Redefining Hotel Distribution for the Modern Hotelier
In a strategic move aligned with the evolving digital landscape of the hospitality industry, Keys Hotels, a well-established brand in India’s budget and upscale hotel segment, has announced its collaboration with AxisRooms, a Bengaluru-based hospitality tech company specializing in hotel distribution.
This partnership focuses on digitally optimizing distribution channels and equipping Keys Hotels with a seamless, automated inventory management system across all booking platforms.
Understanding the Industry Challenge
Hoteliers today grapple with managing inventory across multiple online travel agencies (OTAs), global distribution systems (GDS), and direct booking platforms. This fragmentation often results in:
- Rate disparities
- Overbookings
- Lost revenue opportunities
- Increased manual workload for revenue and reservations teams
The collaboration between Keys Hotels and AxisRooms directly addresses these concerns by offering a unified, tech-forward solution designed with hotel operations in mind.
Industry Insight: OTA commissions that once ranged from 15-20% now reach 30% or higher, with recent studies finding hotels paying up to 40% commission when accounting for volume discounts, making direct booking strategies increasingly critical for profitability.
What Does This Partnership Bring to the Table?
Here's a snapshot of the strategic value this integration delivers:
Why AxisRooms? A Tech Partner Built for Hoteliers
- Channel Manager: Connects with over 250 OTAs and GDS platforms
- Booking Engine: Customizable, mobile-optimized, and integrates with hotel websites
- Rate Shopper & Revenue Intelligence Tools
- Corporate Rate Distribution Module
- OTA Integrations that ensure consistency and visibility across all booking channels
They currently power distribution for respected brands such as Orange County, Abad Hotels, Leisure Hotels Group, and Casino Group of Hotels, to name a few.
Voices from the Industry
Anshu Sarin, CEO – Berggruen Hotels Pvt. Ltd. (Keys Hotels)
“Our distribution goals were clear—automation, control, and consistency. With AxisRooms, we now have a single-window platform that allows our hotels to dynamically manage inventory and rates, cut down on manual tasks, and ensure rate parity across all our partners.”
Ravi Taneja, COO & Co-Founder – AxisRooms
“We built AxisRooms with hoteliers in mind. This partnership with Keys Hotels is another example of how hotel brands can enhance profitability through streamlined technology. Our goal is to empower revenue teams with tools that drive results, not complexity.”
The Real Impact: Day-to-Day Benefits for Hotel Teams
For General Managers, Revenue Managers, and Reservation Teams, the benefits of the partnership translate into tangible operational advantages:
For GMs:
- Reduced dependency on manual oversight of online channels
- Unified dashboards for daily performance and pick-up metrics
For Revenue Managers:
- Real-time pricing updates
- Historical and future-looking data for strategic rate planning
For Reservation Teams:
- Automated inventory updates reduce chances of overbookings
- Faster response times for guest inquiries due to synced availability
Technology with a Future-Ready Outlook
The hotel industry has entered an era where digital infrastructure is no longer optional—it's fundamental. Travelers today are booking via:
- OTAs
- Brand websites
- Meta-search engines (Google Hotels, TripAdvisor, Trivago)
- Direct messaging and social platforms
Future-ready hotel brands are those who:
- Invest in connected technology stacks
- Use predictive data to drive revenue strategy
- Prioritize seamless guest experiences, from booking to post-stay
Mobile Booking Insight: In 2023, 68% of online traffic for travel and hospitality websites came from mobile devices, and by 2024, mobile bookings overtook desktop bookings for UK staycations, with 51.3% of bookings made on smartphone devices, representing a 6.1% increase from the previous year.
Current Trends That Support This Move
Keys Hotels' decision to modernize its distribution tech aligns with several broader hospitality trends:
Final Thoughts: Building a Smarter Distribution Strategy
This partnership is more than just a tech integration—it represents a shift in mindset for hoteliers looking to future-proof their business. With AxisRooms’ robust technology stack and Keys Hotels' expanding footprint, the collaboration is poised to set a benchmark for mid-market hotel chains in India.
By embracing intelligent distribution, Keys Hotels is reinforcing its position as a progressive, tech-enabled hospitality brand ready to meet the expectations of modern travelers and business partners alike.