MakeMyTrip is one of the biggest online travel companies in India. It helps people book flights, hotels, holidays, and train tickets.
Founded in 2000, the company started with a simple idea, to make traveling easier for people in India.
Over the years, MakeMyTrip has become a well-known name, and its journey to success is a story of hard work, smart decisions, and adapting to new technologies.
MakeMyTrip Company Highlights
| Startup Name | MakeMyTrip |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Gurgaon, Harayana, India |
| Sector | Travel, Software Development |
| Founder | Deep Kalra, Keyur Joshi, Rajesh Magow, Sachin Bhatia |
| Founded | 2000 |
| Website | www.makemytrip.com |
The Beginning of MakeMyTrip
MakeMyTrip was started by Deep Kalra in 2000. Deep had a dream to change the way people in India booked travel. Before MakeMyTrip, people had to visit travel agents or go to airline offices to buy tickets.
This was time-consuming and not very easy. Deep Kalra saw an opportunity to make travel bookings simple and available online.
At first, MakeMyTrip focused on helping people book flight tickets. The idea was new, but it quickly gained attention.
In the early days, the company faced challenges such as low internet usage in India and people not trusting online payments. Despite these challenges, MakeMyTrip was determined to grow.
Expanding the Business
As the internet became more popular in India, MakeMyTrip saw a huge chance to expand. In 2005, the company began offering more services, such as hotel bookings and holiday packages.
It made travel easier for Indians, whether they were traveling for business or leisure. MakeMyTrip focused on creating a user-friendly website and mobile app so people could easily search and book their travel.
The company also worked hard to build partnerships with airlines, hotels, and other travel services to offer the best prices and deals.
This helped MakeMyTrip become a trusted name in travel bookings. By providing a range of services under one roof, MakeMyTrip became a one-stop solution for travelers.
Adapting to the Changing Market
The Indian travel industry was changing, and MakeMyTrip needed to keep up. In 2006, the company took a big step by listing itself on the NASDAQ stock exchange in the United States.
This move helped MakeMyTrip raise money to grow its business. It also helped the company gain international recognition.
In 2011, MakeMyTrip made a smart decision by acquiring a competitor called “Goibibo.”
This helped the company become even bigger and more competitive in the Indian market. With this acquisition, MakeMyTrip expanded its services and grew its customer base.
Building Trust with Customers
One of the key reasons for MakeMyTrip’s success is its focus on building trust with customers. The company always made sure that its customers were happy.
It provided excellent customer support and made it easy for people to change or cancel bookings when needed. MakeMyTrip also worked to offer the best prices, which made customers feel they were getting value for their money.
In addition to good customer service, MakeMyTrip focused on marketing to reach a larger audience. It used television ads, online advertising, and celebrity endorsements to spread the word about its services.
The company also focused on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to connect with customers and share promotions.
The Role of Technology
Technology has played a major role in MakeMyTrip’s success. The company has always embraced new technologies to improve its services. In the early years, MakeMyTrip had a website where people could search for flights and hotels.
As smartphones became more popular, MakeMyTrip quickly launched a mobile app. This allowed users to book tickets, check prices, and manage their bookings from anywhere at any time.
MakeMyTrip also used artificial intelligence and machine learning to make travel recommendations based on user preferences. For example, the app suggests places to visit or hotels to stay in, based on past travel habits.
This use of technology made it even easier for travelers to plan their trips and get personalized experiences.
Focus on Customer-Centric Services
Over time, MakeMyTrip made its services even more customer friendly. The company introduced features like 24/7 customer support, easy cancellation policies, and simple booking steps.
MakeMyTrip also started offering deals on domestic and international tours, helping people plan entire vacations with ease.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, MakeMyTrip’s customer service was put to the test. Many people needed to cancel or reschedule their travel plans.
MakeMyTrip quickly adapted by offering flexible booking options, and its customer support team worked hard to assist customers during difficult times.
The company’s ability to stay calm and responsive during the pandemic helped build trust and loyalty among customers.
Growing Globally
Although MakeMyTrip started in India, the company has expanded its reach to other countries. It has partnerships with international travel providers, allowing Indian customers to book international flights and hotels.
As more Indians travel abroad, MakeMyTrip has positioned itself as the go-to platform for international travel bookings.
In addition to its work with international travel, MakeMyTrip has also expanded its services into other areas, such as car rentals and bus bookings.
These new services help MakeMyTrip become even more useful for customers who want a complete travel experience.
Challenges Faced by MakeMyTrip
MakeMyTrip’s journey hasn’t always been easy. The company faced challenges such as strong competition from other travel companies, changing market trends, and increasing customer expectations.
In 2018, MakeMyTrip faced a loss due to increased competition and higher marketing costs. However, the company took this as a challenge to improve and adapt. It focused on reducing costs and improving its customer experience, which helped it return to profitability.
The rise of low-cost airlines and online travel agencies also created competition for MakeMyTrip.
However, MakeMyTrip continued to stay ahead by offering competitive prices and maintaining strong relationships with travel partners.
Awards and Achievements
The list of accolades received by MakeMyTrip reflects its commitment to excellence and innovation in the travel industry. Here are some of the awards and recognitions received by the company:
- Great Manager Awards – Companies with Great Manager Award 2022.
- Economic Times – Future Ready Organization Award 2022.
- ET Human Capital Awards – Most Inclusive Companies Index Exemplar 2022.
- Most Inclusive Company Index Study – 100 Best Companies for Women 2022.
- Best Travel Innovator – Travel Distribution World Asia Awards (2012).
- Singapore Airlines – Top Agents Award (2010-2011); Top Passenger Agent (2007-08).
- Malaysia Airlines – Top Agent Award (2007, 2009, 2010).
- Cathay Pacific – Outstanding Performance (2007, 2009).
- Air Mauritius – All India Top Ten Agent/Top North India Sales Award (2006-08).
- British Airways – Outstanding Revenue Contribution (2007-08).
- Lufthansa – Outstanding Performance (2006-07).
- Indian Airlines – Achieving Highest Domestic Passenger Sales (2006-07).
- Kingfisher Airlines – Outstanding Performance (2006-07).
- Jet Airways – Award of Excellence (2005-06).
- Air India – Outstanding Contribution to Passenger Sales (2005-06).
MakeMyTrip FAQs
What is MakeMyTrip?
MakeMyTrip is one of the largest online travel companies in India. It helps people book flights, hotels, holidays, and train tickets.
Who started MakeMyTrip?
MakeMyTrip was started by Deep Kalra in 2000 with the goal of making travel bookings easier for people in India.
How did MakeMyTrip become successful?
MakeMyTrip became successful by offering an easy way for people to book travel services online, growing its business, and adapting to new technologies over the years.
What services does MakeMyTrip offer?
MakeMyTrip offers flight bookings, hotel bookings, holiday packages, and train ticket bookings.
How did MakeMyTrip grow over time?
In 2005, MakeMyTrip expanded to include hotel bookings and holiday packages. The company also made partnerships with airlines and hotels to offer competitive prices.
What role did technology play in MakeMyTrip’s growth?
MakeMyTrip used technology to create a user-friendly website and mobile app. It also used artificial intelligence to offer personalized travel recommendations to users.
What challenges did MakeMyTrip face?
MakeMyTrip faced challenges like competition from other travel companies, changing market trends, and increasing customer expectations.
Has MakeMyTrip expanded globally?
Yes, MakeMyTrip has expanded internationally, allowing Indian customers to book international flights and hotels. It has also added services like car rentals and bus bookings.
What awards has MakeMyTrip won?
MakeMyTrip has won several awards, including the Economic Times – Future Ready Organization Award 2022, Great Manager Awards 2022, and Best Travel Innovator at the Travel Distribution World Asia Awards 2012.