In this episode of Innside Scoop with Anant Kumar, we sit down with Karan Mahesh, Senior Sales Manager – South & Southeast Asia at STR (CoStar Group), to decode the data behind India’s hotel and hospitality boom.

From occupancy and RevPAR trends to how pricing power has returned post-pandemic, Karan shares data-driven insights that reveal what’s really happening in India’s hotel market. He also explains how STR’s analytics shape strategic decisions for hotel owners, investors, and brands across the region.

In this conversation:

• The real story behind India’s hotel recovery
• What hotel data reveals about demand patterns
• How hoteliers can use analytics to make smarter decisions
• Advice for aspiring hospitality professionals

Whether you’re a hotel owner, investor, or an aspiring hotelier, this episode offers a rare inside look at how data drives success in hospitality today.

Subscribe to Innside Scoop with Anant Kumar for more deep-dive conversations with the people shaping the hospitality industry.

Guest Suggestions:
Email: innsidescooppodcast@gmail.com

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• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCjEI8Hl3bFNm9_ZBFtxx_nw
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Follow Karan Mahesh

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karanmahesh/

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• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CoStar
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/costar/
• Website: https://www.costar.com/

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• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anant-apurv-kumar/

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• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@brijhotels672
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brijhotels/
• Website: https://www.brijhotels.com/

About Innside Scoop

Innside Scoop is the ultimate podcast for hospitality enthusiasts, aspiring hoteliers, and industry professionals. Hosted by Anant Kumar, Co-founder of Brij Hotels, the podcast delivers deep insights, industry trends, and practical advice from leaders shaping the future of hospitality.

Why listen?

• Expert insights from hospitality leaders
• Industry secrets, trends, and strategies
• Real-world experiences from successful professionals
• Actionable advice for hotel owners, investors, and aspiring hoteliers

Join us as we explore the dynamic world of hospitality—from luxury hotels and boutique stays to data, technology, and service innovation.

In this episode of Innside Scoop, we sit down with Patu Keswani, the visionary founder of Lemon Tree Hotels, to explore how he built one of India’s most respected hospitality brands.

This is not just an inspiring story – it is also the most information-packed episode yet. From the economics of hotel growth to the realities of entry-level work, Patu shares candid insights into the hospitality industry in India, leadership, and building a purpose-driven company.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• How the Indian hospitality industry has evolved and where it’s heading
• The realities of working in hotels at the ground level
• Why Lemon Tree Hotels made inclusion and dignity of work its foundation
• Leadership lessons on humility, growth, and purpose
• Practical takeaways for entrepreneurs building in India

Timestamps:
00:00 | Introduction
03:13 | Early life and family values shaping leadership
05:45 | Lessons from Tata and Taj
06:17 | Entry-level hotel work
11:23 | Building company culture
13:52 | Mentors and leadership lessons
19:26 | Pet-friendly hotels & inclusion
24:56 | Passion for pets
27:56 | Funding Lemon Tree
31:47 | Taking Lemon Tree public
42:03 | Future plans & expansion
51:00 | Family influences & legacy
54:23 | Industry myths & lessons
57:43 | Creating leaders
01:01:28 | Books & business challenges
01:04:54 | Reflections
01:07:18 | Advice for youngsters
01:09:56 | Favourite hotel stays & closing thoughts

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Host - Anant Apurv Kumar:
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Tune in and get the insights you need to excel in the world of hospitality.

How do you go from sleeping in second-class train containers to raising a $3.1 billion fund? In this power-packed episode, host Anant Kumar and his brother Udit Kumar—co-founders of Brij Hotels—sit down with Deep Kalra, the legendary founder of MakeMyTrip, to unpack his gritty entrepreneurial story, hard-won fundraising lessons, and the leadership mindset behind building a global travel giant.

• Early struggles, bold bets & the vision that launched MakeMyTrip.
• How MMT scaled into a global travel leader—wins, pivots, and near-misses.
• Fundraising principles every founder should know.
• Actionable insights on hospitality, travel, culture, and leadership.

If you’re an aspiring hotelier, a startup founder, or just love stories of grit and execution—this episode is a goldmine.

• 00:00 | Introduction
• 02:45 | The Founding Story of MakeMyTrip
• 09:55 | Rajesh Magow’s IPO Roadshow Experience
• 17:45 | Deep Kalra’s Biggest Regret
• 18:42 | Offsites in Second-Class Trains: Humble Beginnings
• 20:52 | Building Ebookers: The Full Journey
• 24:55 | Why Deep Quit Banking (and Family Support)
• 31:33 | Is Deep Protective About the MMT Brand?
• 33:36 | MakeMyTrip Almost Sold for $10M?
• 37:18 | Deep’s Toughest Decision
• 41:14 | Risk vs Opportunity in AI: MMT’s Move
• 44:28 | Building MMT’s Work Culture
• 48:57 | Staying Composed in Adversity
• 52:39 | Does Deep Face Imposter Syndrome?
• 56:16 | A Day Off in Deep’s Life
• 58:43 | Why MakeMyTrip & Goibibo Merged
• 01:04:27 | What Led to the Ctrip Buyout?
• 01:05:02 | Transitioning from CEO to Chairman
• 01:07:03 | MakeMyTrip’s Next 25 Years
• 01:08:17 | The Story Behind Ashoka University
• 01:11:50 | Deep vs. Rajesh: Who’s Better at What?
• 01:12:34 | 25 Years of Trust: What Customers Say
• 01:15:36 | Gut Instinct: When It Works (& When It Doesn’t)
• 01:17:16 | Slippery Slope: Fast-Paced Q&A

• YouTube (Innside Scoop): youtube.com/@UCjEI8Hl3bFNm9_ZBFtxx_nw
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• Instagram: @deepkalra__
• X: @deepkalrammt
• LinkedIn: Deep Kalra

• YouTube: @MakeMyTripOfficial
• Instagram: @makemytrip
• Website: makemytrip.com

• LinkedIn (Anant): @anant-apurv-kumar
• Instagram (Udit): @tidukumar