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By Manu Vardhan Kannan
Published on March 4, 2025
For years, online travel agencies (OTAs) have dominated the hotel booking industry, controlling pricing, customer data, and charging commissions as high as 40%. However, hotels are now reducing their reliance on OTAs and embracing direct distribution channels to regain control and build stronger guest relationships.
With the rise of new technology, evolving consumer behavior, and regulatory shifts, the hospitality industry is set to redefine its distribution model. The future of hotel bookings lies in a balanced, guest-centric approach that prioritizes direct bookings, personalization, and innovation.
Key Industry Shifts
Healthier Channel Mix
Rising OTA commissions have made direct bookings a priority.
By 2030, direct digital bookings are expected to surpass OTAs, generating over $400 billion in revenue.
Personalization & Differentiation
Travelers are seeking more customized experiences, shifting focus from generic stays to experiential travel.
AI and data analytics are enabling hyper-personalized guest journeys and targeted marketing.
Loyalty programs are evolving beyond traditional point systems to offer personalized rewards based on guest preferences.
Customer-First Approach
OTAs often prioritize hotels that pay higher commissions, which limits true consumer choice.
Regulatory measures like the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) are pushing for fairer distribution ecosystems by promoting transparency and competition.
End of Rate Parity Clauses
Legal rulings, including the EU Court of Justice decision, now allow hotels to set their own rates.
Hotels must invest in direct booking strategies using advanced pricing models and competitive technology.
Rise of Mobile Bookings
Over 50% of hotel bookings now come from mobile devices, making mobile-first design a necessity.
Previously, only OTAs and major hotel chains leveraged mobile apps, but new disruptive platforms are emerging to bridge this gap.
AI’s Role in Hotel Distribution
AI-powered tools such as chatbots, price optimization software, and personalized marketing solutions are driving direct bookings.
AI-driven platforms like D3X.ai and Allora.ai are already transforming the industry with intelligent booking systems and automated guest engagement.
The Future of Hotel Distribution
With hotels regaining control over pricing, data, and guest relationships, the industry is moving toward a more transparent, guest-friendly ecosystem. Direct booking strategies, AI-driven personalization, and mobile-first innovations will define the future of hotel distribution, ensuring a more sustainable and competitive marketplace.
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Published on August 26, 2026
FitsAir and Red Dot Representations recently brought the travel trade closer to Sri Lanka through an exclusive webinar focused on the airline’s new direct connectivity between Ahmedabad and Colombo.
Held on 21st August 2026, the webinar introduced travel partners to the new Ahmedabad–Colombo route and highlighted how the direct connection can make Sri Lanka easier to access for travellers from Gujarat, without the need for layovers.
The session also explored Sri Lanka’s wider tourism offerings and its appeal across different traveller segments, including families, honeymooners and MICE groups. The destination’s beaches, cultural attractions, wildlife, hospitality and local experiences were among the key highlights.
The webinar went beyond the traditional beach holiday experience, showcasing the different ways Indian travellers can explore Sri Lanka. From spending time along its tropical coastline and discovering its cultural heritage to experiencing its wildlife, local cuisine and hospitality, the session presented the island as a destination with varied experiences.
FitsAir currently operates the Ahmedabad–Colombo service three times a week, giving travellers from Gujarat a more convenient direct option for reaching Sri Lanka. The improved connectivity is expected to support leisure travel, experiential holidays, MICE and destination celebrations, while strengthening Sri Lanka’s position as an accessible short-haul international destination for the Gujarat market.
By Hariharan U
The International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM) has launched its first Egg Bank in India in Bengaluru, introducing a sustained student-led initiative aimed at providing nutritional support to underprivileged and vulnerable communities.
As part of the launch, IIHM's students, known as Food Soldiers, distributed more than 700 eggs to visually impaired children at Sri Rakum School for the Blind. The initiative has been undertaken in association with the Valmiki Foundation and is designed to move beyond one-time food donations by creating an ongoing nutrition programme.
The IIHM Egg Bank will initially support identified beneficiary institutions in Bengaluru, with plans to progressively extend the programme to old-age homes, orphanages and other organisations serving underprivileged communities. The initiative will subsequently be expanded across IIHM campuses in India, with individual campuses identifying beneficiaries in their respective communities.
Speaking on the initiative, Dr. Suborno Bose, Founder & Chairman, IIHM, said, "As a leading hospitality education institution, our responsibility goes beyond creating successful professionals. Hospitality is fundamentally about caring for people. Through the IIHM Egg Bank, our Food Soldiers will help address nutritional deficiencies through meaningful action. We want our students to see CSR not as a one-time activity, but as a sustained responsibility towards the underprivileged."
Ms. Sanchari Chowdhury, Director, IIHM Bengaluru & Head-South Operations, said the initiative encourages students to contribute beyond the classroom and become active participants in community service. She described “One Child, One Egg, One Smile” as a reflection of IIHM's belief in sustained and empathetic community engagement.
The programme has been designed around regular distribution rather than a single donation drive. Since eggs are perishable, IIHM's Food Soldiers will undertake distributions twice every month, providing the required quantity for each fortnight. This approach is intended to ensure continuity while giving students an opportunity to engage directly with the communities they support.
The initiative also aligns with IIHM's broader commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 2 – Zero Hunger. Through its Food Soldiers programme, the institute has previously engaged students in activities focused on providing food and essential support to communities in need.
Dr. Valmiki Hari Kishan, Founder of the Egg Bank Project and Co-Founder & Project Director, Valmiki Foundation, said the Bengaluru initiative marks the 177th Egg Bank overall and the first under IIHM. He noted that the programme's expansion across IIHM campuses could help extend nutritional support to vulnerable communities in multiple cities.
The launch was attended by Mr. P. K. Mohan Kumar, Independent Director, Prestige Hospitality Ventures Limited, as Chief Guest. Speaking at the event, he highlighted the role of initiatives such as the Egg Bank in extending the spirit of hospitality into wider community service.
By combining the Valmiki Foundation's experience with IIHM's institutional network and student participation, the initiative aims to create a sustained model for nutritional support. Beginning with visually impaired children at Sri Rakum School for the Blind, the programme is expected to reach more underserved communities across Bengaluru and, subsequently, other cities through IIHM's campus network.
Published on August 25, 2026
Eros Hotel New Delhi is reinforcing its commitment to responsible water management during World Water Week 2026 by highlighting a range of initiatives focused on reducing water consumption, promoting mindful usage and recycling wastewater across its operations.
Organised annually by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), World Water Week brings global attention to water-related challenges and the importance of responsible water management. The 2026 edition is being held from 23 to 27 August.
At Eros Hotel New Delhi, water conservation has been integrated across guest areas, kitchens, back-of-house operations and public facilities through a combination of water-efficient infrastructure and awareness initiatives.
The hotel has installed water-saving aerators across taps in guest room washrooms, kitchens and back-of-house areas to regulate water flow and improve consumption efficiency. Public washrooms feature sensor-operated taps, helping reduce unnecessary water usage, while guest rooms are equipped with dual-flush WC cisterns that allow guests to use water according to requirements.
The hotel's sustainability approach also focuses on creating greater awareness among guests and employees. Water conservation tent cards placed in guest rooms encourage visitors to adopt mindful water-use practices during their stay. Awareness posters across kitchens and back-of-house areas further reinforce responsible water consumption among employees and operational teams.
A key element of Eros Hotel New Delhi's water management strategy is the 100% recycling of wastewater. Treated recycled water is utilised for horticulture and cooling towers, reducing the hotel's dependence on fresh water for selected operational requirements while ensuring wastewater is put to productive use.
By combining water-efficient fixtures, wastewater recycling and awareness programmes, Eros Hotel New Delhi continues to integrate resource-conscious practices into its daily operations.
The initiatives reflect the hotel's broader approach to making water conservation a shared responsibility among guests, employees and operational teams while strengthening its ongoing sustainability efforts.
Eros Hotel New Delhi is a luxury hotel located in the heart of the city, offering accommodation, dining and hospitality facilities for leisure and business travellers.
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