Cracking the Code of Indian Tourism: A Conversation with Deep Kalra of MakeMyTrip
Key Takeaways
- The next two decades belong to India, thanks to a rapidly growing digital infrastructure and an aspiring young generation.
- Travel startups should focus on building authentic brands and delivering exceptional user experiences to win in the hyper-competitive tourism market.
- The Indian travel consumer is evolving rapidly, becoming more comfortable with online bookings and international travel.
Introduction
In a recent podcast, Deep Kalra, founder of MakeMyTrip, shared his insights on the current state of Indian tourism, consumer behavior in the travel sector, and the future of travel startups in India. A pioneer in India's travel industry, Kalra started MakeMyTrip when building a startup was seen as a non-conventional choice, and against all odds, listed it on American stock markets, marking a significant milestone in Indian startup history.
The Future of Indian Tourism
Kalra strongly believes that India's time has come. Factors such as a robust digital infrastructure, an aspiring young generation, and a quickly evolving consumer market make the next two decades extremely promising for India. India's rapidly developing payment infrastructure, growing 5G network, and increased digital accessibility have set the foundation for a significant digital boom in the country.
Building a Successful Travel Startup
According to Kalra, startups within the travel sector need to ensure they deliver a great user experience to stand out in a hyper-competitive industry. He emphasized the need for startups to focus on providing a reliable and trustworthy service to their users. Trust-building is a long-term process, but it's crucial for long-term success in the travel industry as customers appreciate companies they can rely on during their travels.
Understanding the Indian Travel Consumer
Digging into consumer behavior, Kalra mentioned how Indian consumers are not only more comfortable making online bookings but also more willing to spend on travel and experiences than previous generations. The rise of internet accessibility and smartphone proliferation has played major roles in shaping Indian consumer behavior.
He also shared an interesting observation on how Indian travelers are becoming louder and more assertive, driven by a surge in new wealth and the desire to flaunt it. While he acknowledges that this might be an offshoot of consumerism, he encourages the travel industry to adapt and cater to this evolving customer mindset.
Conclusion: Embrace the Change
In conclusion, Kalra advocates for a positive and adaptive approach to the evolving Indian tourism landscape. He believes that travel startups need to stay agile, learn from their interactions with customers, and continuously innovate to meet changing customer needs. As the founder of MakeMyTrip, his words carry weight, and his insights provide valuable pointers for anyone looking to make an impact in the Indian travel industry.