From Manual to Smart: ZUZU’s CEO Talks Hotel Transformation on BFM 89.9

In a world where global hotel chains dominate visibility and online bookings, independent hotels often struggle to keep up. But what if there was a way to level the playing field—without sacrificing your brand identity?

That’s exactly what ZUZU Hospitality is doing. Our Co-Founder & CEO; Vikram Malhi had the privilege to share how ZUZU Hospitality is helping over 2,500 independent hotels across Southeast Asia and India thrive in today’s fast-changing hospitality landscape in his recent appearance on Malaysia’s BFM 89.9’s “Open For Business,” hosted by Roshan Kanesan.

We’ve summed up some of the highlights to give you a quick look at what the podcast covers.

Why Independent Hotels Are Falling Behind

Large hotel chains like Marriott and Accor have the resources, systems, and teams to optimize pricing, analyze data, and run targeted campaigns across multiple online travel agencies (OTAs). Independent hotels? Not so much.

“They’re great at hospitality and creating amazing guest experiences, but not everyone has the time or tools to manage complex backend operations or revenue strategies,” Vikram explained.

That’s where ZUZU steps in.

ZUZU’s All-in-One Revenue Management Service

ZUZU is not just a software platform—it’s a fully managed service that blends technology with human expertise. The company helps hotels:

Maximize OTA visibility and performance
Implement dynamic pricing strategies
Gain market insights from data analytics
Automate review management and guest communications

It’s a plug-and-play model that gives hotels enterprise-level tools and a dedicated support team—without the enterprise cost.

AI: The Invisible Engine Behind Hotel Growth

In the podcast, Vikram highlights how AI isn’t just a buzzword—it’s actively reshaping the hospitality industry. While large hotel chains are already leveraging advanced technologies to streamline operations, predict demand, and personalize guest experiences, many independent hotels risk being left behind.

To avoid this gap widening, ZUZU is helping smaller hotels harness AI in a way that’s practical and impactful. By embedding intelligent features into its platform—such as dynamic pricing, performance analytics, and sentiment analysis—ZUZU ensures independent hoteliers can make data-driven decisions without needing a full in-house tech team.

As Vikram puts it:
“We will make sure that these independent hotels have the same platform, same tool, same data, same technology that big chains have as this AI revolution takes place.”

With this approach, ZUZU isn’t just offering tools—it’s creating access. Independent hotels gain the competitive edge they need to thrive in a digital-first world, where automation and agility are no longer optional, but essential. Whether it’s optimizing distribution, automating backend operations, or revealing untapped revenue, AI is the quiet engine driving scalable growth.

A Business Model That Aligns with Hotels

Perhaps the most compelling part of ZUZU’s model is its performance-based approach. There are no heavy upfront fees. ZUZU only succeeds when its partner hotels do. This alignment of goals has made the platform especially attractive for small to mid-sized hotel groups looking to scale sustainably.

With over $30 million raised to date, ZUZU is on a mission to support 10,000 hotels across APAC—and it’s already making waves.

Ready to Compete Like the Big Chains?

ZUZU’s mission is clear: empower independent hotels to compete on equal footing with the world’s biggest brands—without compromising their individuality.

💡 If you’re an independent hotel looking to grow revenue, streamline operations, and win back control from OTAs, ZUZU might just be your secret weapon.

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