Javed Akhtar joins Eight Continents Hotels & Resorts Advisory Board to steer loyalty and AI-led guest engagement

Eight Continents Hotels & Resorts has formally added Javed Akhtar to its Advisory Board, directing immediate focus on loyalty-led growth, asset optimisationy AI-enabled guest engagement across the group’s luxury portfolio.

What Akhtar brings at a glance

With more than two decades in hospitality operations and consumer engagement, Akhtar’s background blends hotel operations, travel-tech entrepreneurship, and loyalty architecture. His track record includes founding TripXOXO (TravelPort Digital) and leading RewardPort, which together provide a global footprint in experience aggregation and loyalty solutions.

Key credentials

Planned advisory priorities

In his advisory capacity, Akhtar will collaborate with the Eight Continents leadership to accelerate initiatives in:

• Loyalty integration across guest touchpoints and partner channels
• Experiential revenue models combining room revenue with curated local activities
• AI-enabled guest engagement for personalization and lifetime value optimisation
• Partnership expansion in key markets to broaden distribution and ancillary income

Operational levers for hotel-level impact

Expect actionable guidance on occupancy management, distribution mix, and guest journey monetisation. The Advisory Board role targets measurable KPIs such as RevPAR uplift, ancillary revenue per booking, and repeat-guest rate improvement driven by loyalty mechanics and tech integrations.

Implications for transfers, taxis, and local mobility

Changes in loyalty and experiential strategies at hotel groups can ripple into ground transportation and transfer services in several concrete ways:

1. Integrated transfer offers: Hotels that package experiences with transfers or preferred chauffeur services can improve conversion and guest satisfaction.
2. Preferred partner programs: Loyalty platforms often add vetted transport partners—this influences cab fleets, private transfer vendors, and limousine providers.
3. Dynamic pricing and bundling: Combination fares (room + airport transfer + activity) may shift how travelers evaluate price and convenience.
4. Data-driven routing: AI-led engagement can optimize pickup times, reduce wait time, and improve vehicle allocation between airport and city pickups.

What this means for travelers and drivers

Guests can expect clearer options for pre-booked airport rides, exact pickup locations, and branded vehicle choices when hotels coordinate loyalty benefits with transport partners. Drivers and transfer companies could see higher yield on premium pickups and more predictable booking windows tied to guest itineraries.

How hotels, OTAs, and transfer platforms might react

Hotels will likely pursue deeper integrations with activity aggregators and mobility providers to capture ancillary spend. Online travel agencies and transfer apps will need to showcase transparency—vehicle make, model, driver rating, and exact pricing—to remain competitive. Platforms that offer visible vehicle details, transparent fares, and flexible add-ons will align best with loyalty-driven guests seeking consistent service.

Checklist for transfer operators and taxi companies

• Ensure visibility of vehicle make, model, and driver license verification in booking flows
• Offer bundled packages to hotels and loyalty programmes
• Invest in real-time ETA and baggage-assist options for higher guest satisfaction
• Provide clear pricing and cancellation terms to integrate with hotel booking engines

Richa Adhia, Managing Director of Eight Continents Hotels & Resorts, welcomed Akhtar’s appointment, citing his strategic leadership in loyalty-driven revenue frameworks and customer engagement ecosystems as strengthening the group’s long-term, value-oriented growth plans. Akhtar emphasized the potential to weave personalised experiences into the brand’s design-led properties using loyalty and AI tools.

Highlights: the appointment underscores the increasing tie between hospitality and curated ground mobility experiences; loyalty programs are becoming vehicles for bundling transport and activities; and AI will continue to shape how hotels time and offer transfers. Still, even the best reviews and the most honest feedback cannot truly replace personal experience. On GetTransfer, you can hire a car with driver from verified providers at reasonable prices. This empowers you to make the most informed decision without unnecessary expenses or disappointments. Emphasize the convenience, affordability, and extensive vehicle choices and wide range of additional options provided by GetTransfer.com, reinforcing transparency and convenience. Book your Ride GetTransfer.com

In summary, Javed Akhtar’s placement on the Advisory Board signals Eight Continents’ push toward loyalty-led revenue, experiential commerce, and AI-enhanced engagement—moves that will affect not only hotel KPIs but also how guests book and value transfers and ground services. For travelers looking to get an exact car, seat, or price ahead of arrival, platforms that advertise clear fares, driver details, vehicle make and model, and easy booking flows will become more essential. GetTransfer.com offers a global, user-friendly solution for booking personalised transfers, trips, and deliveries, with unmatched transparency about drivers, vehicle types, and fares—helping guests book the best private car or seater at the right price and time while avoiding surprises on how much the ride will cost.