INTERVIEW : POWERING INDIA’S HOSPITALITY REVIVAL : HOW STAAH’S STRATEGIC ALLIANCES AND EVOLVING TECH ARE HELPING HOTELS ADAPT AND GROW UNVEILS RAJESH GHANSHANI, DIRECTOR PARTNERSHIPS

(MR.RAJESH GHANSHANI, DIRECTOR PARTNERSHIPS,STAAH)

BY DEBAJYOTI CHAKRABORTY

NEW DELHI | 24 JULY 2025

1. How has STAAH evolved its technology offerings to meet the changing needs of hotels and property managers, especially in the post-pandemic travel landscape?

Today’s hoteliers aren’t just looking for ways to maximise revenue, they’re also focused on delivering memorable guest experiences. It’s about finding that balance.

While the human element remains at the heart of hospitality, the pandemic really accelerated tech adoption across the industry. Hotels now actively seek out technology that helps them simplify operations, expand their online reach, and free up their staff to focus on what truly matters, delighting their guests.

STAAH helps power and fortify a hotel’s distribution network through Online Travel Agencies (OTA) and direct bookings. Our solutions empower hotels to list and manage their inventory across booking channels, check competition, grow commission-free direct bookings and manage their reputation, all mandatory requirements in a post-pandemic world occupied by digitally forward consumers! Our tools have helped hotels boost direct reservations, which offers a huge boost to their bottom line.

Another big focus of ours has been on data and analytics. We’ve made it easier for hotels to access real-time insights so they can make smarter and faster decisions. And of course, with cyber threats on the rise, we’ve invested heavily in security and compliance – PCI DSS certification and multi-factor authentication are now standard.

2. Please elaborate on any recent strategic partnerships or integrations that have significantly expanded STAAH’s reach or service capabilities across India?

Over the last 13 years in India, we’ve added over 5,000 partners pan India! By integrating our diverse range of solutions into their systems, our clients have seen every kind of problem or concern addressed — from operational deficiencies, manual errors, rate disparities, mismanaging multiple locations, dismal online presence, etc.

In India, among our wide repertoire of clients are — Kashmir’s Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa, the Black Rock Hotel Groups, Lemon Tree Hotels, Fern Hotels, Mayfair Hotels, Justa Hotels, Elgin Hotels, the Club Mahindra group and the Muthoot Group-operated Xandari Hotels & Resorts, to name a few.

3. What differentiates STAAH’s channel management and booking solutions from other players in the hospitality-tech space?

STAAH offers real-time, cloud-based channel management with full-stack API connectivity, ensuring seamless, automated updates across OTAs. As a preferred partner of Agoda, Expedia, Airbnb, and Booking.com among others, we provide priority access to the latest features. Regular product enhancements, smart revenue tools, and dedicated global support make STAAH a reliable growth partner for hospitality businesses. We’ve built a platform that’s incredibly flexible, with over 2000 integrations—so whether you’re a boutique property, a budget hotel or a large chain, you can connect to the systems and channels that matter most to you. Our dashboard is super intuitive, making it easy for teams to manage everything from rates to promotions in one place. We also provide advanced analytics, so hotels can see exactly what’s working for them and where there’s room to grow.

Another big differentiator is our commitment to direct bookings. Tools like SwiftBook are designed to help hotels convert more website visitors into guests, reducing reliance on OTAs. And of course, everything is mobile-friendly and backed by top-notch security standards. We’re all about making life easier for hoteliers and helping them drive more revenue.

4. In India, which regions is STAAH currently focusing on for growth, and how are you tailoring your services to meet local demands?

India’s travel and hospitality sectors are in a very exciting phase right now. We’ve seen domestic travel really take off post the pandemic and obviously, that has shot up the demand for hotel accommodations. We’re very excited about the momentum we’re seeing in the Indian market right now. Over the past year, direct bookings have surged, and we’re working closely with local hotel groups to provide booking engines and payment options that are tailored to suit the unique needs of Indian hoteliers and travellers. Properties are going in for a complete digital overhaul to meet rising guest expectations and maximize revenue.

We believe that building strong relationships and sharing knowledge is key to pushing the industry on to its next growth phase. Over the past 12 months, STAAH has hosted and participated in several high-impact networking events across India like The Big Connect in Mumbai, the first ever networking event in Madhya Pradesh, and a networking event in Puri among others. These events helped us connect, support and share knowledge with the industry and provide a platform for leaders to network and build a collaborative community that shapes the future of the hospitality industry in India.

We are also focused on reaching out to Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets like Kochi, Raipur, and Chandigarh, which are expected to see a surge in new hotels. The expansion plans of hotel chains adding more properties in these regions will hopefully help India continue its hospitality growth story well into 2026.