As travellers increasingly shift from traditional search engines to AI-powered platforms for hotel discovery and itinerary planning, the hospitality industry is facing a new challenge—remaining visible in an AI-driven ecosystem.
Addressing this emerging gap, hospitality veteran Edwin Saldanha has launched Marketinn, a specialised digital marketing and consultancy firm aimed at helping hotels enhance their AI discoverability, reduce dependence on online travel agencies (OTAs), and drive direct bookings.
With over three decades of experience, including roles with Oberoi Hotels & Resorts and STAAH, Saldanha brings deep expertise in operations, revenue management, and digital strategy. During his tenure at STAAH, he played a key role in expanding the company’s global footprint to over 30,000 partner properties.
“AI visibility is no longer optional—it is fundamental to survival,” said Saldanha. “Independent hotels often have the data but lack the roadmap. Marketinn aims to bridge that gap by enabling properties to strengthen their digital presence and compete with larger chains.”
Marketinn’s core offerings include AI visibility audits, digital revenue strategy, and implementation support. The company also introduces a “Digital Intelligence Score” to assess a hotel’s performance across AI platforms, search visibility, OTA distribution, and direct booking channels.
The launch comes at a time when hotels are grappling with rising OTA dominance and changing consumer behaviour, signalling a broader shift towards AI-led travel discovery.
