Tag Archives: MakeMyTrip

MakeMyTrip launches part payment option

 

MakeMyTrip has unveiled a new feature enabling travellers to book international flights with ease. The Part Payment Option allows users to confirm bookings by paying only 10–40% of the total fare upfront, with the exact percentage based on factors like airline, travel route, and advance booking window. The remaining balance can be paid either before the travel date or within 45 days of booking, at no extra cost.

This industry-first feature addresses a significant challenge for travellers, especially families or groups, who may struggle to pay the full ticket price upfront. Once the full payment is completed, users can modify their confirmed bookings in accordance with fare rules. MakeMyTrip aims to simplify international travel bookings by offering greater flexibility and convenience to its users.

Saujanya Shrivastava, Chief Operating Officer – Flights, Holidays & Gulf, remarked, “Our mission is to make travel more accessible and hassle-free. The part payment feature is an example of leveraging technology to address real traveler challenges. This innovative solution empowers Indians to book international flights with enhanced flexibility, making travel planning easier for all.” The feature has seen strong initial adoption, especially for tickets exceeding INR 1 lakh, with families and solo travellers among the early users.

MakeMyTrip has consistently introduced user-focused innovations, including ‘Zero Cancellation,’ providing coverage for unforeseen cancellations, and ‘Fare Lock,’ allowing users to lock flight prices for a small fee. Additionally, the ‘Free Date Change’ feature offers flexibility to modify travel dates up to two hours before departure. These practical solutions showcase MakeMyTrip’s commitment to enhancing travel convenience and accessibility.

MakeMyTrip to acquire expense management platform Happay from CRED

MakeMyTrip has signed a business transfer agreement to acquire Happay Expense Management Platform from CRED.
Happay was acquired by CRED in late 2021 in a deal worth USD 180 million.

Happay provides expense management for corporates to manage travel and tax benefits for their employees. The company offers specialised solutions for large businesses with multiple branches and surface logistics companies.

Under the new agreement, the Happay brand, its expense management business, and its dedicated team will transition to MakeMyTrip.
The transaction is expected to close within the next 90 days, subject to closing conditions. According to the press release, Happay’s team will continue to support the existing client base while working in close partnership with MakeMyTrip’s corporate travel services team.

“The acquisition of Happay’s brand and expense management platform is a natural next step in our strategy to lead this space. By integrating Happay’s expertise, which spans over 900 corporate clients, MakeMyTrip is set to redefine the benchmarks once again in corporate travel and expense management in India,” said Rajesh Magow, Co-founder and Group CEO, MakeMyTrip.

Happay’s payments business and team, which has focused on developing an innovative technology stack and business payments products, will remain with CRED. Most recently, this vertical launched B2B payment solutions on Bharat Connect in partnership with NPCI.

“Our focus at CRED is on developing products that enable financial progress. By enabling each vertical to play to its strengths, we’re positioning both teams – who’ve built market-leading products and capabilities – to scale in their domains. I’m excited about the payments team’s opportunity to transform the B2B payments experience into one that’s frictionless, reliable, and one that’s set for rapid growth,” said Kunal Shah, founder, CRED.

Singapore has seen a surge in Indian visitors in the past decade

Singapore records 12% growth in Indian arrivals; crosses one-million mark

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has said that visitor arrivals from India have surged past the one-million-mark, two months earlier than in 2023. This milestone was achieved when Singapore Airlines flight SQ-421 from Mumbai touched down at Changi Airport on October 3, bringing in Singapore’s millionth Indian visitor for 2024.

With a 12% increase in Indian visitors from January to October 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, India is Singapore’s third-largest source market for tourism.

Markus Tan, Regional Director of STB for India, Middle East, South Asia, and Africa, commented on this significant milestone “Welcoming our one millionth Indian visitor two months earlier than in 2023 demonstrates Singapore’s enduring appeal as a premier short-haul destination for Indian travellers. This milestone not only reflects our strong tourism recovery but also highlights the continued importance of the metros as source markets. Beyond the metros, STB is also expanding our reach and appeal of Singapore across diverse regions of India, using targeted marketing efforts and initiatives with the travel trade. We remain steadfast in our commitment to offering novel and engaging experiences that resonate with the aspirations of our Indian guests, ensuring that Singapore continues to be a destination of choice for years to come.”

Singapore’s appeal to Indian travellers has been bolstered by strong connectivity and its diverse range of experiences catering to different visitor segments. In India, STB has partnered with popular Indian brands and launched various marketing initiatives to elevate Singapore’s appeal.

Commenting on the occasion, Sy Yen Chen, General Manager India, Singapore Airlines shared, “Singapore Airlines is thrilled to have flown the millionth passenger from India to Singapore this year, an exciting milestone in connecting Indian travellers to our home country. India remains a key market for Singapore Airlines, and we’re proud that our world-class service continues to make us one of the preferred airlines for Indian travellers. Together with our longstanding partner, the Singapore Tourism Board, we’re excited to continue offering fresh, exciting experiences for both new and returning travellers, and to building even stronger ties between India and Singapore in the years ahead.”

Chew Tiong Heng, Divisional Director, Business & Experience Development, Sentosa Development Corporation shared “India has consistently been Sentosa’s leading source market, and we take great pride in remaining as a compelling and attractive destination for Indian travellers. We are especially delighted by the notable increase in Indian travellers in October 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, which reaffirms Sentosa and Singapore’s enduring appeal. The recent launch of Sensoryscape, our multi-sensorial playground, marked the start of a series of transformations that Sentosa is undergoing. Visitors can expect to see more world-class attractions and leisure offerings moving forward, including the upcoming Singapore Oceanarium, as well as innovative collaborations with industry partners, exemplified by our recent MOU with STIC Travel Group, to enhance Sentosa’s standing in the Indian market across traveller demographics”.

Raj Rishi Singh, Chief Marketing Officer & Chief Business Officer – Corporate, MakeMyTrip said, “Singapore continues to captivate Indian travellers, ranking as the 4th most searched destination on our platform. Searches for Singapore have grown by 11% year-on-year, highlighting a strong affinity for this dynamic destination. Reaching the 1 million visitor milestone is a remarkable achievement, and we’re proud to play a role in this journey. At MakeMyTrip, we remain committed to delivering enriching travel experiences for Indians and look forward to deepening our collaboration with the Singapore Tourism Board to drive further growth.”

Li Hongyi, Associate General Manager Market Development, Changi Airport Group, said, “India is Changi Airport’s sixth largest market in terms of passenger traffic and a large part of this is Indian tourists visiting Singapore. Today, there are over 290 weekly flights to 17 Indian cities from Changi, with opportunities for further growth. Changi Airport Group will continue to work closely with the Singapore Tourism Board, airlines, and the travel trade to deepen connectivity to new cities like Surat and Jaipur to spur travel demand between India and Singapore.”

As Singapore approaches 2025, it reaffirms its commitment to providing fresh and exciting experiences for both new and returning visitors. Upcoming attractions include “Harry Potter: Visions of Magic” opening on 22 November 2024, Singapore Art Week in early 2025, the launch of Minion Land at Sentosa, and the inaugural sailing of Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Adventure in December 2025.

 

Dubai Business Events recognises top performers at MICE Star Awards

Dubai Business Events (DBE), part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism and the city’s official convention bureau, hosted the second edition of its MICE Star Awards programme, once again providing a platform to recognise and celebrate the outstanding performance of MICE intermediaries in India.

This follows on from the strong response from the industry to the programme earlier this year, with eight intermediaries rewarded for the role they have played in advocating for Dubai and solidifying its position as a leading business events destination.

The awards were originally introduced earlier this year as part of DBE’s robust commitment to the Indian MICE market, having already built a strong collaborative relationship with intermediaries in the country. Dubai’s popularity as a business events destination continues to be elevated through DBE’s permanent presence in the market, as well as a year-round calendar of inbound sales missions, study missions bringing intermediaries to Dubai, and participation in major trade shows, as well as other activities.

For the new edition, the MICE Star Awards will recognise intermediaries based on their performance during an expanded qualifying period October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2025, with award recipients to be selected based on a comprehensive evaluation process that takes into account both the volume and value contribution of their business to Dubai’s business events and wider tourism ecosystem.

MICE Star Awards First Edition Winners:

Gold
• SOTC Travel Limited
• MakeMyTrip India Pvt Ltd
• Zenith Leisure Holidays Ltd.

Silver
• FCM Travel Solutions Pvt Ltd (I)
• Enrich India
• Citius Holidays Pvt Ltd
• Axplore Travel Plus Pvt Ltd
• Travel Clinic Voyage Private Limited – TCV

 

 

ICICI Bank, MakeMyTrip unveil travel credit card

 

Since last October, Mastercard has been dedicated to creating memorable moments for its cardholders. Through a partnership with ICICI Bank and MakeMyTrip, Mastercard is proud to introduce a new credit card designed to offer priceless experiences in over 210 countries and territories. This card is crafted to meet the needs of the discerning Indian traveller, offering unmatched value and exclusive benefits.

Rajeeth Pillai, Chief of Relationship Management, NPCI, highlighted the unique offerings of the MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank Credit Card, powered by RuPay. The card provides exceptional rewards and benefits tailored for travel enthusiasts. In addition, ICICI Bank customers can link their RuPay credit card to UPI, allowing for secure, seamless transactions across a wide range of online and offline merchants without the need for a physical card.

The co-branded credit card helps cardholders plan their trips with ease by offering unlimited rewards that never expire. Users can earn 6% myCash on hotel bookings, 3% on flights, holidays, and other MakeMyTrip services, and 1% on general retail spending. These rewards are in addition to existing MakeMyTrip discounts. The card also comes with attractive joining and renewal benefits, such as a INR 1,000 voucher and MMTBLACK Gold Membership, which offers added privileges like upgrades and cashback.

In terms of travel perks, the card offers a low forex mark-up of just 0.99% for international transactions and complimentary access to domestic and international airport lounges. Cardholders also enjoy lifestyle benefits like discounts on movie tickets via BookMyShow and Inox, as well as exclusive dining experiences through ICICI Bank’s Culinary Treats program. For MakeMyTrip transactions, the card provides a 3-month no-cost EMI option.

MakeMyTrip, ICICI boost international business travel with discounts

 

As India’s travel preferences shift, premium experiences are becoming increasingly important. According to MakeMyTrip’s recent report, searches for international business class flights have risen by 10% between 2023 and 2024. While traditionally popular on long-haul routes like the USA and UK, this trend is now extending to shorter destinations such as Hong Kong, Japan, Sri Lanka, and Saudi Arabia.

To cater to this growing demand, MakeMyTrip has partnered with 10 leading international airlines, including Singapore Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, and Vistara, offering up to 20% off on business class fares. ICICI Bank cardholders can enjoy an additional INR 10,000 off during the Business Class Fest, which runs from September 27 to October 2.

Saujanya Shrivastava, COO at MakeMyTrip, emphasised the evolving Indian traveller’s desire for premium experiences, stating, “With the Business Class Fest, we aim to make luxury travel more accessible and rewarding.” He also highlighted that the platform is increasingly recognised as the preferred choice for premium travellers, with more initiatives planned for the future.

This initiative follows MakeMyTrip’s launch of a dedicated Business Class Funnel for international flights, offering an immersive and user-friendly booking experience tailored specifically for business travellers. The feature ensures ease of use with refined filters and high-quality visuals, simplifying the process of booking premium flights.