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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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By Hariharan U
Published on June 11, 2026
SKINN – House of Titan, the premium fragrance portfolio from Titan Company Limited, has entered into a strategic collaboration with Vivanta, the upscale lifestyle hospitality brand of Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), to introduce a fragrance-led dimension to the guest experience.
The partnership aims to transform the arrival experience for guests through curated fragrance vials that will be offered during check-in across Vivanta properties in India. Designed as travel-friendly collectibles, the fragrance vials will feature tailored options for men and women, adding a personalised sensory touch to the hospitality journey.
The initiative reflects a growing trend in hospitality where brands are focusing on immersive and multi-sensory experiences to strengthen guest engagement. Through this collaboration, SKINN extends its presence beyond traditional personal fragrance products and into lifestyle-driven hospitality experiences.
Speaking about the partnership, Manish Gupta, CEO – Fragrance and Fashion Accessories, Titan Company Limited, said that fragrance serves as a powerful storytelling medium capable of creating emotions and lasting memories. He noted that the collaboration with Vivanta allows the brand to integrate fragrance into a meaningful guest touchpoint and transform a routine arrival into a memorable sensory experience.
For Vivanta, the initiative aligns with its continued focus on creating differentiated experiences for guests. The hospitality brand believes thoughtful collaborations can help redefine everyday moments and make hotel stays more engaging and memorable.
Taljinder Singh, Senior Vice President, IHCL, said the partnership introduces a carefully crafted sensory element into the guest journey. He added that such collaborations enable the brand to continuously enhance guest experiences while staying true to Vivanta’s contemporary identity.
The fragrance vials will be made available across Vivanta hotels nationwide, reinforcing both brands’ shared emphasis on innovation, design, and customer-centric experiences. The collaboration also highlights the increasing convergence of hospitality, lifestyle, and sensory branding as companies seek new ways to connect with consumers.
As hospitality continues to evolve beyond accommodation and service, initiatives such as this demonstrate how brands are leveraging experiential elements to create stronger emotional connections with guests and leave a lasting impression long after their stay.
Royal Orchid Hotels Ltd. (ROHL), through its subsidiary Regenta Hotels Private Limited, has announced the launch of Z by Regenta City Centre Ahmedabad, further strengthening its presence in Gujarat. The opening marks another step in the group's expansion plans and is aimed at serving the growing demand from both business and leisure travellers visiting Ahmedabad.
Part of Royal Orchid's lifestyle brand portfolio, Z by Regenta is designed for Gen Z and millennial travellers, offering contemporary design, digital-first conveniences, functional comfort, and affordable stays, backed by the group's hospitality standards.
The hotel is strategically located in the Vastrapur area at Sunrise Park, between Himalaya Mall and Vastrapur Lake. Its location provides convenient access to major business hubs, shopping destinations, and popular attractions across Ahmedabad. The property is situated approximately 15 km from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, 10 km from Ahmedabad Railway Station, and 7 km from the State Transport Bus Stand.
Guests can explore nearby attractions including Sabarmati Ashram, Kankaria Lake, Riverfront, Akshardham Temple, Ahmedabad One Mall, and Himalaya Mall.
The property features 43 accommodations, including 42 deluxe rooms measuring 180 square feet and one suite spanning 250 square feet. Rooms are equipped with modern amenities such as high-speed Wi-Fi, ergonomic workstations, tea and coffee makers, LED televisions, minibars, electronic safes, and the brand's signature Z Hug Pillows.
Dining at the hotel is led by Neighbourhood, an all-day dining restaurant operating from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM. The restaurant serves an extensive vegetarian menu featuring soups, salads, sandwiches, pizzas, comfort foods, Indian dishes, Oriental cuisine, bowls, and a variety of beverages. Guests can also access a lobby vending machine offering premium snacks and beverages throughout the day.
For meetings and events, the hotel offers two flexible venues. Conference Hall 1 spans 2,500 square feet and can accommodate up to 200 guests in theatre style and 150 guests in classroom style. Conference Hall 2 covers 1,085 square feet and can host up to 100 guests in theatre style and 65 guests in classroom style.
Commenting on the launch, Chander K. Baljee, chairman & managing director, Royal Orchid Hotels Ltd, said, “The introduction of Z by Regenta City Centre Ahmedabad marks another important step in our Vision 2030 growth strategy. Ahmedabad's unique blend of cultural heritage, entrepreneurial spirit, and rapidly growing millennial traveler base makes it an ideal destination for our Z by Regenta brand. We are delighted to partner with PrimeStay Hospitality on this project and are confident that the hotel will offer guests a fresh, vibrant, and contemporary hospitality experience while maintaining the trusted service standards associated with Royal Orchid Hotels.”
In a statement the ownership group of PrimeStay Hospitality said, “We are delighted to partner with Royal Orchid Hotels to introduce Z by Regenta City Centre Ahmedabad. PrimeStay Hospitality is the first hospitality venture founded by four partners, including three promoters of Wireless Teleinfra Private Limited and a seasoned hotelier with over 15 years of industry experience. Wireless Teleinfra, headquartered in Ahmedabad, is a leading telecom infrastructure and network services company serving major telecom operators and global network vendors across India. Combining strong business expertise with hospitality excellence, our vision is to develop and operate quality business hotels across key commercial destinations in the country. This property has been thoughtfully designed to offer contemporary comfort, convenience, and accessibility, making it an ideal choice for business travelers, families, and leisure guests exploring Ahmedabad and Gujarat. The launch of this hotel marks the beginning of our journey towards building a strong and growing presence in India's hospitality sector.”
ibis India, part of the Accor brand, has launched a nationwide beach clean-up initiative across Mumbai, Goa, Chennai, and Kochi as part of its ongoing commitment to sustainability and responsible hospitality. The campaign brought together hotel teams, local NGOs, civic authorities, and community volunteers to support cleaner coastlines and encourage greater environmental awareness.
Through coordinated clean-up drives, participants collected plastic waste, litter, and other pollutants from beaches and shoreline areas. The initiative aimed not only to improve the condition of these coastal spaces but also to promote responsible waste disposal practices and marine conservation among local communities.
The campaign comes at a time when plastic pollution continues to pose a growing challenge to India's beaches, rivers, and marine ecosystems. With increasing pressure on urban waste management systems and coastal destinations, especially in popular tourism hubs, community-driven environmental action has become more important than ever.
By organising the clean-up drive across multiple coastal cities, ibis India reinforced its broader sustainability vision of supporting environmental awareness and encouraging collective action for conservation. The initiative also highlighted the importance of preserving shoreline ecosystems that play a key role in supporting local communities, livelihoods, tourism, and biodiversity.
“India’s vast coastline is not only an important ecological asset but also supports millions of livelihoods, communities, and tourism destinations across the country. With a presence across several coastal cities, ibis recognizes the importance of preserving these environments and promoting responsible practices that contribute to their long-term sustainability. Through the beach clean-up drive, the brand brought together employees, local partners, and community members to undertake meaningful action on the ground while fostering greater awareness around responsible waste management and marine conservation. The initiative reflects ibis’ belief that collective action can play a vital role in protecting coastlines and advancing more sustainable destinations for future generations,” said Vineet Mishra, Vice President - Premium, Midscale & Economy Hotels, India & South Asia.
In addition to the clean-up activities, participating ibis hotels conducted community engagement and volunteer-led initiatives to encourage greater public participation in maintaining and protecting waterfront areas. With several properties located near coastal and waterfront destinations, ibis continues to support sustainability-focused programmes that contribute to responsible tourism and environmentally conscious travel experiences across India.
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