What is actually changing
Indian hotels still run a split stack: a PMS, a channel manager, a booking engine, and a guest chat tool that do not share one record. AI labels have arrived faster than the operational join.
The pressure that is real is distribution (MakeMyTrip, Goibibo, Booking.com, Agoda), GST on the folio, WhatsApp as the guest inbox, and DPDP expectations on guest data. Market-size theatre is not required to see that.
How to read a vendor claim in 2026
Separate a chatbot that answers FAQs from an agent that can propose a stay change and wait for confirmation. Separate a dashboard from a system of record.
Use the buyer checklist and the compare pages on this site when a shortlist starts. Those pages state jobs, not invented share.
Editorial note: connectivity and go-live claims are configuration-dependent. This library does not invent market-share rankings or universal ROI. Verify GST, DPDP, and tax treatment with qualified advisors for your properties.