Startek® South Africa honored with Best Employer Brand Award at the South Africa Leadership Awards 2025 Phil Tshikotshi recognized as Top HR Leader in South Africa, spotlighting people – first strategy and inclusive workplace culture at Startek Denver, Colorado – April 17, 2025: Startek®, a digital – first global customer experience (CX) solutions provider, today announced that its South Africa operations have been recognized with the Best Employer Brand Award 2025 at the South Africa Leadership Awards hosted by the Employer Branding Institute. In addition, Phil Tshikotshi, Head of HR, Startek South Africa, has been named the Topmost HR Leader in South Africa, marking a double victory for the company. Organized by the Employer Branding Institute, a network of senior HR professionals across 36 countries, the awards honor organizations for excellence in people practices. Startek stood out for its holistic approach to hiring, engagement, inclusion, learning and leadership. The recognition followed a detailed submission and rigorous jury evaluation. “At Startek, we build ecosystems where talent is nurtured, voices are heard and leadership emerges at every level. This recognition is a celebration of our South Africa team’s unwavering dedication to creating an inclusive, growth-focused and safe workplace. Phil Tshikotshi’s recognition as the top HR leader in the country reinforces our belief that great leadership is the cornerstone of a great culture,” said SM Gupta, Global Chief People Officer, Startek. These honors underscore the Startek commitment to fostering a high-performing, inclusive workplace. About Startek® For over 35 years, Startek has been at the forefront of customer experience management, serving the world’s leading brands. Operating in 13 countries with more than 38,000 associates, Startek delivers personalized experiences across voice and digital channels. Clients span diverse industries, including telecommunications, retail, e-commerce, financial services, and travel. To learn more visit www.startek.com and follow us on LinkedIn. About Employer Branding Institute: The Employer Branding Institute is a virtual organisation. Senior leaders in H.R connect with each other in the cyber space to share the best practices in Employer Branding and outstanding professionals in several countries who are contributing to “Talent Management, Talent Development and Talent Innovation” are a part of the Employer Branding Institute. Media relations Twinkle SoodStartekMedia Relationstwinkle.sood@startek.com
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Startek® wins 2025 Artificial Intelligence Excellence Award for Generative AI Innovation
Startek® wins 2025 Artificial Intelligence Excellence Award for Generative AI Innovation Recognition highlights the Startek commitment to driving human – centric AI solutions that transform customer experience Denver, Colorado – March 27, 2025 – Startek®, a digital-first global customer experience (CX) solutions provider, today announced that it has been named a winner in the 2025 Artificial Intelligence Excellence Awards presented by the Business Intelligence Group. Startek was recognized in the Generative AI – Organization category for its Startek® Agent Assist which uses generative AI to provide in-the-moment support across voice and non-voice channels empowering agents. This award celebrates the success of the Startek AI strategy, which integrates generative AI into its digital CX offerings to enhance customer engagement, improve agent performance and deliver business value. Startek solutions are designed to balance intelligent automation with empathy, enabling brands to offer faster, more personalized customer experiences at scale. “This award validates our strategic focus on leveraging AI to drive measurable outcomes,” said Abhinandan Jain, Chief Growth Officer, Startek. “By integrating advanced AI with a human-centric design, we’re delivering intelligent CX solutions that enhance efficiency, improve customer satisfaction and create real business impact.” The Artificial Intelligence Excellence Awards recognize organizations and individuals driving real-world innovation through AI. Winners are selected by a panel of industry experts based on creativity, measurable impact and leadership in the application of AI. To learn more about Startek AI-powered solutions, visit www.startek.com. About Startek® For over 35 years, Startek has been at the forefront of customer experience management, serving the world’s leading brands. Operating in 13 countries with more than 38,000 associates, Startek delivers personalized experiences across voice and digital channels. Clients span diverse industries, including telecommunications, retail, e-commerce, financial services, and travel. To learn more visit www.startek.com and follow us on LinkedIn. About Business Intelligence Group The Business Intelligence Group was founded with the mission of recognizing true talent and superior performance in the business world. Unlike other industry award programs, these programs are judged by business executives having experience and knowledge. The organization’s proprietary and unique scoring system selectively measures performance across multiple business domains and rewards those companies whose achievements stand above those of their peers. Media relations Twinkle SoodStartekMedia Relationstwinkle.sood@startek.com
Generative AI for travel and hospitality: What you need to know
Generative AI for travel and hospitality: What you need to know Startek EditorialMar 20, 2025 | 3 min read The travel and hospitality industry are embracing digital transformation, with generative AI leading the charge. From personalized itinerary planning to AI-powered chatbots, generative AI enhances guest interactions, optimizes booking experiences, and enables dynamic pricing. By leveraging real-time predictions and hyper-personalized recommendations, travel businesses ensure seamless customer journeys while staying competitive in an evolving market. According to Precedence Research, the global generative AI market in the travel industry is valued at USD 894.33 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 1,063.71 million in 2025. What are the challenges in travel and hospitality industries and how does generative AI help? The travel and hospitality industry faces several challenges, from managing high customer expectations to optimizing operational efficiency. Generative AI for travel is transforming the way businesses address these challenges, providing innovative solutions that enhance customer experiences and streamline processes. Personalized customer experiences – Generative AI analyzes customer data to create tailored itineraries, suggest personalized offers and enhance guest interactions. AI-driven chatbots provide instant, customized recommendations. Operational efficiency & cost management – AI automates tasks like answering FAQs, processing refunds and managing bookings, reducing costs and improving response times with virtual assistants. Demand prediction & dynamic pricing: AI analyzes booking trends, competitor pricing and market data to adjust prices dynamically, helping businesses maximize revenue and stay competitive. The top 3 applications of generative AI in travel and hospitality businesses are: Personalized travel planning Generative AI travel applications create customized itineraries based on customer preferences, budgets and travel history. By analyzing data from previous trips and user behavior, AI-powered platforms suggest tailored destinations, activities and accommodations, delivering hyper-personalized experiences that improve customer satisfaction. Virtual customer assistants AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants use generative AI to provide instant customer support. These virtual agents handle booking inquiries, recommend travel packages and assist with itinerary changes, improving customer service efficiency while offering 24/7 support. According to a report by Oliver Wyman, as of March 2024, 41% of travelers in the U.S. and Canada have used generative AI for trip inspiration or itinerary planning, an increase from 34% in August 2023. Dynamic pricing and demand forecasting Generative AI in the travel industry analyzes market trends, competitor rates and customer demand patterns to generate dynamic pricing strategies. This helps businesses optimize pricing in real time, maximize revenue and remain competitive during peak and off-peak seasons. How your business benefits from generative AI travel solutions Adopting generative AI unlocks new opportunities for businesses to innovate, differentiate and scale operations. Beyond just automation, generative AI in travel enables smart decision-making, enhances marketing efforts and improves risk management. Here are 3 key benefits: Improved content generation for marketing Generative AI travel solutions create high-quality marketing content, including personalized email campaigns, engaging social media posts and localized travel guides. AI-generated descriptions for hotels, destinations and promotions help businesses attract and convert more customers efficiently. Fraud detection and risk management The generative AI travel industry benefits from AI-driven fraud detection, which analyzes booking patterns and transaction data to identify anomalies. This helps businesses prevent fraud, reduce chargebacks and enhance security for travelers and service providers. Seamless multilingual customer support With generative AI in the travel industry, businesses provide real-time, multilingual customer support, breaking language barriers and improving global customer engagement. AI-powered translation tools ensure travelers receive accurate, localized assistance across different markets. Why you should choose Startek generative AI solutions for travel & hospitality Choosing Startek for generative AI in the travel industry ensures businesses stay ahead with cutting-edge AI solutions tailored for seamless customer experiences and operational efficiency. Startek specializes in generative AI for travel, enabling businesses to deliver personalized interactions, automate processes and optimize pricing strategies, driving higher revenue and customer satisfaction. AI-driven solutions enhance multilingual support, detect fraud and generate engaging content, making travel and hospitality services more competitive. With a proven track record in implementing generative AI travel technologies, Startek is a trusted partner in transforming operations and elevating the customer journey. Contact us today to explore how generative AI revolutionizes your travel and hospitality business! Read our blog: Customer experience analytics: Transform customer insights Boost your retail performance: Get your customized call center solution now! Contact us today
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Startek® wins Bronze Stevie® Award for excellence in customer experience
Startek® wins Bronze Stevie® Award for excellence in customer experience Recognition underscores Startek’s commitment to CX innovation and digital transformation Denver, Colorado – March 13, 2025 – Startek® a digital – first global customer experience (CX) solutions provider, has been honored with a Bronze Stevie® Award at the 2025 Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. This recognition highlights the company’s commitment to delivering exceptional customer experience and innovation – driven service excellence. The Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service are the world’s top honors for customer service, contact center, business development and sales professionals. The Stevie Awards organizes nine of the world’s leading business awards programs, also including the prestigious American Business Awards® and International Business Awards®. Abhinandan Jain, Chief Growth Officer at Startek said, “Technology is revolutionizing CX by equipping associates with real – time insights and automation while enabling brands to deliver hyper – personalized interactions at scale. This award reinforces our commitment to leveraging AI and digital solutions to enhance agent performance, optimize operations and help brands create seamless, personalized customer experiences. Startek continues to push the boundaries of CX innovation to shape the future of customer engagement.” With a relentless focus on innovation, Startek is helping organizations redefine how they connect with their customers, driving meaningful interactions that enhance loyalty and business growth. About Startek® For over 35 years, Startek has been at the forefront of customer experience management, serving the world’s leading brands. Operating in 13 countries with more than 38,000 associates, Startek delivers personalized experiences across voice and digital channels. Clients span diverse industries, including telecommunications, retail, e-commerce, financial services, and travel. To learn more visit www.startek.com and follow us on LinkedIn. About The Stevie® Awards Stevie Awards are conferred in nine programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards®, The International Business Awards®, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service, the Stevie Awards for Technology Excellence, and the Stevie Awards for Women in Business. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 12,000 entries each year from organizations in more than 70 nations and territories. More than 1,000 professionals around the world participate in the Stevie Awards judging process each year. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at http://www.StevieAwards.com. Media relations Twinkle SoodStartekMedia Relationstwinkle.sood@startek.com
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Startek® recognized as a top workplace by Comparably in three key categories
Startek® recognized as a top workplace by Comparably in three key categories Company earns honors for workplace culture, diversity and employee confidence Denver, Colorado – March 11, 2025 – Startek® a digital-first global customer experience (CX) solutions provider, today announced that it has been recognized with three prestigious Comparably awards for the first quarter of 2025: Best Company Outlook Best Company for Women Best Company for Diversity These accolades highlight the Startek commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace, empowering employees, and ensuring a culture where diverse perspectives drive innovation and business success. “At Startek, we believe that a thriving workplace is built on inclusivity, empowerment, and shared success,” said SM Gupta, Chief People Officer at Startek. “Earning recognition in three major categories — Best Company Outlook, Best Company for Women, and Best Company for Diversity — reaffirms our commitment to creating a supportive and forward-thinking work environment where all associates can grow and excel.” The Best Company Outlook award reflects strong employee confidence in the company’s future, while the Best Company for Women and Best Company for Diversity awards underscore the positive experiences of women and diverse employees at Startek, based on key workplace culture factors such as leadership, career development and work-life balance. About Startek® For over 35 years, Startek has been at the forefront of customer experience management, serving the world’s leading brands. Operating in 13 countries with more than 38,000 associates, Startek delivers personalized experiences across voice and digital channels. Clients span diverse industries, including telecommunications, retail, e-commerce, financial services, and travel. To learn more visit www.startek.com and follow us on LinkedIn. About Comparably Comparably by ZoomInfo is a leading employee review platform with 20 million anonymous employee ratings on 70,000 U.S. and Canadian companies. With the most comprehensive data on large and SMB organizations across nearly 20 workplace categories—based on gender, ethnicity, age, experience, industry, location, and education—it is one of the most used SaaS platforms for employer branding and a trusted third-party site for workplace culture and salary data. For more information on Comparably and its annual Best Places to Work series, visit comparably.com. Media relations Twinkle SoodStartekMedia Relationstwinkle.sood@startek.com
Startek® India earns Great Place To Work® Certification™ for 2025-26
Startek® India earns Great Place To Work® Certification™ for 2025-26 Mumbai, India, February 27, 2025 – Startek® a digital first global customer experience (CX) solutions provider, has been recognized as a Great Place To Work Certified™ organization in India for 2025-26. This achievement underscores Startek’s commitment to fostering an inclusive, engaging, and high-trust workplace culture. The Great Place To Work Certification is regarded as the most definitive ‘Employer-of-Choice’ recognition, serving as the gold standard for identifying and acknowledging exceptional workplace cultures. The rigorous evaluation process involved an extensive HR practice audit, leadership interviews, and an employee opinion survey aligned with a globally recognized framework. Startek India was assessed based on Trust Index© and Culture Audit© parameters, measuring key aspects that shape employee experiences and perceptions of a great workplace. “At Startek, our people are at the heart of everything we do. This certification is a testament to the thriving culture we have built — one that values trust, collaboration, and innovation,” said SM Gupta, Chief People Officer at Startek. “We remain committed to empowering our employees, driving professional growth, and fostering an environment where they feel valued and inspired.” Earning the Great Place To Work Certification reaffirms our dedication to creating a workplace where employees feel empowered and inspired to drive excellence every day. About Startek® For over 35 years, Startek has been at the forefront of customer experience management, serving the world’s leading brands. Operating in 13 countries with more than 38,000 associates, Startek delivers personalized experiences across voice and digital channels. Clients span diverse industries, including telecommunications, retail, e-commerce, financial services, and travel. To learn more visit www.startek.com and follow us on LinkedIn. About Great Place To Work Great Place To Work is the global authority on workplace culture, with a mission to help organizations create great workplaces for all. Since 1992, it has surveyed over 100 million employees worldwide, setting the benchmark for exceptional employee experiences across 150 countries. For more information on Great Place To Work, visit www.greatplacetowork.in and follow them on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Media relations Twinkle SoodStartekMedia Relationstwinkle.sood@startek.com










