MakeMyTrip Joins Forces with 10 Airlines and ICICI Bank to Elevate International Business Class Travel

Gurugram, 30 September 2024 – As India’s travel landscape continues to evolve, premium experiences are becoming a priority for many travelers. According to MakeMyTrip’s latest How Indians Travel Abroad report, there has been a 10% increase in searches for international business class flights between 2023 and 2024. Traditionally associated with long-haul destinations such as the USA and the UK, the trend is now extending to shorter routes, including destinations like Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, Japan, and Saudi Arabia.

To serve this growing trend, MakeMyTrip is bringing together 10 leading international airlines— Air Astana, Air India, Air India Express, Malaysia Airlines, Oman Air, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and Vistara—offering up to 20% discount on business class fares. To make it even more attractive, MakeMyTrip has partnered with ICICI Bank, providing an additional ₹10,000 off for ICICI Bank cardholders. Travelers can take advantage of these fantastic offers from September 27 to October 2, during the dedicated Business Class Fest.

“The Indian traveller is rapidly evolving, seeking the best at every stage of their travel journey. With the launch of initiatives like the Business Class Fest, we aim to make premium experiences both accessible and rewarding,” said, Saujanya Shrivastava, Chief Operating Officer – Flights, Holidays & Gulf at MakeMyTrip. “We are delighted that the travel ecosystem is increasingly looking to us as the preferred platform for premium travellers. We have introduced several new features and initiatives to enhance the travel experience of our customers and will continue to bring more such offerings in the coming months as well.”

This push to boost business class travel builds upon MakeMyTrip’s recent launch of a dedicated Business Class Funnel for international flights. Tailored specifically for business travelers, this feature provides an immersive, intuitive booking experience with high-quality visuals, refined filters, and a user-friendly interface that simplifies the business class booking process, ensuring transparency and convenience.

Your Travel, Your Way: Five Companies for Complete Customized Solutions

Planning a trip can be overwhelming, with countless details to consider and organize. Fortunately, some travel partners specialize in providing end-to-end solutions, ensuring a seamless and personalized experience from start to finish. Here are the top five travel companies that cater to your customized needs, including the innovative Viacation, Thomas Cook and more.

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1. Viacation
Viacation is renowned for its comprehensive travel solutions that cater to individual preferences and requirements. Whether you’re planning a solo adventure, a family vacation, or a corporate retreat, Viacation offers tailored itineraries, personalized booking services, and 24/7 customer support. Their expertise in creating unique travel experiences ensures that every journey is memorable and stress-free.

2. Thomas Cook India
With decades of experience in the travel industry, Thomas Cook India offers a wide range of services, from flight bookings and hotel reservations to visa assistance and travel insurance. Their customized packages are designed to meet the specific needs of every traveler, ensuring a hassle-free experience. Thomas Cook India’s extensive network and local expertise make them a reliable choice for both domestic and international trips.

3. MakeMyTrip
MakeMyTrip is a household name in India, known for its user-friendly platform and comprehensive travel services. From flight and hotel bookings to holiday packages and car rentals, MakeMyTrip covers all aspects of travel planning. Their customizable packages allow travelers to tailor their trips according to their preferences, making it easier to create the perfect itinerary for any occasion.

4. Yatra
Yatra offers a wide array of travel solutions, ensuring that every aspect of your journey is taken care of. Their services include flight and hotel bookings, holiday packages, and corporate travel solutions. Yatra’s focus on customization allows travelers to design their trips to match their unique needs and interests. Their efficient customer service and extensive network of partners make them a reliable choice for travelers seeking personalized experiences.

5. Cleartrip
Cleartrip stands out for its simple, intuitive platform that makes travel planning a breeze. They offer a range of services, including flight and hotel bookings, train tickets, and activity reservations. Cleartrip’s customizable travel packages are designed to suit the specific preferences of travelers, ensuring a personalized and enjoyable experience. Their commitment to transparency and ease of use makes them a popular choice for hassle-free travel planning.

Choosing the right travel partner can make all the difference in ensuring a smooth and enjoyable trip. These top five companies, including the versatile Viacation, provide comprehensive, end-to-end travel solutions that cater to your unique needs, making your travel experiences unforgettable.

Air India Express partners with MakeMyTrip to launch Xpress Holidays

16-July-2024, National: Air India Express introduces ‘Xpress Holidays’, a convenient platform that empowers travellers to book their entire vacation, including flights, accommodation, transport and activities, in one place. Powered by MakeMyTrip, this service offers exclusive deals, through the airline’s award-winning website airindiaexpress.com.

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Extended offerings of ‘Xpress Holidays’ include access to end-to-end holiday packages, including cab pick-ups, sightseeing tours and experiences. ‘Xpress Holidays’ can be accessed from the Product and Services section on the Air India Express website and features fab deals on specially curated packages.

The partnership with MakeMyTrip enables a variety of attractive packages to cater to different travel preferences. At an all-inclusive price starting from ₹15,876 per person, the Goa package includes a delightful stay at a 4-star hotel, round-trip flights, sightseeing, airport transfers, and meals for 3 nights and 4 days. For those seeking international adventures, the ‘Dubai Super Saver Holiday package’ starting from ₹44,357 per person is available for a memorable 4-night, 5-day experience, inclusive of round-trip flights, visa, accommodation, sightseeing tours, and selected meals. Various other exciting offers are also available on the website for all popular destinations, including those in Himachal Pradesh, Kashmir, Kerala, Northeast, and Rajasthan.

Speaking about Xpress Holidays, Ankur Garg, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India Express, said, “We are delighted to extend the services on our website and mobile app to be a one-stop solution for all travel needs. With the launch of the all-encompassing ‘Xpress Holidays’, powered by MakeMyTrip, we are also enabling exclusive curated offers on flights and accommodations across India and our key international destinations, including airport transfers and guided tours.”

Speaking about the collaboration, Saujanya Shrivastava, Chief Operating Officer – Flights, Holidays & Gulf at MakeMyTrip, said, “This partnership with Air India Express combines our collective strengths to make every travel booking experience seamless and comprehensive. We are excited to bring our bouquet of holiday packages and exclusive deals for Air India Express patrons to personalise and book alongside their flight tickets, backed by the MakeMyTrip fulfilment promise.”

As part of this collaboration, MakeMyTrip will also host ‘Xpress Holidays’ on the holidays package page on the MakeMyTrip website, displaying curated deals with Air India Express flights. With the introduction of this service, Air India Express reiterates its commitment to innovation and guest satisfaction, aligning with its proposition of ‘Fly As You Are,’ enabling a smarter and more personalised travel experience.

Government of Goa and MakeMyTrip Forge Historic Partnership

New Delhi, February 22, 2024In a landmark initiative, the Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, and MakeMyTrip have today inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signifying a ground-breaking public-private partnership, the very first of its kind. This collaborative effort aims to propel tourism in Goa into a vibrant, year-round destination, moving beyond its iconic sun, sand, and beaches.

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Goa is the first state in India to launch Regenerative Tourism initiative. The MoU, which outlines a series of innovative initiatives aimed at showcasing Goa’s lesser-known inland treasures, its rich cultural tapestry and delectable culinary traditions, is the next step ahead. The Tourism Minister of Goa expressed immense pride in this collaboration, emphasizing the government’s commitment to transforming Goa.

A Historic Partnership: Shri Suneel Anchipaka, IAS, Director Tourism & MD, GTDC Goa Administration, and Mr Rajesh Magow, Co-founder and Group CEO, MakeMyTrip, shake hands after signing a landmark MOU in the esteemed presence of Shri Rohan Khaunte, Minister of Tourism, IT, E&C, and Printing and Stationery, Government of Goa, and Mr Sanjeev Ahuja, Secretary, Goa Tourism. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in promoting tourism in Goa.

During the signing ceremony Shri Rohan Khaunte, Minister of Tourism, IT, E&C, and Printing and Stationery, Government of Goa said, “Our collective vision of Goa Beyond Beaches is to bring the hidden splendours of Goa to the forefront, celebrate its rich cultural heritage, take tourism to the hinterlands of Goa and ensure sustainable and regenerative tourism practices that preserve our natural resources for generations to come. Our partnership with MakeMyTrip will help us introduce tourists to the heart and soul of Goa, ensuring that the economic benefits of tourism are equitably distributed across the state.”

MakeMyTrip’s involvement is critical in this endeavour, as the company brings its expertise in digital innovation and marketing, contributing to further broaden the reach and appeal of Goa tourism. The travel major will highlight the state’s inland cultural richness and culinary traditions, which usually take a back seat to popular coastal attractions by curating a Cultural Map of Goa, pushing various initiatives to promote the multi-faceted state, and exposing potential travellers to the depth of delights that the state has to offer.

“We are excited to embark on this journey with the Government of Goa,” said Rajesh Magow, Co-founder and Group CEO, MakeMyTrip. “Our efforts will be directed towards showcasing the unexplored facets of Goa, promoting homestay penetration across the interiors of Goa and collaboratively nurture a sustainable tourism ecosystem.”

The spokesperson outlined MakeMyTrip’s plans, including curating unique travel itineraries, and promoting various festivals of Goa. “Through this MOU, we are not just promoting tourism – we are nurturing it to be adaptive, inclusive, and sustainable. This is about contributing to create a Goa that is as enduring as it is enchanting.” Rajesh emphasized.

Shri Suneel Anchipaka, IAS, Director Tourism & MD, GTDC Goa Administration, who was also in attendance at the ceremony added, “We are also focused on spotlighting Goa on the spiritual tourism map of India combining it with the wellness options the state has to offer. We have launched the Ekadasha Teertha campaign as part of our Regenerative Tourism initiative where we are connecting eleven places of worship to form a travel circuit. We are working towards building plastic-free and sustainable ecosystems in and around these sites to ensure the growth is in the right direction vis-à-vis the hosts and the tourists. Our endeavour is to make Goa a host-centric, people-first tourism destination.”

A central feature of this MOU is the commitment to sustainable tourism, aligning it with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) emphasized by Goa Tourism and the Goa Roadmap, a significant outcome of India’s G20 Tourism Track. MakeMyTrip’s involvement will extend beyond promoting sustainable stay and visit options to the realm of education for visitors to the state. Goa has a well drafted Homestay policy for this purpose. In collaboration with the Government of Goa, the company will use over 500,000 single use plastic bottles to construct a public art display that serves as a symbol to environmental preservation and a stark reminder of the importance of sustainable practices in tourism.

With Goa being the first state in India to launch Regenerative Tourism, in the next thirty-six months the department’s goal is to promote environmental restoration, cultural preservation, and community empowerment by means of four paths – spirituality, indigeneity, civilizational and cultural nationalism, and conscious tourism.

The Ekadasha Teertha or the Eleven Places of Transformation are centred around local communities, especially the women and the youth and meant to encourage the travel and tourism sector in India to adopt maintainable practices that benefit both the environment and the human population.

The Goa Tourism Minister Shri Rohan Khaunte concluded by emphasizing that this MoU is more than just an agreement, it is a testament to a long-term vision for Goa, ensuring the preservation of its cultural and natural heritage for future generations.