Stayflexi: Transforming the Indian Hospitality Landscape

Stayflexi: Transforming the Indian Hospitality Landscape

By Nishang Narayan

Published on July 12, 2024


Stayflexi, a Y Combinator-backed company, has emerged as a trailblazer in the hotel technology industry, rapidly gaining international acclaim. With a presence in over 2,400 properties worldwide, Stayflexi is revolutionizing hotel management with its all-in-one platform designed to optimize operations and boost revenue. This rapidly growing startup is now celebrating significant success in India, where it is substantially impacting the hospitality sector.

Industry Professionals

India’s hotel industry is on the cusp of a transformative era, driven by increasing domestic travel and a projected annual growth rate of 10 percent. However, this growth is hampered by outdated hotel technologies, even in prestigious 4-star and 5-star establishments. Stayflexi addresses this challenge head-on by modernizing the entire hotel technology stack, providing a comprehensive, efficient, and innovative solution.

Celebrating Success Across 2,400 Properties with 50,000 Rooms

Stayflexi’s AI-powered all-in-one hotel technology platform is widely adopted by ambitious hoteliers and state government tourism boards throughout India. This includes various segments such as resorts, hotels, luxury villas, boat houses, camping, and glamping sites. Notable clientele leveraging the Stayflexi platform include the Isha Foundation, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), and Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC). With over 50,000 rooms modernized across 2,400 properties, Stayflexi is making waves in the Indian hospitality industry.

The Future of Indian Hospitality

The Indian hospitality industry is poised for rapid growth in the next five years, driven by a surge in domestic travel. Modernizing hotel technologies is imperative to sustain and accelerate this growth. Stayflexi’s platform optimizes operational costs and generates additional revenue through its AI-powered price intelligence. This results in instant benefits, such as increased direct bookings from day one.

The All-in-One Solution: Stayflexi’s Product Hubs

Stayflexi’s platform is divided into four primary hubs, each designed to address specific needs within the hospitality industry:

  1. Operations Hub The Operations Hub includes a Property Management System (PMS), Point of Sale (POS), Expenses Manager, and Inventory Manager. These tools automate 70 percent of manual tasks, significantly reducing operational costs and enhancing efficiency.

  2. Sales Hub The Sales Hub comprises a Market Intelligence (MI), Channel Manager (CM), Booking Engine (BE), Revenue Manager (RM), and Direct Billing products. These tools are designed to boost hotel revenues by 35%, with some properties experiencing increases of over 50 percent.

  3. Guest Hub The Guest Hub offers products like Magic Link, QR Kiosk, Guest Reviews, and Guest Messaging. These tools streamline guest interactions, from check-ins to reviews, providing a seamless and enhanced guest experience.

  4. Payments Hub The Payments Hub includes Flex Collect, Flex Pay, Flex Settle, and Flex Protect products, which automate end-to-end hotel payments and reduce cancellations, ensuring smooth financial operations.

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Empowering Hoteliers with Cutting-Edge Technology

Stayflexi’s platform leverages AI and advanced analytics to empower hoteliers with data-driven insights and automation. This approach enhances operational efficiency and provides hoteliers with the tools needed to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market. By adopting Stayflexi’s technology, hotels can optimize their pricing strategies, manage inventory more effectively, and provide exceptional guest experiences.

A Bright Future Ahead

Mr. Venkatesh Sakamuri, CEO and Co-founder of Stayflexi says, “As India continues to capture a significant share of the global travel market, Stayflexi is well-positioned to play a crucial role in this growth.”

Mr. Preetam Mohan Shetty, CTO and Co-founder of Stayflexi says, “The company’s commitment to innovation and customer-centric solutions has already earned it a loyal client base and industry recognition.”

"Our hustling culture at Stayflexi empowers us to constantly push beyond boundaries, innovate relentlessly, and deliver exceptional solutions that transform the hospitality industry. We thrive on challenge and are driven by our commitment to excellence," said Krishna Sasank Talasila, CIO and Co-founder.

Stayflexi aims to expand its presence further across India, partnering with more properties and state tourism boards to drive modernization and growth. Stayflexi’s success in India is a testament to its innovative approach and commitment to transforming the hospitality industry. By modernizing hotel technologies and providing comprehensive solutions, Stayflexi is empowering hoteliers to achieve new heights of success. As the Indian hospitality industry continues to grow, Stayflexi’s cutting-edge platform will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in shaping its future. Hoteliers and hospitality professionals looking to stay ahead in this dynamic market should consider embracing Stayflexi’s technology to unlock new opportunities and drive sustainable growth.


On2Cook Revolutionizes Commercial Kitchens with AI-Integrated Cooking Device

On2Cook Revolutionizes Commercial Kitchens with AI-Integrated Cooking Device

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on September 2, 2024

On2Cook, the world's fastest cooking device, has made a significant impact in the B2B cooking sector in India. Launched just a few months ago, the innovative AI-driven cooking appliance has already been deployed in over 500 units across more than 35 F&B brands, including cloud kitchens, cafeterias, restaurants, and hospitality chains. The device, created by inventor Sanandan Sudhir, has quickly gained traction for its ability to transform traditional cooking methods.

Sudhir announced that the company has also received Letters of Intent for an additional 4,000 units, set to be installed in commercial kitchens worldwide. Among the early adopters of On2Cook are brands like Grabs Kitchen, Carasid Café Goa, Hocco Eatery, Venky Residency, and Salad Time.

"On2Cook is the future of cooking, and we are thrilled by its widespread acceptance in the B2B F&B space. Our patented technology offers numerous benefits for commercial kitchens, such as eliminating the need for gas-based cooking, reducing oil usage, and replacing pre-cooked meals with freshly prepared dishes. For instance, a mid-sized kitchen serving about 100 plates daily can save over Rs 16,000 monthly just on oil consumption. The device's advantages are evident across all cooking segments, including restaurants, cloud kitchens, bakeries, casual dining, and Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) chains," said Sanandan Sudhir.

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Sunil Shrivastav, owner of Carasid Café Goa, shared his positive experience with On2Cook, stating, "We’ve been using On2Cook for a few months, and it’s not just fast and efficient, but also incredibly consistent, especially for our fillings made in large batches. Consistency in color, quality, and texture is crucial in our business, and On2Cook delivers on all fronts without the need for monitoring. I’m so satisfied with its performance that I plan to add up to 100 units across our café chain."

On2Cook, patented in India, the US, the UK, and Russia, significantly reduces cooking time to one-third of traditional methods, cuts power bills by up to 40%, and lowers oil consumption by around 50%, all while delivering healthier and more nutritious meals. The device also minimizes the number of cooks needed in a commercial kitchen, improving the consistency and quality of food. With an integrated app and IoT capabilities, On2Cook automates order processing and cooking, featuring over 300 predefined recipes.

First showcased during the Grand Finale of Shark Tank India Season 1, On2Cook has captured the attention of industry leaders, including Anand Mahindra, even before its official launch. The device ensures that vegetables and meats cooked retain water-soluble nutrients, minerals, structure, texture, and color, preserving elements that are often lost in traditional cooking methods.


Hotel Group Selects Zaplox for Mobile Key PoC Integration

Hotel Group Selects Zaplox for Mobile Key PoC Integration

By Nishang Narayan

Published on September 1, 2024

Zaplox, a leading provider of digital guest solutions for the hospitality industry, has been selected to provide mobile key services for a proof of concept (PoC) with a prominent hotel group, whose name has not been disclosed. This collaboration marks a significant step in integrating Zaplox’s advanced mobile key technology with the hotel group’s own app.

This PoC is designed to validate Zaplox’s mobile key solutions, ensuring they meet the technical and guest satisfaction standards required by the hotel group. It also highlights the growing trend of digital self-service options in the hospitality sector, positioning Zaplox as a key player in this evolving space.

Tess Mattisson, President and CEO of Zaplox, commented, “Following the successful launch of mobile keys in Apple Wallet and Google Wallet, we are seeing increased interest in our solutions. This PoC reflects the market's demand and the maturity of the industry, showcasing our role as a trusted provider of digital solutions.”

The PoC serves as a critical evaluation phase, allowing the hotel group to experience the benefits of Zaplox’s technology firsthand. This approach has previously proven successful, such as with PENN Entertainment, where a PoC led to a full contract and the implementation of mobile keys.

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Mattisson added, “While demonstrating middleware services can be challenging, this PoC allows us to showcase our technology and expertise, laying the groundwork for a potential broader rollout. We are excited to support this hotel group in their digital transformation journey.”

Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Lund, Sweden, Zaplox offers a software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform designed to enhance the guest experience through self-service check-in and mobile key solutions. The company’s platform has become integral to the hospitality industry, assisting hotels, resorts, and casinos worldwide in providing a seamless digital experience for their guests.


Odyssey Tours and Travels Unveils India's First Comprehensive Platform for Global Luxury Train Journeys

Odyssey Tours and Travels Unveils India's First Comprehensive Platform for Global Luxury Train Journeys

By Nishang Narayan

Published on August 29, 2024

Odyssey Tours and Travels, a pioneer in luxury travel, has launched LuxuryTrains.in, India’s first comprehensive platform dedicated to luxury train experiences worldwide. This innovative website offers discerning travelers access to over 40 iconic luxury trains, covering more than 200 exceptional journeys across six continents, making it the ultimate gateway to immersive and opulent travel adventures.

A New Era in Luxury Travel:

With LuxuryTrains.in, Odyssey Tours and Travels has once again set a new standard in the luxury travel industry. Following the success of their cruise marketplace, CruiseBay, launched in 2008, LuxuryTrains.in represents a significant leap forward in catering to the needs of luxury travelers. The platform is a treasure trove of meticulously curated train journeys, featuring legendary trains like the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, known for its elegant glide through Europe’s picturesque landscapes, and India’s own Palace on Wheels, offering a royal journey through the country’s cultural gems.

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Travel enthusiasts can also embark on the luxurious Hiram Bingham to explore the sacred Inca ruins or join Rovos Rail's expeditions through Africa’s breathtaking vistas. Each journey listed on the platform comes with detailed itineraries, highlights, and comprehensive information about the accommodation and dining options available onboard.

Comprehensive Travel Planning:

LuxuryTrains.in goes beyond just booking a journey. The platform offers travelers an in-depth understanding of each luxury train, including its history, route, onboard amenities, and the schedules for the next two years. Additionally, Odyssey’s team of luxury travel consultants is available to handle every aspect of the traveler’s journey, from pre-travel arrangements to post-journey experiences, ensuring a seamless and memorable travel adventure.

Expertise in Tailored Luxury Holidays:

Nikhil Thakurdas, CEO of Odyssey Tours and Travels, highlighted the company's commitment to redefining luxury travel: "With the launch of LuxuryTrains by Odyssey, we aim to introduce luxury train travel as a unique and differentiated holiday experience. Our platform opens a whole new dimension of luxury travel where the journey is as exciting as the destinations. With details and offers on the world’s most iconic trains, luxury travelers are spoiled for choice to experience a new way to travel."

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About Odyssey Tours and Travels:

Founded in 1992, Odyssey Tours and Travels is a leading IATA-accredited travel company and a member of Uniglobe, the world’s largest travel franchise network. Known for planning customized holidays in India and abroad, Odyssey offers a wide range of services, including air ticketing, worldwide hotel reservations, inclusive tours, sightseeing activities, visa assistance, and travel insurance. With the launch of CruiseBay in 2008, Odyssey solidified its reputation as a pioneer in the luxury travel market, and with LuxuryTrains.in, it continues to lead the way in offering unique and immersive travel experiences.

Whether you’re drawn to the elegance of European luxury trains, the heritage charm of India’s royal railways, or the adventurous allure of South American expeditions, LuxuryTrains by Odyssey promises unparalleled journeys that blend luxury with immersive cultural experiences. Visit LuxuryTrains.in today to explore the world’s most exquisite train journeys and begin planning your next unforgettable adventure.

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