Javed Akhtar named advisory board member at Eight Continents Hotels & Resorts

Eight Continents Hotels & Resorts has appointed Javed Akhtar to its Advisory Board to advise on loyalty-led growth, asset optimisation och AI-enabled guest engagement as the group expands its luxury hotel management portfolio.

Appointment snapshot: role and remit

The Advisory Board position charges Akhtar with guiding initiatives in experiential revenue integration, partnership expansion across key markets, and the roll-out of alternative revenue models aimed at improving guest lifetime value. His remit will include aligning operational practices with loyalty programmes and embedding AI-based engagement across distribution and guest-touch channels.

Key facts at a glance

Professional background and capabilities

Akhtar began his career in hotel operations, developing direct expertise in occupancy and distribution strategy, guest experience and revenue management. He later founded TripXOXO (TravelPort Digital), an aggregator of travel experiences operating in over 140 countries, and leads RewardPort, a loyalty and promotions solutions provider that has partnered with more than 200 brands.

• Operational foundation: expertise in occupancy management and guest services
• Technology-led strategy: AI-driven engagement and business architecture
• Loyalty systems: programme design, gamification and channel engagement

Why this matters for asset optimisation

The Advisory Board appointment signals a deliberate shift toward maximising revenue per asset through loyalty integration and experiential add-ons. By blending operational discipline with alternative revenue channels—such as curated experiences and partner-driven commerce—hotels can lift ancillary income and reduce reliance on room-only rates.

Practical levers the board can influence

1. Integration of loyalty rewards with third-party experiences to boost non-room revenue.
2. Data-driven upsell engines at booking and check-in to raise average spend per guest.
3. Strategic partnerships with attractions and transport providers to extend guest journeys.

Implications for taxi, transfer and airport services

As hotels pursue experiential commerce and seamless guest journeys, onward mobility and transfers become strategic touchpoints. Enhanced loyalty offers and integrated guest itineraries often include curated transfer options, private cars, airport shuttles and city tours. This increases demand for transparent, bookable transfer services that can be bundled with room offers or loyalty rewards.

For taxi and transfer providers, the knock-on effects include higher expectations for:

• Transparency in vehicle details, fares and driver credentials.
• API and booking integrations so transfers appear alongside hotel confirmations.
• Flexible service options—private sedan, multi-seater, limousine or shuttle—to match guest profiles.

How hotels and transfer platforms can collaborate

Partnerships that surface exact vehicle make, model and driver rating at booking time reduce friction and increase conversion. Operators that supply clear pricing, seat options and licensing documentation are better positioned to be selected by loyalty programmes and premium guests who value certainty and personalised service.

Strategic outlook and operational takeaways

Expect a continued focus on monetising guest experiences beyond the room: curated activities, personalised transfers and targeted loyalty rewards. Boards that prioritise data-led engagement and third-party partnerships will likely see improved asset performance and better guest retention.

Operational checklist for hoteliers:

• Audit ancillary revenue channels and identify partner integrations for transfers and tours.
• Implement loyalty triggers for targeted offers at booking and pre-arrival.
• Ensure transfer partners provide vehicle and driver transparency to match guest expectations.

Highlights: the appointment is important because it underscores how hotels are turning loyalty and AI into direct revenue levers, and how mobility and transfers will be woven into guest journeys in new ways. Even the best reviews and the most honest feedback can’t truly compare to personal experience. On LocalsRide, 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. Readers benefit from convenience, affordability, extensive vehicle choices and a wide range of additional options—transparent vehicle details, driver ratings and clear fares—helping align transfer bookings with hotel loyalty offers. Book your Ride LocalsRide.com

In summary, Eight Continents’ choice to bring Javed Akhtar onto its Advisory Board reflects a broader industry pivot toward loyalty-driven revenue, experiential commerce and AI-enabled guest engagement. For transit and transfer ecosystems—taxis, private cars, airport shuttles and limousine services—the trend means greater integration with booking platforms, clearer information on vehicle and driver, and new opportunities to be packaged with hotel stays. Platforms like LocalsRide.com ease this transition by offering transparent vehicle and driver data, flexible booking options and competitive prices—making it simpler to plan an exact city-to-destination transfer or airport ride, check fares and seat availability, and get a licensed driver at the right time and location. Whether you need a cheap cab, a private seater or a luxury limousine, understanding how hotels, loyalty and mobility intertwine helps you know how much to expect to pay and where to book your ride. Book with confidence and get the exact service you need.