Zoomcar Launches Unified App to Revolutionize Car Sharing Experience

Zoomcar Launches Unified App to Revolutionize Car Sharing Experience

By Nishang Narayan

Published on August 11, 2024

Zoomcar, a leading marketplace for self-drive car sharing, has unveiled a new unified app designed to enhance the car-sharing experience for both Guests and Hosts. This app consolidates the functionalities of Zoomcar’s previous dual-app system into a single platform, streamlining operations and introducing over 10 feature upgrades.

Key Features and Enhancements:

  • Unified App Experience: The new app merges the functionalities of the previous Guest and Host apps, allowing users to seamlessly switch between booking cars and managing listings. This integration caters to the significant overlap where over 40% of Guests are also car owners.

  • Enhanced Guest Features: Guests will enjoy a more efficient booking process with a catalog of top-rated cars and a new 'Guest Favourites' section highlighting frequently booked and highly rated vehicles. This feature aims to simplify the car selection process with reliable reviews.

  • Improved Host Controls: Hosts benefit from enhanced management tools, including the ability to oversee multiple car listings from a single tab, monitor real-time rankings, and set preferences for booking durations. New Hosts can also opt for GPS tracker and keyless entry device installations upon signing up.

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Hiroshi Nishijima, CEO of Zoomcar, remarked, "We've been listening closely to our Hosts and have meticulously designed the unified app to offer more control and encourage car sharing as a growing business in India. The launch aligns with the rising demand for the Independence Day long weekend.”

Vishal Ramrakhyani, Head of Engineering at Zoomcar, added, "Our team has focused on customer feedback to develop an app that integrates all necessary functionalities for Guests and Hosts. Features like 'Guest Favourites' and streamlined listing controls are designed to enhance user experience."

Zoomcar's commitment to improving its services is reflected in its fiscal year report ending March 2024, which shows an increase in average trip ratings to 4.66 and a 12% rise in net revenue, reaching $9.90 million.

To experience the new unified app, download Zoomcar from the App Store or Google Play Store.

About Zoomcar:

Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Bengaluru, India, Zoomcar is a leading car-sharing marketplace focused on providing affordable transportation solutions. Connecting Hosts with Guests, Zoomcar promotes sustainable and smart transportation across India.

Forward-Looking Statement:

This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding the launch and future performance of the unified app. These statements reflect current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties. The actual results may differ due to factors beyond our control. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements unless required by law.


MakeMyTrip Launches AI-Powered Natural Language Search for Hotels and Homestays

MakeMyTrip Launches AI-Powered Natural Language Search for Hotels and Homestays

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on October 19, 2025

MakeMyTrip, India’s leading online travel platform, has introduced Semantic Search, an AI-powered feature designed to simplify the discovery of hotels and homestays. The feature allows travellers to type queries in everyday language, such as “pet-friendly hotels in Manali with a swimming pool” or “heritage stays near Jaipur forts with parking,” eliminating the need to manually navigate through multiple filters.

Built on the same AI framework as MakeMyTrip’s GenAI-enabled assistant, Myra, the Semantic Search system interprets open-ended queries to provide relevant, context-driven results tailored to individual preferences. Users receive personalized recommendations enhanced by property visuals, curated user-generated content, and context-based rankings.

The system also includes AI smart suggestions, offering recommendations like “beachfront hotels in Goa” or “Ooty stays with mountain views,” complete with context tags such as “great for families” or “private pools available.” This ensures faster, simpler, and more intuitive discovery for travellers seeking the perfect stay.

“Our goal is to make travel planning as natural as conversation. With AI Search within the stay booking experience, we’re simplifying one of the most important parts of the traveller journey, finding the right stay. Instead of forcing users to think like a system, we’ve built a system that understands how people naturally express themselves,” said Ankit Khanna, Chief Product Officer, MakeMyTrip.

This development builds on MakeMyTrip’s broader AI innovation strategy. Earlier this year, the company launched the Beta version of its GenAI Trip Planning Assistant, Myra, which supports travellers across the journey, from discovery and booking to in-trip and post-travel assistance. Currently available in English and Hindi, Myra also plans to expand into additional Indian languages based on user feedback.

With Semantic Search, MakeMyTrip aims to deliver a more natural, personalised, and efficient experience for travellers, taking the frustration out of finding the ideal stay and setting a new benchmark for AI-driven travel planning in India.


The First Group Hospitality Partners with Inntelo AI to Elevate Guest Experiences with AI-Powered Innovation

The First Group Hospitality Partners with Inntelo AI to Elevate Guest Experiences with AI-Powered Innovation

By Hariharan U

Published on October 16, 2025

The First Group Hospitality has announced a strategic partnership with Inntelo AI, a next-generation guest experience and operations platform, to introduce AI-native technology across its expanding portfolio of hotels. The collaboration aims to redefine how guests interact, communicate, and experience hospitality through advanced artificial intelligence.

Following a successful implementation at TRYP by Wyndham Dubai, The First Group is now set to integrate Inntelo AI across all its properties including the much-anticipated Ciel Dubai Marina – Vignette Collection by IHG, which is soon to claim the title of the world’s tallest hotel.

Through this integration, guests can look forward to a seamless digital concierge experience. From ordering room service and making restaurant bookings to scheduling local excursions or requesting amenities, everything can be done effortlessly via phone, WhatsApp, or voice commands in over 40 languages. This platform merges convenience, personalisation, and innovation, giving guests more control over their stay.

The collaboration aligns with The First Group Hospitality’s broader vision of embedding AI-driven intelligence throughout its business operations. The company already uses AI tools for revenue forecasting, rate optimisation, restaurant reservations, team scheduling, and guest satisfaction monitoring. This partnership with Inntelo extends that innovation into real-time service delivery and operational insights, connecting guest needs directly to hotel teams.

The First Group has always been at the forefront of innovation, carefully evaluating and implementing the latest solutions; having worked with Inntelo AI over recent months, we are incredibly excited and ambitious about how this cutting-edge AI technology sets us apart in the hotel management field,” said Tom Stevens, Senior Vice President of Hotel Operations, The First Group Hospitality. “This partnership with Inntelo AI will ensure every guest interaction, from arrival to departure, is powered by intelligence, efficiency, and personalisation.”

Echoing this sentiment, Asif Alidina, Co-Founder and CEO of Inntelo AI, added, “We are delighted to partner with the team at The First Group Hospitality, who truly understand the value of being a first mover in this space using an AI-native platform. This project future-proofs their operations and positions them to rapidly leverage the power of agentic and conversational AI across their portfolio long before many of their competitors. Our platform doesn’t just enhance service; it transforms how hotels operate, think, and scale.”

The First Group Hospitality and Inntelo AI’s partnership represents more than just a technology upgrade — it signals a new phase for the hospitality sector where data-driven insights and personalisation work hand-in-hand to elevate the guest journey.


BWH Hotels Launches AutoClerk Atlas to Redefine Property Management

BWH Hotels Launches AutoClerk Atlas to Redefine Property Management

By Hariharan U

Published on October 11, 2025

BWH® Hotels, the global hospitality group behind WorldHotels™, Best Western® Hotels & Resorts, and SureStay® Hotels, has introduced AutoClerk® Atlas, a next-generation Property Management System (PMS) developed in partnership with HotelKey.

This marks a major milestone in BWH Hotels’ technology journey, aimed at transforming hotel operations, improving guest experiences, and driving efficiency across its worldwide network.

AutoClerk Atlas is a reimagined version of the long-standing AutoClerk system, combining BWH Hotels’ expertise with HotelKey’s modern cloud-based platform. The collaboration brings together scalability, reliability, and smart automation to create a PMS that’s simple, powerful, and ready for the future of hospitality.

AutoClerk Atlas marks a pivotal step forward in our journey to reimagine both the guest and hotel team experience. Through partnering with HotelKey, we're introducing a world-class Property Management System that's scalable, intuitive, and future-ready,” said Bill Ryan, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, BWH Hotels.

Built to address today’s operational challenges, AutoClerk Atlas delivers, One-day onboarding with built-in training modules for quick adoption, Automated payments and reconciliation to streamline daily tasks, Actionable guest insights that empower teams to offer personalized service, Deep integration with existing and third-party systems for seamless connectivity.

Aditya Thyagarajan, Co-Founder and President of HotelKey, said, “We are excited to bring AutoClerk Atlas powered by HotelKey to BWH Hotels, driving operational excellence and delivering a seamless, elevated guest experience.”

Fareed Ahmad, Co-Founder and CEO of HotelKey, added, “Our partnership with BWH Hotels reflects a shared commitment to innovation and long-term success. We’re focused on delivering a smooth transition and giving hotel teams the tools they need to thrive in an evolving industry.”

With AutoClerk Atlas, BWH Hotels continues to invest in technology that supports growth, enhances guest satisfaction, and simplifies operations for its vast network of nearly 4,300 hotels worldwide.

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