In the ever-evolving landscape of B2B travel, few names resonate with as much consistency and innovation as Jaal Shah, the Managing Director of Rezlive.com. A trailblazer in the global travel distribution space, Shah has been instrumental in transforming Rezlive from a regional player into a globally recognised travel technology brand catering to over 20,000 travel partners across 50+ countries. From overcoming challenges to unveiling what is next, this interview offers a front-row seat to the mind behind one of B2B travel’s most resilient success stories.
RezLive.com has experienced significant growth over the years. Can you walk us through your journey and what you consider the key milestones in its evolution?
RezLive.com’s journey is a testament to our commitment to innovation and empowering B2B travel agents. We began as a hotel booking platform and progressively expanded into a one-stop travel ecosystem. Key milestones include the launch of sightseeing, transfers, car rentals, cruise bookings, VIP Desk concierge services, travel insurance, and now, the addition of rail and upcoming air services. Our journey has always been about evolving alongside our partners’ needs, transforming into a global travel enabler with a presence in over 50 countries.
In today’s dynamic travel landscape, what differentiates RezLive.com from other B2B global booking platforms?
What sets RezLive.com apart is our deep-rooted B2B-first approach, seamless technology integration, and comprehensive product offerings—all on a single platform. From hotels and transfers to cruises, concierge services, and rail bookings, we ensure agents have real-time access, competitive pricing, instant confirmations, and 24/7 support. Our AI-powered features, like SmartMatch automate complex processes such as room matching, enhancing accuracy and efficiency.
With technology playing a pivotal role in travel bookings, how is RezLive leveraging innovation to enhance the agent experience?
We are proud to announce the opening of our third state-of-the-art development centre, reinforcing our commitment to driving innovation in travel technology. Our proprietary SmartMatch AI tool simplifies the room selection process for agents, delivering quicker, more accurate results. The newly launched mobile app allows agents to manage bookings, access vouchers, and seamlessly book across verticals—anytime, anywhere.
How has the demand for multi-product integration (hotels, sightseeing, transfers) grown among your B2B partners, and how are you catering to it?
We have seen a surge in demand for integrated travel solutions. Agents prefer platforms that offer end-to-end bookings—from hotels and transfers to activities and cruises. RezLive.com’s platform simplifies this with real-time availability and a unified interface. Our concierge and cruise offerings further strengthen the portfolio, enabling agents to craft tailored travel experiences for every client segment—luxury, budget, leisure, or corporate.
Which are your strongest source markets currently, and where do you see the next wave of growth coming from?
Our strongest source markets include the Middle East, India, Southeast Asia, and parts of Europe. We are seeing increasing traction in secondary cities and newer segments such as cruise and rail travel. Looking ahead, we anticipate strong growth from Saudi Arabia, the broader GCC, and Eastern Europe, driven by rising outbound tourism and digital adoption among agents.
What new destinations or product categories has RezLive.com recently added, and what drove those choices?
Recent additions include cruise bookings (Resorts World Cruises, with others like MSC and Royal Caribbean coming soon), rail bookings in Europe, and concierge services through our VIP Desk. These expansions are driven by consumer trends like experiential travel, luxury personalisation, and the demand for seamless ground transportation. We also expanded hotel content in secondary cities across the globe, aligning with market demand.
How do you see AI, big data, and predictive analytics influencing B2B travel bookings in the next few years? Is RezLive preparing for that future?
Absolutely. We believe AI and predictive analytics will reshape B2B travel by enhancing personalisation, automating repetitive tasks, and offering smarter pricing and inventory decisions. Our SmartMatch AI tool is just the beginning. We are investing in AI for itinerary suggestions, dynamic packaging, and customer behaviour analysis to support our partners in making data-driven decisions.
Finally, what is your vision for RezLive.com in the next 3–5 years, and what message would you like to share with your travel agent partners?
Our vision is to become the most trusted, comprehensive B2B travel platform globally—empowering agents with technology, content, and support. Over the next few years, we aim to further expand into air bookings, deepen AI integrations, and strengthen our local partnerships. To our partners: we are here to grow with you!