reservation to check-out.

Commenting on the launch, Nikhil Sharma, MD & COO, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group, said, "At Radisson Hotel Group, we are constantly looking for ways to create greater value for our guests. The introduction of App-Only Rates in India reflects our aim to enhance the guest experience through digital innovation, rewarding loyalty, and offering exclusive benefits that make every stay even more rewarding. We remain focused on delivering a seamless and personalized experience for travelers at every touchpoint."

The introduction of App-Only Rates forms part of the group's broader digital strategy to strengthen customer engagement, increase direct bookings, and provide greater value through its own platforms. The offers are now available across participating Radisson Hotel Group properties in India through the Radisson Hotels mobile application.

Radisson Hotel Group currently has more than 200 hotels in operation and development across India, making it one of the country's largest international hotel operators. The group also maintains the largest presence among international hotel brands in Delhi NCR, while more than half of its portfolio is spread across tier-2 and tier-3 cities.

Its portfolio in India includes brands such as Radisson Collection, Radisson Blu, Radisson, Radisson RED, Park Inn by Radisson, Park Plaza, Radisson Individuals, and Radisson Individuals Retreats, catering to a wide range of business and leisure travellers.


District by Zomato Introduces Splitpay for Hassle-Free Group Dining

District by Zomato Introduces Splitpay for Hassle-Free Group Dining

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on June 13, 2026

District by Zomato has announced the launch of Splitpay, a new feature designed to make group dining payments simpler and more convenient. Available within the District app, the feature allows diners to instantly split restaurant bills and pay their exact share at the table, removing the need for post-meal transfers, reminders, and payment follow-ups.

The feature addresses a common challenge faced during group outings, where one person typically pays the entire bill and waits to be reimbursed by others later. With Splitpay, users can enter the total bill amount, choose the number of people in the group, and divide the bill equally or customise individual shares directly within the app. Each diner can then complete their payment in just a few taps.

District by Zomato says the feature is aimed at making dining experiences smoother by eliminating the need to calculate dues, share payment screenshots, or chase friends for settlements after a meal. Since all payments happen within the app, users do not need to exchange payment details with one another.

Adding to the benefit, every diner receives cashback on their individual share of the bill, ensuring that rewards are not limited to the person who makes the full payment.

Commenting on the launch, Rahul Ganjoo, CEO, District by Zomato, said, "A meal out belongs to the whole table, but it has always ended with the least social moment: one person paying and everyone else doing maths. It's something we noticed at restaurant tables, on social media, and in conversations with our users, so we built Splitpay to fix it. It's one more step in the same direction we've been moving all along: taking the effort out of every stage of going out, so the only thing people take home is the experience itself."

To support the launch, District has unveiled a campaign film featuring veteran actors Boman Irani and Anupam Kher. The film captures a familiar dining situation where friends compete to pay the bill at the end of a meal. What begins as a polite attempt to settle the bill quickly turns into a humorous struggle, eventually reaching a comic peak when Anupam Kher stuffs the bill into his mouth to prevent his friend from paying.

While the campaign highlights a well-known social habit through humour, it also showcases how Splitpay offers a practical alternative by allowing everyone at the table to pay their own share instantly and receive cashback in return.

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