STAAH PRODUCT UPDATES YOU CAN’T MISS – January 2026

January, Engine On! This year is yours to win. We’re starting 2026 by setting hoteliers up for success with smoother workflows, smarter defaults, and more
reliable operations that reduce manual effort and keep systems running cleanly as demand builds.  

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And this is only the start, with big, impactful updates lined up to help you move faster and make this year count. 

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Channel Manager Update 

1) Max – Channel Mapping – Disable Booking

We have updated the Disable Booking function to improve cancellation handling, without enabling booking delivery. 

How it works – 

• ✅ Bookings are retrieved and recorded in the Channel Manager 
• ✅ Inventory is deducted when a booking arrives 
• 🚫 Booking delivery to the PMS remains blocked
• 🚫 Confirmation emails remain blocked 
• 🔄 Cancellations can now be managed 

Purpose:
Disable Booking continues to block PMS delivery and property confirmation emails, while now retaining booking records for operational visibility. 

2) Max – Booking.com – Derived Rate Plan Bookings

 We have improved how Max processes Booking.com derived rate plan bookings to ensure more accurate rate plan data in your PMS. 

Earlier, bookings for derived rate plans only carried the parent rate plan ID, even when a derived rate existed. 

What’s new: 

• Max checks whether the derived rate plan is mapped
• If mapped, Max uses the derived rate plan ID
• The derived rate plan ID is passed to the PMS with the booking
• If not mapped, bookings continue using the parent rate plan ID 

Impact:
Clearer, more accurate rate plan tracking in the PMS for Booking.com derived rate plans. 

3) Max – Availability and Rates Calendar – SwiftBook/ Meta – Rules – Restrictions

 We have enhanced how restrictions are managed for SwiftBook and Meta channels, bringing greater control and consistency to the Availability & Rates calendar. 

What’s new: 

• Restrictions for SwiftBook and Meta can now be managed directly from Availability & Rates → Rules
• Restrictions can be set at the channel level (previously limited to base level)
• All restriction management is now centralized in one place for a smoother workflow 

Supporting enhancements: 

• Bulk Update: Now supports SwiftBook and Meta channels for bulk restriction management
• BE Package Validity: Minimum and Maximum Stay can no longer be edited after package creation; all
  restrictions are now managed via Availability & Rates → Rules
• BE Package Stop Sell: Stop Sell restrictions are now controlled via Availability & Rates → Rules 

Impact: 
Simpler, more consistent restriction management with better channel-level control across SwiftBook and Meta. 

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Booking Engine Update 

1) SwiftBook – Payment Connect

We have made it easier to control how payment options appear on your SwiftBook booking engine. 

What’s new: 

• Payment gateways can now be reordered using drag and drop
• The selected order is reflected directly on the SwiftBook booking engine, creating a more intuitive checkout experience 

How to access: 
Login → Payment Connect → drag and drop connected payment gateways to reorder them 

UI highlights: 

• Drag handle (⋮⋮): Indicates gateways can be moved
• “Drag to reorder” hint: Subtle guidance near the section header
• Cursor change: Turns into a grab hand on hover
• Hover effect: Tiles lift slightly with a shadow for clear visual feedback 

Impact:
Faster setup and better control over how payment options are presented to guests. 

2) SwiftBook – BE Package – Package Name

We have added a small but important validation to improve package setup in SwiftBook. 

What’s new: 

• Duplicate package names are no longer allowed when creating a new package
• Validation applies only to new packages during setup 

Note:
Existing packages are not impacted by this change. 

Impact: 
Cleaner package management and reduced confusion during booking engine configuration. 

3) SwiftBook – Min and Max Stay Through

SwiftBook now supports minimum and maximum stay-through restrictions, giving properties greater control over bookings that span specific dates, not just arrival days. 

What’s new: 

• Apply stay-through rules to ensure guests remain in-house across key dates
• More control compared to Minimum Stay on Arrival, which only governs check-in dates

Key Difference from Minimum Stay Arrival: 

Why it matters (Use Cases): 

• Peak dates & events: Ensure guests stay through New Year’s Eve
• Holiday weekends: Prevent early check-outs on busy Mondays
• Special events: Keep guests for the full duration of festivals or conferences 

Example:
If you host a New Year’s Eve party on Dec 31, a 2-night minimum stay-through on that date ensures any booking that includes Dec 31 is at least two nights, so guests don’t miss the celebration. 

Impact: 
Better revenue protection and smarter control over high-value dates. 

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Channels

Karpaten

Karpaten is a Romanian travel company offering both B2B and B2C services, including holiday packages, tours and accommodation across Europe and beyond. With long-standing industry experience, Karpatensupports flexible and tailored travel solutions for travellers and partners. Find out more on their website. 

Ixigo

Ixigo is a leading B2C travel platform in India, enabling users to search and book flights, trains, buses, hotels and more
via its app and website. Powered by smart technology and data, Ixigo simplifies travel planning for everyday travellers. Find out more on their website. 

CN Booking

CN Booking is a B2B hotel wholesaler providing accommodation inventory and travel products to travel agencies and partners at competitive rates. With broad hotel coverage and system connectivity, CN Booking supports efficient booking and distribution for its partners. Find out more on their website. 

Hummingbird

Hummingbird is a B2B travel wholesaler and destination management company specialising in luxury island destinations across the Indian Ocean and Caribbean, providing competitive hotel inventory, bespoke travel experiences and ground‑handling support for travel partners worldwide. With advanced booking technology and dedicated service, Hummingbird helps agencies and tour operators deliver premium travel products efficiently. Find out more on their website.

Rovitravel

Rovitravel is a B2C travel platform and mobile app offering AI‑assisted trip planning and booking for flights, hotels, tours and travel services. Combining smart itinerary recommendations with a wide range of travel products, Rovi Travel aims to simplify planning and enrich travel experiences for individual travellers. Find out more on their website.

Hopper (Hotel)

Hopper is a global travel technology company serving both B2C travellers through its Hopper app and B2B partners via Hopper Technology Solutions (HTS). It enables users to book flights, hotels, cars and more with predictive pricing tools and innovative fintech features, while providing travel brands with technology to power direct booking channels. Find out more on their website.

Tytlees

Tytlees is a B2B hotel booking platform focused on providing travel agents with access to premium Indian hotels, featuring real‑time availability, competitive pricing and a curated selection of properties. Built with industry expertise and technology, Tytlees streamlines hotel reservations and offers efficient booking solutions for travel professionals. Find out more on their website.