travel startups india

List of Top Travel and Tourism Startups in India

Ashwini , Shilpa sharma

“It will be much more about responsible travel now. We are going to value our freedom a lot more" – Deep Kalra, Founder of MakeMyTrip on impact of Covid on travel industry

The travel and tourism industry is one of the largest industries in India, it's a major driver of economic growth globally. India's tourism industry is experiencing a good period of growth, driven by the flourishing Indian middle class, growth in high spending foreign tourists and coordinated government campaigns to promote 'Incredible India'. But Due to restrictions linked to Covid-19, the number of foreign tourist in India during 2021 decreased to 1.52 million compared to 2.74 million in 2020, dropping by 44.5%, though foreign exchange earnings grew during the same period, as per the India Tourism Statistics 2022 report. In 2019, India saw 10.93 million foreign tourist arrivals, which dropped by 75% in 2020.

In 2021, the travel and tourism industry in India contributed around 178 billion U.S. dollars to the country's GDP. Just a few days ago the Indian government has said that the country's tourism sector will recover to the pre-pandemic level by mid-2024 , they also said that by 2030, the tourism sector will contribute $250 billion to the country's gross domestic product (GDP).According to the recent India Travel Market Report by Phocuswright, the total Indian travel market stood at US$19.1 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach $40.4 billion in 2025, with online penetration reaching 58% in 2025.

The booming IT and outsourcing industry has led to a growing number of business trips made by foreigners to India. After Covid, along with work from home, a new trend has come, i.e., workcation for which travel companies are coming up with very good offers and packages. These plans comprise elegant and peaceful places to work with sightseeing and event sports in the evening. These packages are varied and diverse.

From choosing destinations to connecting with locals and customizing the holiday, the travel startup business in India is looking to add a new dimension to the ever-evolving traveling story.

Here is the list of successful tour and travel startups.

Travel & Tourism Industry in India - Key Highlights

Top Travel and Tourism Startups in India:

Pickyourtrail

Scoutmytrip, thrillophilia, travel triangle, extravelmoney, travel & tourism industry in india - key highlights.

Also Read: Travel and Tourism Industry Trends in 2021: Post-Covid Scenario

Top 20 Travel and Tourism Startups in India

MakeMyTrip is one of the oldest travel startup in India . The inspiration for this startup came to Kalra when he was booking a holiday to Thailand. He realized that the internet could offer more competitive prices by cutting out the middleman. MakeMyTrip's mission is to provide customers a one-stop-shop for all their travel needs by providing online travel services that include flight tickets, domestic and international holiday packages, hotel reservations, rail and bus tickets.

Cleartrip, headquartered in Mumbai , was founded by Stuart Crighton, Hrush Bhatt in the year 2005. The company operates an online travel aggregator website for booking flights and train tickets, hotel reservations, and activities in India and the Middle East countries. Cleartrip is one of the few business travel startups in India. It has offices across India, UAE , Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. Cleartrip is another travel tech company in India, started its services to the Persian Gulf nations of Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt. On June 21, 2018, Cleartrip announced the acquisition of Saudi Arabia-based online travel aggregator (OTA) Flyin.

Clear trip also operates -

• Cleartrip for Business , an online corporate travel management tool. It is a business travel solution for companies
• Agent Box , a travel tool for travel agents.
• Cleartrip Mobile , a travel booking app for consumers.
• Expressway , to let users store traveller profile and payment details securely to make one-click bookings.
• Flexifly, a solution that enables flyers to change their travel date and time and switch flights between airlines without any hefty penalties.

Within few years goibibo became a big payer in travel industry . Goibibo acquired redBus in 2013 to enhance its product offering. The 2016 merger of MMT and Goibibo gave MMT depth of content and an access to a bigger consumer base. It's core value differentiator is the most trusted user experience, be it in terms of quickest search and booking, fastest payments , settlement or refund processes. Along with the usual services travel startups provide, Goibibo became the no 1 travel startup to introduce real travel booking currency named as Go Cash which can be used without any restrictions or limits of use .

In small towns, this start up company has built up good trust and about 48% of new users are associated with tier 2 and tier 3 cities, it has seen a 65% increase in transacting users since January this year and that it has been 'successful' in consolidating its position as the 'second largest' OTA brand in the country.

It is the largest hospitality startup from the list of top hospitality startups in India comprising budget hotels. It is usually one of the first names that pop up in people's minds when they think of cost efficient hotel bookings in India. The startup works in liaison with existing hotels and offers travellers vacant rooms at a cheaper price . OYO Rooms start at a nominal price of Rs. 999. Besides bulk renting hotels, they have also invested in their own properties as well. Click here to know how exactly OYO Rooms work .

The users can also opt for OYO Premium which provides a more-than-basic experience. OYO Rooms are located in the prime areas of the city and therefore they ensure travellers of having the best experience, it is also close to the best sight-seeing destinations and various dining options. The startup also raised an investment of $90 million from Softbank earlier in 2016. In 2019, OYO raised $1.5 Billion in Series F funding led by SoftBank Group , Lightspeed Venture Partners, and Sequoia India .

Hari Ganapathy and Srinath Shankar got the idea of the startup after their experience from a self-planned trip to Europe in 2012.  This platform uses deep tech to let travellers create, customize and book international vacations . Pickyourtrail considers more than 40 factors like duration, travel time, ratings, etc to build personalized itineraries that travellers can further customize & book .

After the trip is booked, travellers can use Pickyourtrail’s app to keep track of bookings and get real-time information on flight and weather updates, restaurant recommendations, and on-trip chat support.

Their goal is to perform best in the tour and travel business when it comes to international trips.

ScoutMyTrip is a road trip planner , It works for all sorts of outings, from short weekend travels to long excursions.

The motive that the duo has been able to solve through their startup is to collate information that is currently very diversified. Basically it is an information portal that makes travel easy and accessible for anyone. The company plans to connect travellers with people who want to travel on any particular vehicle. It will also facilitate customised tour packages.

With artificial intelligence, customers can create an itinerary containing the information necessary for their road trip—gas stations, toilets, restaurants, hotels to stay, and points of interest. The human intelligence aspect brings in the ability to personalize information as per one's needs.

The corporate outdoor and experiential learning model adopted by Thrillophilia in its early days, has proven to be of great significance since it was fairly new concept in India.

Thrillophilia provides you with handpicked adventure travel options. It is best suited for travellers seeking an off-the-beaten-track package for sightseeing, sports, and adventurous activities like water rafting, snorkelling, bungee jumping, and skydiving. The travellers can also curate the best tours and authentic suppliers.

Travel Triangle operates their services with a versatile team of 450+ peopl e. Travel Triangle is operating as an online marketplace model bringing both travellers and trusted & expert travel agents on a common platform. Travel Triangle is a S aaS-based customer relationship management (CRM) platform to help them manage and analyse customer interactions and data.

goMowgli is a travel startup that had its name inspired by the fictional character we all loved growing up –Mowgli from Jungle Book. It has a fleet of buses across different states (using the concept of “hop-off buses”) and the travellers can buy a pass for a fixed number of days – a week or two. It is suitable for solo travellers and backpackers who want to travel without a fixed plan or do not want to get in trouble of booking cabs while traveling the city.

goMowgli claims to be India's first flexible bus network for travellers. Flexible bus network mean is you can catch the bus anytime you want from any place in their network, and get off anytime, at any place.

goMowgli will tell you the exact location of the nearest bus when you switch on the GPS feature on your smartphone. The app is growing in popularity very fast. At present, their revenue generation is basically based on the passes they sell (Rs. 1700/day) . And their marketing is mainly based on social media and word of mouth.

Tripoto is a Delhi-based startup founded by Anirudh Gupta and Michael Lyngdoh and one of the best travel startups in India. It allows users to create itineraries for their future trips that they can also share with other travelers. They can share their travel experiences, related content and pictures, itineraries, maps, stories, and reviews.

The startup has one of the largest communities of travellers in the world where people get a chance to share their travel experiences, discover unique trips and travel itineraries by other travelers and connect with them around the world through the website. Tripoto’s aim is to become the largest source of crowd-sourced travel content platforms in the world by enabling users to share their credible travel information.

ExTravelMoney is an online aggregator and marketplace for forex services that bring the hyperlocal eCommerce model to foreign exchange business and is helping users save money on currency exchange and money transfer from and to abroad. Users can use this platform to search for banks and money changers near them who offer these forex services. They can also compare the exchange rates and total cost of a forex service including the services fees, tax charges, even the rating of each forex store they are searching for.

The users can therefore make an informed decision based on this knowledge and book the cheapest and the best forex services near them directly from their app ExTravelMoney. If you are traveling in a foreign country, foreign exchange is an important component to plan. It isn’t easy to purchase forex due to the time and the hassle it takes in finding the best exchange rates. The website provides travelers with forex dealers across the country to bring them the best available exchange rate in the market and all they need to do is log in to their website, state their forex requirement, and then it connects you to the nearest forex dealer.

Nearify is an app founded by Mayank Kumar, Saurav Singh and Vivek Srivastava in 2012 that provides users with updated information on events that are happening around them. Like information on the city, major tourist attractions, and fairs & festivals happening in the area. All the user needs to do is to key in the name of the city to find listings of meet-ups, workshops, music concerts, and cultural hangout places in their close proximity.

It is best suited for travelers who want to know what’s happening in other locations of the place they are traveling to and wish to plan their itinerary and also don’t want to miss out on the social events happening in nearby cities or locations.

TripHobo is a Pune-based travel startup that has an innovative new travel platform where the collective effort of their dedicated team of travel enthusiasts. They are trying to transform its user's travel experience by making travel more sharable and personally tailored. The platform lets you connect with travel buddies around the world and hence makes your experience even richer and memorable.

TripHobo is a vacation planning website that is also the world’s leading vacation planning platform on which you can plan trips to about 150,000 destinations worldwide. It lets users discover great itineraries created by travellers just like them.

It's an online travel platform for travellers to explore travel destinations, plan and book their trips in advance. It allows users to dynamically create self-serviced customized travel packages after receiving inquiries from clients.

The users can also compare reviews and plan their activities and sightseeing for their trips, it also involves native wholesale suppliers who are responsible for the operational aspects of the business of your trip that includes ground handling and fulfillment. iTraveller has created more than 2 lakh trips featuring over 20 travel destinations across the globe and more than 60 native wholesale suppliers from across these destinations. The brand of iTraveller is now changed to Lastminute.

The mobile marketplace connects travellers with the local people in the city you are traveling to. These people are called “Sherpas” and are chosen after a thorough background check and verified authenticity. They offer numerous itineraries, popularly known as “micro tours”, from sightseeing, photography tours, and heritage walks and food walks to explore a location from the eyes of a local guide – Sherpa.

Sherpas can be from any profession and list experiences that will cost you less than Rs. 3,000 per participant. This is a unique feature that SeekSherpa offers, it helps you in traveling better by interacting with the residents of the place you are seeking to explore. This way, your trip is better, well experienced, and more memorable.

SOTC India is a leading travel and tourism company active across various travel segments including Leisure Travel, Incentive Travel and Business Travel . It is one of the leaders in segments, namely Escorted Group Tours, Customized Holidays,  and Incentive Travel amongst others. SOTC offers customized holidays around the world, Corporate Tours and provides packages for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events) related travel needs.

Travelling is one of the most exciting and important parts of our life. It teaches us a lot. These startups in the tourism industry in India are helping us to make our journey better, safer, and easier. If we have missed out on any travel startup in India, do let us know in the comments.

FAQs on Travel Startups in India

How to start a travel business in india or how to start a travel company in india.

Best tips to start a travel business in India or a travel company in India:

• Step 1: Prepare a plan for your travel business.
• Step 2: Brand your travel business along with dealing in legal formalities.
• Step 3: Manage your funding strategy.
• Step 4: Pick a great location and hire employees.

How to start an online travel agency in India?

The list of requirements to start an online travel agency in India :

• Make a thorough research on your competitors and the market.
• Find your own niche in the travel industry.
• Build your team.
• Take a call on a travel website or a travel software, or both.
• Make a strategy for marketing.
• Target a location.

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TRAVEL & HOSPITALITY

Top 10 Innovative Travel Tech Startups in India

• Travel & Hospitality

Technology has changed the travel industry dramatically. We can now plan entire vacations and book hotel rooms, flights, sightseeing tours, and other activities from our smartphones. Trips are now more enjoyable and convenient. We frequently discuss travel technology due to the enormous growth of the tourism sector.

Let’s dive into what travel technology is, followed by India’s top 10 innovative travel tech startups.

What Is Travel Technology?

Travel tech assists users in planning travel. It makes travelling more convenient. It streamlines the back-office operations of travel companies and enables customers to book online without a travel agent.

Until a few years ago, travel agencies used to plan trips for their clients, including booking lodging, transportation, and other travel-related services. But, with the advancement of technology in the travel sector, most of these tasks have become online. Customers can organize their travel plans themselves, or agencies can do it on their behalf using these platforms.

Let’s look at the top travel platforms using innovative technology to make travelling easier for customers.

Here’s a quick summary:

Read on to know more about the investors in these travel startups, their USP, and more.

1. Thomas Cook India

Website: https://www.thomascook.in

Address : 11th & 13th Flr, Marathon Future, NM Joshi Marg, Lower, BDD Chawl, Lower Parel, Mumbai, India

Founded on : 1881

Founders : Thomas Cook

Funding : Publicly traded

Employees : 8,388

About : Started in the 1880s, Thomas Cook India is one of the oldest travel agencies. It has a massive network of offices allowing both business and leisure travel. With Thomas Cook, customers get forex, visa, and passport services as well.

USP : Thomas Cook India provides comprehensive services when it comes to travel. It also offers personalized holiday packages.

2. Club Mahindra Holidays and Resort

Website : https://www.clubmahindra.com/

Address : 2nd floor, Mahindra Towers, 17/18, Pattullos Rd, Mount Road, Express Estate, Royapettah, Chennai

Founded on : 1996

Founders : Arun Nanda

Employees : 6,856

About : Club Mahindra Holidays and Resort, also known as Club Mahindra Holidays, provides hospitality services. It is one of the oldest companies in the Travel and Leisure sector, operating since 1996. The Club Mahindra Experience allows access to more than 100 resorts in India and around the globe, opening a world of opportunities.

The company also plans to expand its network with partner hotels over the next couple of years.

USP : Club Mahindra Holidays has a rich online presence, allowing users to get virtual tours of their resorts before visiting them.

Website : https://www.nearbuy.com/

Address : Mezzanine Floor, Pushp Vihar Commercial Complex, LSC Madangir, Saket, New Delhi

Founded on : 2011

Founders : Ravi Shankar, Snehesh Mitra

Funding : $37.2M

Investors : Sequoia Capital India, BlackSoil

Employees : 522

About : NearBuy is an online platform through which local businesses and consumers can interact with one another. The company offers discounts and coupons on products for men and women, home and kitchen, travel and baggage, sports and fitness, health care, entertainment, automobiles, stationery, and more.

USP : NearBuy makes it easier for travelling individuals to discover local experiences. The brand lists restaurants, salons, gyms, grocery stores and more.

Website: https://www.oyorooms.com

Address : Golf Course Ext Rd, Sector 69, Gurugram

Founded on : 2013

Founders : Ritesh Agarwal

Funding : raised a total of $4B in funding over 19 rounds

Investors : Qatar Insurance Company, Microsoft, Värde Partners, Citadel, Red Lions Capital, SoftBank Vision Fund, Hindustan Media Venture, Ritesh Agarwal, SoftBank, Airbnb

Employees : 14,024 employees

About : OYO Rooms runs an online platform that facilitates the listing and booking of lodging options like hotels, residences, and apartments. It offers an application with a range of digital tools to support consumers at every step of their journey, including discovery, easy booking, pre-stay assistance, cancellations, digital check-ins, in-stay and post-stay services, and more.

USP : OYO allows travelling individuals to easily get access to rooms. It is a great alternative to AirBnB, particularly for those looking for budget options during travels.

5. TravelTriangle

Website: https://traveltriangle.com

Address : Plot no. 29, 3rd & 4th Floor Dynamic House, Maruti Industrial Complex, Sector 18, Gurugram

Founders : Prabhat Gupta

Funding : $ 47.9m (raised $13m almost 3 years ago)

Investors : Fundamentum, KB Global Platform Fund, SAIF Partners, RB Investments, Bessemer Venture Partners

Employees : 406

About : TravelTriangle enables travellers to book a custom vacation package with a nearby travel agent. The company links customers with local professionals who provide affordable options. It also enables them to bargain prices with nearby travel organizers through interactive remarks.

USP : TravelTriangle, through its network of partners, allows travelers to get personalized holiday experiences at a relatively lower cost.

6. Blowhorn

Website : https://blowhorn.com/

Address : 511, 8th cross, JP Nagar 3rd Phase, Bengaluru, Karnataka

Founded on : 2014

Founders : Mithun Srivatsa, Nikhil Shivaprasad

Funding : raised a total of $8.8M in funding over 7 rounds

Investors : Draper Associates, Symphony International Holdings, Chiratae Ventures, Trifecta Capital Advisors, Rajesh Mane, Venture Catalysts, Michael & Susan Dell Foundations, James Lee Sorenson

Employees : 414

About : Blowhorn runs an online last-mile logistics marketplace. Through its website and smartphone app, the company connects buyers looking to move products swiftly and easily with owners of mini trucks. While blowhorn mainly operates as an intra-city logistics company, they also have programs to train unemployed youths.

USP : Blowhorn is presently the leading startup that allows customers to move goods from one gram to one metric ton.

7. MakeMyTrip

Website : https://www.makemytrip.com/

Address : DLF Building No. 5 Tower B, DLF Cyber City, DLF Phase 2, Sector 25, Gurugram

Founded on : 2000

Founders : Rajesh Magow

Funding : Publicly Traded

Employees : 3,256

About : MakeMyTrip offers online travel services, including airline tickets, domestic and international holiday packages, hotel bookings, and rail and bus tickets.

As of March 31, 2018, they have counters at four of India’s major airports, over 30 franchisee-owned travel stores in 28 cities, and 14 company-owned travel stores in 14 cities. Among the locations where MakeMyTrip has offices are New York, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Phuket, Bangkok, and Dubai.

In 2017, the business joined hands with Redbus and Goibibo to create one of India’s most-known travel agencies. This travel firm has over 20 million unique customers because they enable customers to study and plan their travels using a variety of products and deals.

USP : MakeMyTrip is one of the most popular travel tech companies in India, providing easy access to ticketing services. They also offer a wide range of hotels and holiday experiences across multiple cities.

Website: https://www.yatra.com/

Address: 748, Sec – 39 near Unitech cyber park, Gurugram

Founded on : 2006

Founders : Dhruv Shringi, Manish Amin, Sabina Chopra

Funding : Publicly funded

Employees : 1,006

About : Yatra.com started as a search engine for travel. It was established in 2006 to serve as an online centre for your travel destinations. The business offers a range of services, such as airline ticketing, vacation packages, and accommodation reservations for corporate and private clients. The website is very user-friendly, and you can utilize several coupons and discounts to cut the cost of your reservations. Yatra.com also lists local experiences as shopping and heritage walk.

USP : It is the only online travel agency that lets customers book flights up to three hours before departure.

Website: https://www.ixigo.com/

Address : 2nd floor, Veritas Building, Behind Ibis Hotel, Golf Course Road, DLF Phase 5, Sector 53, Bengaluru

Founders : Aloke Bajpai, Dharmendra Yashovardhan, Rajnish Kumar

Funding : raised a total of $72M in funding over 7 rounds

Investors : Trifecta Capital Advisors, Lavanya Ashok, IE Venture Fund, GIC, Malabar India Fund, Orios Venture Partners, Bay Capital, India Acorn Fund, Sequoia Capital India, Fosun RZ Capital

Employees : 329

About : Ixigo.com offers travel research and planning services. The business has effectively entered the mobile app market in addition to being a reliable source of travel information and ticket purchases. Among other apps, the ixigo trains app has dominated the market.

Ixigo.com began as a travel meta-search engine before releasing mobile apps and content, and this is now one of their key components. Simply put, their travel meta search engine assists you in selecting the most affordable options for flights, lodging, trains, and buses.

Since ixigo.com does not charge for recommending airline and hotel deals, for example, it is not an online travel agency. By clicking on the deal of their choice, users are taken to the website of the business providing that particular deal.

USP : Ixigo offers the most reliable ticket booking experience through their app. The app also provides extensive details regarding trains and it one of the most downloaded apps for Indian trains.

10. EaseMyTrip

Website: https://www.easemytrip.com/

Address: Patparganj Industrial Area, Patparganj, Delhi

Founded on : 2008

Founders : Nishant Pitti, Prashant Pitti, Rikant Pitti

Employees : 588

About : EaseMyTrip is an online travel company with zero convenience fees. They offer reductions on transportation services like hotels, buses, taxis, and vacation packages frequently. With more than 8.81 million customers, the organization has established a presence through its agent network, offices, and franchisees in every pin code.

EaseMyTrip also has a sizable B2B network with 10,477 corporate clients and 52,752 registered travel agent partners. Apart from India, the company has international offices in Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom.

USP : EaseMyTrip provides discounted deals on travel ticket and hotel bookings.

Our Research Methodology

India has been a popular travel destination for both local and international travellers. Travel tech makes travelling comfortable, but safety and trust are also crucial. The criteria for listing these travel tech startups include:

• Established and reputed brands:  Brands like Thomas Cook or Club Mahindra have been operating in the country for a long time. These brands and their partners have established themselves as trustworthy players in this industry, ensuring safe and comfortable travels.
• Ease of access:  Brands like ixigo, MakeMyTrip and Yatra.com have enabled laymen to plan travel and get tickets and hotel reservations done in minutes. They do not need to rely on agents for travel plans.
• Personalized experiences : Finally, travel experiences should be personalized. Brands like TravelTriangle, OYO, and NearBuy allow travellers to experience places independently without the help of others. Brands like Blowhorn can help with logistics, even in rural areas, allowing people longer stays.

If you’re into the travel business and looking for tools to automate your marketing, sales, and operations, check out LeadSquared’s Travel CRM .

You can also book a free consultation with one of our experts who have helped companies like MakeMyTrip expand their sales ops.

Rangan is a researcher currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Machine Learning for Healthcare. He got a Master's and a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and Engineering. He's passionate about all things computers, particularly software development, and loves cycling.

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Top 20 Travel and Hospitality Startups Revolutionizing the Industry in India

The travel and hospitality industry in India has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years, driven by innovative startups that are redefining the way we explore, book, and experience travel. These startups have harnessed the power of technology, personalized services, and unique business models to revolutionize the guest experience and reshape the industry landscape.

In this analysis, we will delve into the top 20 travel and hospitality startups in India, exploring their innovative strategies, disruptive technologies, and the impact they have had on the industry. We will examine how these startups have reimagined convenience, personalization, and seamless experiences for travelers, enabling them to create unforgettable memories.

These startups have introduced a wide range of services, from online travel booking platforms and curated itineraries to car rentals, adventure activities, and accommodation options. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies, data analytics, and user-centric approaches, these startups have empowered travelers with greater control and customization over their journeys.

Through their unique value propositions, these startups have disrupted traditional travel paradigms and provided travelers with access to a vast array of options, competitive pricing, and real-time information. They have created platforms where travelers can connect with local experts, fellow enthusiasts, and fellow travelers, enhancing the overall travel experience.

However, along with their potential for growth and disruption, these startups also face challenges such as intense competition, regulatory compliance, ensuring quality standards, and building trust among consumers. Overcoming these challenges will be crucial for their continued success and sustainable growth.

Founder Name : Ritesh Agarwal

Established Year : 2013

CEO : Ritesh Agarwal

Impact : OYO Rooms has revolutionized the budget hotel segment in India, offering affordable and standardized accommodations to travelers across various cities. It has significantly expanded the availability of quality hotel rooms and disrupted traditional hotel booking practices.

Founder Name : Deep Kalra

Established Year : 2000

CEO : Rajesh Magow

Impact : MakeMyTrip is a leading online travel company that has transformed the way Indians plan and book their travel arrangements. It offers comprehensive travel services, including flight bookings, hotel reservations, holiday packages, and more, providing convenience and personalized travel experiences.

Founder Name : Hrush Bhatt, Stuart Crighton, Matthew Spacie

Established Year : 2006

CEO : Stuart Crighton

Impact : Cleartrip is an online travel platform known for its user-friendly interface and seamless booking experiences. It has simplified the process of flight, hotel, and train bookings, making travel planning hassle-free for users across India.

Founder Name : Ashish Kashyap

Established Year : 2007

CEO : Nishant Pitti

Impact : Goibibo is a popular online travel booking platform that offers a wide range of travel services, including flights, hotels, buses, and holiday packages. It has gained prominence by providing competitive pricing, discounts, and loyalty programs to travelers.

Founder Name : Dhruv Shringi, Manish Amin, Sabina Chopra

CEO : Dhruv Shringi

Impact : Yatra.com is an online travel agency that has transformed the way Indians plan and book their travel. With its extensive network and offerings, including flights, hotels, train bookings, and holiday packages, Yatra.com has become a trusted platform for travelers.

Treebo Hotels

Founder Name : Sidharth Gupta, Rahul Chaudhary, Kadam Jeet Jain

Established Year : 2015

CEO : Sidharth Gupta

Impact: Treebo Hotels is a tech-enabled budget hotel chain that focuses on providing quality accommodations at affordable prices. It has redefined the budget hotel segment with its standardized amenities, customer-centric approach, and seamless booking experiences.

Airbnb India

Founder Name : Brian Chesky, Joe Gebbia, Nathan Blecharczyk

Established Year : 2008

CEO : Brian Chesky

Impact: Airbnb has transformed the way people travel by offering unique and personalized accommodations worldwide. In India, Airbnb has provided travelers with a wide range of options, including homestays, apartments, and villas, providing authentic and local experiences.

TravelTriangle

Founder Name : Sankalp Agarwal, Sanchit Garg, Prabhat Gupta

Established Year : 2011

CEO : Sankalp Agarwal

Impact : TravelTriangle is an online marketplace that connects travelers with local travel agents to customize and book their travel itineraries. It has simplified the process of trip planning, providing personalized experiences and enabling travelers to discover offbeat destinations.

Founder Name : Aloke Bajpai, Rajnish Kumar

CEO : Aloke Bajpai

Impact : ixigo is a travel search engine that aggregates and compares prices across various travel platforms, helping users find the best deals on flights, hotels, and travel packages. It has empowered travelers with comprehensive information and simplified travel planning.

Trivago India

Founder Name : Rolf Schrömgens, Peter Vinnemeier, Stephan Stubner

Established Year : 2005

CEO : Axel Hefer

Impact : Trivago India is a hotel search platform that allows users to compare hotel prices, read reviews, and make informed decisions. It has transformed the way travelers find and book hotels, providing transparency and options to suit their preferences and budgets.

Impact : Ixigo is a travel search and planning platform that offers a wide range of services, including flight and hotel bookings, train reservations, bus ticketing, and travel recommendations. It has simplified travel planning by providing comprehensive information, real-time updates, and personalized recommendations to enhance the overall travel experience for users.

Founder Name : Greg Moran, David Back

CEO : Greg Moran

Impact : Zoomcar is India’s leading self-drive car rental platform that allows users to rent vehicles on an hourly, daily, or monthly basis. It has transformed the way people travel within cities, providing a convenient and flexible alternative to traditional car ownership.

Founder Name : Bhavish Aggarwal, Ankit Bhati

Established Year : 2010

CEO : Bhavish Aggarwal

Impact : Ola Cabs is India’s largest ride-hailing platform that has disrupted the way people commute. It offers a variety of transportation options, including taxis, auto-rickshaws, and two-wheelers, providing convenient and reliable rides to millions of users across the country.

Founder Name : Ferry Unardi, Derianto Kusuma, Albert Zhang, Henry Hendrawan

Established Year : 2012

CEO : Hendrik Susanto

Impact : Traveloka is a leading online travel booking platform that offers a wide range of services, including flights, hotels, and activities. It has gained popularity in India by providing competitive pricing, extensive options, and user-friendly interfaces for travelers.

Founder Name : Adarsh Manpuria, Vaibhav Aggarwal

Established Year : 2014

CEO : Vaibhav Aggarwal

Impact : FabHotels is a technology-driven budget hotel chain that focuses on providing affordable and standardized accommodations. It has redefined the budget hotel segment by ensuring quality stays and seamless experiences for travelers.

Founder Name : Anirudh Gupta, Michael Lyngdoh

CEO : Anirudh Gupta

Impact : Tripoto is a travel community and content platform that enables travelers to discover, plan, and share their travel experiences. It has empowered travelers with a vast collection of travel itineraries, recommendations, and insights, making trip planning and exploration more accessible and enjoyable.

Savaari Car Rentals

Founder Name : Gaurav Aggarwal, Ashok Kumar

CEO : Gaurav Aggarwal

Impact : Savaari Car Rentals is a car rental service that offers outstation and local taxi services in India. It has simplified the process of renting a car for outstation travel, providing reliable and comfortable transportation options.

Founder Name : Charles Du, Aditya Chaturvedi, Peihuan Wu

CEO : Charles Du

Impact : Tripnary is a travel inspiration and planning app that helps users discover destinations based on their preferences and budget. It has made trip planning more interactive and engaging, providing users with a visual exploration of travel possibilities.

Founder Name : Ameya Sahasrabudhe, Rahul Singh

CEO : Ameya Sahasrabudhe

Impact : Ithaka is a personalized travel planning platform that connects users with travel experts to curate customized itineraries. It aims to provide authentic and immersive travel experiences by leveraging local expertise and recommendations.

Thrillophilia

Founder Name : Abhishek Daga

Established Year : 2009

CEO : Abhishek Daga

Impact : Thrillophilia is an online platform that offers a wide range of adventure activities, tours, and experiences across India. It has contributed to the growth of adventure tourism in the country, providing travelers with unique and thrilling experiences.

These top 20 travel and hospitality startups in India have made significant strides in redefining the guest experience. Through their innovative strategies, disruptive technologies, and customer-centric approaches, they have reshaped the way people travel, providing convenience, personalization, and seamless experiences. However, these startups also face challenges such as intense competition, regulatory compliance, building customer trust, and optimizing operations. Despite these challenges, their potential for growth and disruption remains high, as they continue to drive innovation and transform the travel and hospitality industry in India.

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Your 2024 Bucket List Sorted: 6 Travel Startups for Amazing Experiential Getaways

Disrupting India's tourism sector, these 6 experiential travel startups are perfect for those looking for out-of-the-box vacation ideas.

1. Tentgram 

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2. Planet Trotter 

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3. Curtain Call Adventures 

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4. Map My Stories 

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Started With Ready-to-Cook Nutritious Meals For Her Daughter, Mom’s Startup Earns Rs 6 Crore

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Indian travel tech startups in focus as tourism bounces back

Business, leisure travel picking up in wake of COVID-19 pandemic

NEW DELHI -- Venture capital firms are looking to drive the expansion plans of travel tech startups in India, as business and leisure travel picks up across the globe with the easing of the coronavirus pandemic.

Investors betting big on the sector this year include marquee names such as Nexus Venture Partners, Matrix Partners and Tiger Global.

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18 Companies & Startups Revitalizing Travel in 2024

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The travel industry was one of the hardest hit industries during the pandemic.

In 2023, global tourism recovered, jumping back to  84% of pre-pandemic levels . However, the industry as a whole isn't expected to recover until 2027 .

Despite that, some travel startups are still growing exponentially.

Check out this list of companies that are looking to revitalize the travel industry in 2024 and beyond.

1. TravelPerk

5-year search growth : 270%

Search growth status : Exploding

Year founded : 2015

Location : Barcelona, Spain

Funding : $530.3M (Series Unknown)

What they do : TravelPerk is a travel management platform designed to simplify business travel. It offers a centralized platform for booking, managing, and analyzing business travel, with features such as real-time booking, expense management, and travel policy enforcement. The company aims to reduce the time and cost associated with business travel while providing a seamless and enjoyable experience for travelers.

2. SafetyWing

5-year search growth : 1,550%

Year founded : 2017

Location : Palo Alto, California

Funding : $47.1M (Series B)

What they do : SafetyWing is an insurtech company that focuses on digital nomads. Their flagship "Nomad Insurance" is accepted across several different countries (ideal for travel). SafetyWing also offers a B2B "Remote Health" product that provides coverage for remote teams.

5-year search growth : 99x+

Year founded : 2019

Location : Singapore, Singapore

Funding : $67.3M (Series B)

What they do : Airalo is an alternative to using multiple SIM cards while traveling. Specifically, the company offers over 190 affordable "eSIMs" that can be switched over with a few clicks. eSIMs aren't supported by all smartphones. But are becoming an increasingly-common feature in newer models. The SIM company recently raised $60 million in their most recent series B funding found.

4. Roadsurfer

5-year search growth : 1,360%

Location : Bayern, Germany

Funding : $33.9M (Series Unknown)

What they do : Roadsurfer rents out customized camper vans in 13 countries in Europe. Besides the core rental service, the startup also offers a number of optional add-ons for each trip, like kitchen cutlery. Each plan also includes an insurance policy.

5. YouLi (YouLive to Travel)

5-year search growth : 41%

Search growth status : Peaked

Year founded : 2016

Location : Melbourne, Australia

Funding : $200K (Angel)

What they do : YouLi is an all-in-one travel management software for organizing group trips and company retreats. The software includes a number templates for different types of travel itineraries. The software also has a member's area that travelers can use to manage and pay for their trips.

6. PickYourTrail

5-year search growth : 188%

Search growth status : Regular

Year founded : 2014

Location : Chennai, India

Funding : $3M (Series Unknown)

What they do : PickYourTrail is a platform for booking entire trips online (including flight, road transportation and lodging). The startup reports that 46,000 people have used the service to date.

5-year search growth : 400%

Location : New York, NY

Funding : Undisclosed

What they do : Tracki is a travel tech startup that provides real-time GPS tracking solutions for individuals, families, and businesses. Their products range from portable GPS trackers to asset trackers and pet trackers, which can be easily monitored through their mobile app or web platform.

8. Very Local Trip

5-year search growth : 475%

What they do : Very Local Trip connects travelers with local tour guides. In other words, the startup is a focused version of Airbnb's "Experiences" feature.

5-year search growth : 4,900%

Year founded : 2018

Location : Madrid, Spain

Funding : $200.6K (Seed)

What they do : Holafly is an eSIM startup that offers international data plans for travelers. The company partners with local providers in different countries and offers unlimited data plans for a fixed time period. Currently, the startup operates in 160+ countries with 1 million customers worldwide. 

5-year search growth : 21%

Location : New York, New York

Funding : $181M (Series D)

What they do : Away is a DTC travel brand. Often called the “Warby Parker for suitcases,” the company keeps overhead costs low by selling direct-to-consumer. Away's product line includes sleep masks, travel pillows and compression socks.

5-year search growth : 231%

Location : Denver, Colorado

What they do : GOTRAX is an electric scooter company that provides affordable and eco-friendly transportation solutions for urban dwellers. With a range of electric scooters for adults and kids, GOTRAX offers a convenient and cost-effective way to navigate through busy city streets.

12. Lodgify

Year founded : 2012

Funding : $36.6M (Series B)

What they do : Lodgify develops software that help property owners manage their vacation rental properties. The all-in-one website includes features to manage bookings, accept reservations, and synchronize across different platforms, including Airbnb, Vrbo, and Expedia.

13. Bobobox

5-year search growth : 325%

Location : Badung, Indonesia

Funding : $13M (Series A)

What they do : Bobobox is a technology-based hospitality startup that provides affordable and accessible capsule hotels for travelers in Indonesia. The company utilizes an app-based platform that allows customers to book and manage their stays, as well as access various hotel amenities and services. Bobobox aims to revolutionize the hospitality industry in Indonesia by offering affordable and convenient lodging options that cater to the needs of modern travelers.

5-year search growth : 6%

Location : Bucharest, Romania

Funding : $1.8M (Seed)

What they do : Questo is a mobile app for iPhone and Android that gamifies city exploration. Users embark on "quests" in order discover interesting spots and learn about local lore. Each quest is designed by a local "creator". The app currently offers quests in over 100 cities.

15. Bespoke

5-year search growth : 39%

Location : Tokyo, Japan

Funding : $2.5M (Series B)

What they do : Bespoke has developed an AI-powered chatbot designed for multilingual guest services. Their software provides hotel guests with answers to hotel-specific questions, local recommendations, and restaurant reservations. Bespoke was used by the Japanese government during COVID-19 to communicate critical health and safety updates to residents and travelers.

16. Tailos (Formerly Maidbot)

5-year search growth : 340%

Location : Austin, Texas

Funding : $50K (Series B)

What they do : Tailos , formerly Maidbot, manufacturers a housekeeping robot (named Rosie) designed to clean hotels and commercial buildings. Rosie takes on "dull, dirty, and dangerous tasks", in order to reduce injuries to staff while increasing productivity and consistency.

17. TasteAtlas

5-year search growth : 375%

Location : Zagreb, Croatia

What they do : TasteAtlas is a food and travel startup that provides a comprehensive guide to traditional dishes, drinks, and ingredients from all over the world. The platform offers a database of authentic food recommendations and local restaurants to help travelers discover new cuisines and experiences. Additionally, TasteAtlas allows users to create their own food maps and share their culinary discoveries with others.

18. Roame Travel

5-year search growth : 2,300%

Search growth status : Exploding 

Year founded : 2023

Location : San Francisco, California

What they do : Roame is a free award travel search engine that finds available flights that qualify for credit card points and miles redemption. Currently, Roame provides search results for 16 airline loyalty programs and 200 airlines . Users can upgrade to a premium membership to access the SkyView feature, a search function that finds flights within a 90-day search window. 

That wraps up our list of travel startups growing despite the hardships of the pandemic.

The trend away from traditional hotels and towards short-term rental properties, RVs, and campsites accelerated this year as more people work remotely and seek a change of scenery.

There is also a notable shift towards AI and automation, as hotels seek to cut costs and increase efficiency.

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10 Best Travel Startups In India

The tourism industry in India is changing, and creative entrepreneurs leading the charge are revolutionizing how we see the nation. This article explores the world of travel entrepreneurship by highlighting the leading Indian travel companies that are transforming the way we book, organize, and enjoy travel. These entrepreneurs exemplify the spirit of adventure with their cutting-edge digital platforms that streamline travel plans and their distinctive businesses that handpick unusual locations.

Come along as we discover the “ Best Travel Startups In India ”, their contributions to the tourism sector, and the influence they are having on both Indians and visitors from across the world set off on life-changing journeys through the varied landscapes of this dynamic country. 

Best Travel Startups In India:

1. oyo rooms.

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With Oyo Rooms, you can wave goodbye to pricey hotels and uncertainties. By collaborating with already-established hotels, Oyo provides affordable prices for available rooms, ensuring that you receive value for your money. Oyo, a travel company in India founded by 21-year-old Ritesh Agarwal, has led the way in venture capital financing. By revolutionizing the lodging alternatives, Oyo guarantees quality and affordability for visitors from all across the country.

2. The Unhotel Co

The Unhotel Co was founded in 2016 and offers services to tourists looking for more than your average holiday. This distinctive platform offers more than just customized vacations; it also offers unusual lodging, out-of-the-ordinary excursions, hikes, and immersive events. It offers high-end domestic clients and modern international tourists the chance to personalize their travel experiences with unique touches. Offering a unique combination of specially selected activities and out-of-the-ordinary lodging, The Unhotel Co. makes sure that every trip is more than simply a vacation—rather, it’s a customized and enlightening experience for those who have an eye for the unusual.

3. Travel Triangle

Travel Triangle acts as a conduit between international tourists and a professional, local network of travel brokers. Travelers may select, personalize, and reserve custom-made vacation packages that best fit their interests thanks to this personalized approach. Establishing its own office in the US is part of the company’s expansion, which highlights its growth. At the moment, Travel Triangle guides more than 200,000 content travelers yearly, demonstrating its ability to help individuals all around the world have interesting and delightful travel experiences.

4. goMowgli

GoMowgli, which introduced the novel idea of hop-on-hop-off buses, has completely changed how people travel between different states. Travelers may easily acquire a pass for a predetermined number of days with a fleet of buses. This idea, which was previously exclusive to the West, frees tourists from strict schedules. It gives individuals the flexibility to travel without being restricted by set schedules by allowing them to board a bus and get off at any location. With goMowgli’s approach, travelers may now travel with flexibility and spontaneity, allowing them to customize their itinerary as they go.

5. SeekSherpa

Introducing SeekSherpa, a unique platform that connects you with locals in the place you are visiting. The organization employs these experienced “sherpas”—who provide a variety of itineraries, such as history walks, photographic excursions, and sightseeing—after conducting thorough background checks. SeekSherpa provides a distinctive and engaging experience, catering to tourists who enjoy interacting with locals. SeekSherpa improves your experience by offering real insights and connections through dependable local guides, whether you’re uncovering a city’s hidden treasures or learning about its cultural mosaic.

6. BYond Travel

BYond Travel is a trailblazing firm with headquarters in Bangalore that offers more than 100 incredible travel experiences in 40 different destinations. The platform, which was founded by Vikram Ahuja, provides a variety of amazing experiences, such as deep-sea diving, houseboat excursions, and wildlife expeditions. By offering carefully selected experiences that go beyond traditional tourism, Beyond Travel enables visitors to see the globe in novel ways. Beyond Travel distinguishes itself as a portal to a world of unique and rewarding travel experiences with its dedication to providing outstanding and immersive vacations.

Using the combined power of travel and mobile technologies, Trip38 improves the customer experience by providing personalized information as soon as your reservation is confirmed. Trip38, a travel technology solution provider, puts mobile users’ navigation and destination discovery first. With its global operations, the platform guarantees instant access to local content, independent of the booking method or location. Trip38 is dedicated to providing travelers with a dynamic and all-inclusive tool for real-time exploration and engagement with their selected locations through the seamless integration of mobile capabilities with travel.

The unique and innovative travel experiences that Routofy, an online travel platform, offers its consumers make it stand out. The software gives customers a single travel plan for their trip by seamlessly integrating buses, trains, taxis, and flights. Travelers may choose ‘how to reach’ any place they choose by using Routofy’s route-planning services, which let users choose routes based on availability, cost, and length. Routofy simplifies the process of organizing and carrying out multi-modal travels, transforming the travel experience with an emphasis on convenience and all-inclusive travel solutions.

9. Tripvillas

Tripvillas is a cutting-edge web platform that is revolutionizing vacation accommodations. It was introduced by Roshan D’Silva in late 2009. Tripvillas specializes in reserving vacation rentals and homestays, as opposed to conventional hotels and resorts. Large, roomy family houses in scenic settings are available to travelers, offering a distinctive and customized overnight experience. The idea for the platform originated with Roshan, who wanted to provide homeowners with an easy way to display their homes online so that potential guests could get in touch and make reservations. With its emphasis on well-chosen and cozy lodging, Tripvillas is changing the way travelers view their vacation rentals.

10. Tripoto

Tripoto is a firm with its headquarters in Delhi that allows customers to create custom itineraries for their next travels. The goal of the website is to help people plan their travels by utilizing tips and ideas from other travelers. Tripoto not only reduces the stress and worry related to vacation preparation by offering a forum for recommendations and shared experiences, but it also introduces users to fascinating places they may not have otherwise thought to visit. Tripoto is a community-driven platform that makes trip planning easier, more informative, and ultimately more fun for travelers looking for unique and real travel experiences.

Final Remark:

It becomes clear as we delve into the narratives of these trailblazing endeavors that tourism in India will continue to be shaped by a mosaic of varied experiences. These firms are changing the travel industry with services like collaborative trip planning and tailored itineraries. When combined, they capture the essence of discovery and change the way we set out on adventures. The conclusion is obvious as these trailblazers pave the way: India’s travel startup ecosystem is more than simply a group of businesses; it’s a doorway to a new age of remarkable, personalized, and enriching travel experiences.

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5 New Travel Startups From India That Have Momentum

Sean O'Neill, Skift

February 6th, 2017 at 6:00 AM EST

India's public company stars MakeMyTrip and Yatra get all the attention in travel. But several startups have the execution chops and the support of experts like Sequoia Capital and Amadeus to thrive in providing services to the country's online population, now numbering more than 400 million.

Travel-focused startups are thriving — OYO Rooms and ZO Rooms are perhaps the two best-known examples. More new travel startups will be spotlighted as  best-known examples . More new travel startups will be spotlighted at a summit  in New Delhi next month.

The hottest travel startup at the moment is probably  Ixigo , a travel search company. After several shifts in its business focus since its 2007 founding, the Gurgaon-based company hit its stride in the past couple of years by becoming a multi-modal marketplace for hotels, activities, air fares, cabs, and train tickets — including a rail booking app, which has been downloaded nine million times.

This winter Sequoia Capital India and the Chinese conglomerate Fosun are said to be looking to invest. Ixigo has already raised $18 million from investors like SAIF Partners and MakeMyTrip.

Here are five more Indian travel startups we’re tracking…

PressPlay is an on-demand content startup that is like if Netflix and Gogo had a love child. It has installed 3,000 wifi hotspots on trains, long-distance buses, railway platforms, shuttles, hotels, and other travel areas to let users stream the company’s archive of video content without paying for internet data consumption— its so-called “ over-the-top content ” delivery model. It makes money by selling ads.

SavvyMob is a HotelTonight clone for India, enabling hotels to offer mobile-only, last-minute customers discounted rates without launching a price war on their main distribution channels. A year ago, this Bangalore-based business raised $1 million .

>> Skift Take:  While HotelTonight has lost some of it early buzz according to The Information, SavvyMob’s specific approach to appeal to Indian millennials via its Android and iOS mobile apps (and its curated approach to selling distressed inventory from more than 160 hotels in 20 cities) could prove sustainable, despite competition from  RoomsTonite , which has raised $1.5 million .

MindYourFleet , a software-as-a-service platform for car rental and ground transportation companies, provides business-to-business tools for fleet owners to manage their operations, optimize their inventory, and track demand from their corporate clients, online travel companies, and retail customers, in a unified platform. MindYourFleet has signed up several of India’s biggest car rental, cab, and tour brands, such as Fab Cars and Metro Cabs.

>> Skift Take: Founded in 2014, MindYourFleet has gained traction, as legacy players try to catch up with new entrants like Ola and Uber. It has processed more than 100,000 bookings. This month, MindYour Fleet was invited into the Amadeus Next Community , which will give it access to new technology, mentors, and a customer network. That should help it scale.

Repup is a guest-engagement software provider for hotels. This month TripAdvisor made it an official review collection partner. On the strength of that partnership, the two-year-old startup expects to grow from the 20,000 rooms it has listed today to more than 700,000 by year-end.

>> Skift Take: Repup is bringing a version of the early Revinate/ReviewPro/TrustYou model to Indian properties. That model has been proven to work elsewhere. Repup helps cope with an issue that keeps many general managers up at three in the morning: “How can I improve my TripAdvisor score?”

CurrencyKart launched in February 2016 and is led by CEO Neha Gupta. She has essentially built a matchmaking site that helps travelers find money changers in several major cities.

>> Skift Take: CurrencyKart has signed a deal for promotion on online travel agency Yatra , which should amp up business. But the startup will have to execute cautiously. Several Indian startups based on the marketplace model have struggled in India, such as Tushky, a tours-and-activities marketplace that shut down last year.

For all of our startup coverage, check out our SkiftSeedlings archives, here .

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Photo credit: Indian women on a train in Mumbai. Travel booking in India is moving online, and local startups are cashing in. Rafiq Maqbool / Associated Press

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10 Best Travel Startups in India

Thu sep 8 2022.

According to management consulting firm Praxis Global, the online travel market in India, led by flight and hotel aggregators, is expected to touch $13.6 billion by 2021 and will account for almost 43% of the total travel category in the country. The rise of a good number of travel startups explains that.

The report further states that most of the growth would come from the increasing penetration of international flight and hotel bookings made through online portals such as Cleartrip, MakeMyTrip, and Yatra.  According to Madhur Singhal, managing director of Praxis Global Alliance, combined packages of flight and hotel bookings are a huge hit among Indian consumers.

Praxis said in its report that the number of hotel rooms booked in India, both online and offline, touched 11.4 million in 2016, while the number of flights stood at 99.9 million.

Increased in user demand continues to be a major contributing factor as Indian consumers are expected to devote almost 4% of their wallet spends on travel, in the next decade.

According to Kapil Goswamy, CMD, Bigbreaks.com (a tours and travel dedicated portal), the Indian travel industry is set to grow from $33 billion in 2015 to $56 billion by 2020. Let us take a look at the top 10 travel startups in India.

Top 10 travel startups in India

This Delhi-based start-up, founded by Anirudh Gupta and Michael Lyngdoh believes in the principle of sharing travel-related information. The online travel portal allows users to create itineraries for their upcoming trips can share it with other travelers.

They may share travel experiences, related content and pictures, itineraries, maps, and reviews.  Tripoto, ranked among the top 10 travel startups in India, it connects travelers from around the world to share and discover travel destinations, especially the newer and lesser traveled parts.  

SeekSherpa :

Sukhmani Singh and Dhruv Raj Gupta, founded SeekSherpa in 2014. The couple learned about the importance of researching well in advance before traveling, from varied their travel experiences.

The research is better if you get it from a local resident. It is here that SeekSherpa differs from other travel portals. It connects you with the local people in the city you are heading to.

These “sherpas” are chosen after a thorough background check and offer numerous itineraries (popularly referred to as “micro tours”) from sightseeing, photography tours to heritage walks and food walks to explore a location from the eyes of a local guide, aka Sherpa.

Taken from the iconic character of Mowgli (Jungle Book), the travel start-up works in the concept of hop-off the buses, as you travel. An immensely popular concept in the West, goMowgli allows travelers to get down from a bus, and take another bus.

This works best for backpackers or solo travelers, who want to travel without a fixed plan or do not want to get into the glitches of advanced reservations. The travel start-up goMowgli has a fleet of buses across different states in India. Commuters can buy a pass for a fixed number of days (for instance 7 days or 21 days).

All you have to do is to switch on the GPS feature on your mobile or any hand-held device, and goMowgli will tell you the exact location of the nearest bus. Fast growing in popularity, it may well be counted among the top 10 travel startups in India.

Oyo Rooms :

Founded by 21-year-old Ritesh Agarwal, Oyo Rooms, has almost become a household name. The Indian travel startup works in liaison with existing hotels and offers vacant rooms for a cheaper price to their customers.

Oyo has also invested in their own properties which start at a nominal price of ₹999. Another segment called Oyo Premium caters to those that want a more-than-basic experience.

The primary reason Oyo Room properties are so hot is that all properties are located in the city primes thus ensuring that you are always close to the best sightseeing and dining options.  

Thrillophilia :

Thrillophilia, a Bengaluru-based start-up, founded in 2009, is an online travel marketplace where travelers can discover, compare and book from more than 2500 tours and activities from around 1000 suppliers. What more, travelers can curate the best tours and genuine suppliers.

The best part about Thrillophilia is that it provides handpicked adventure travel options, especially for off-the-beaten-track packages for sight-seeing, sports, and adventure activities, that include activities like white water rafting, snorkeling, bungee jumping and skydiving.  

Founded in 2012, the Nearify app is great for travelers new to the city (such as people traveling for business or medical purpose).

Ranked among the top 10 travel startups in India, Nearify provides users with updated information on the city, major tourist attractions, and events happening around them.

The user just needs to key in the name of the city to find listings of meet-ups, workshops, music concerts and cultural hangout zones in their close vicinity.  

Travel Triangle :

Travel Triangle, an initiative by Holiday Triangle Travel Pvt. Ltd, is an online platform that offers personalized and best suitable travel packages to travelers across the world.

With a strong network of more than 450 local travel agents spanning over 15+ countries, Travel Triangle, has a secured place among the top 10 travel startups in India.

It offers customized packages for travelers. A full-fledged online marketplace, Travel Triangle allows customers to connect with various local travel agents, get quotations, and even customize their trips and book travel destinations and packages.  

Routofy, an online travel portal, has been created on the philosophy of providing users with a unique and visionary travel experience. It combines flights, trains, buses & cabs to provide users a coordinated travel itinerary for their journey.

Ranked among the top 10 travel startups in India, Routofy’s route-planning services allow people to know ‘how to reach’ any desired destination and choose a suitable route based on price, duration of journey & availability.

The Routofy app allows users to plan and book door-to-door travel in one go. Furthermore, Routofy accompanies travelers on their journey through its unique travel assistance feature, which includes a host of unique facilities such as last-minute cab bookings, web check-in, and transport delay information.

Routofy ensures that if your flight is running late, a subsequent cab booking is adjusted to meet you at the new arrival time.

iTraveller :

iTraveller, started in 2011 by Shiju Radhakrishnan along with Sanjay Kumar, Chitra Parija and Nisanth Kumar, is an online travel platform for travelers to explore travel destinations, plan and book their trips in advance.

The Bengaluru-based Indian travel startup receives inquiries from clients, allows them to dynamically create self-serviced customized travel packages.

The users can compare reviews and plan their activities and sightseeing for their trips. Furthermore, iTraveller involves native wholesale suppliers who are responsible for the operational aspects of the business that includes ground handling and fulfillment.

More than 2 lakh trips have been created by users on iTraveller, featuring over 20 travel destinations across the globe and 60+ native wholesale suppliers from across these destinations.  

Stayzilla :

This premium online travel portal founded by Yogendra Vasupal provides information on stays across India, for all groups of travelers. This includes all sorts of options from ultra-low-budget rooms to luxury stays. Currently, Stayzilla has more than 17000 options spread across more than 1100 cities.

With a capable market research team that studies traveling trends in India, churns out accommodation options even in the remotest corners.

With a strong network of 17,000 hotels, home stays, and guest houses in more than 1200 cities offering rooms in the budget from 250 per night to 60, 000 per night, Stayzilla is working its way to the top.  

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Tourism and Hospitality is one of the biggest employers forming one of the key pillars of the service sector in the country.

In FY'20, the tourism sector in India accounted for 39 million jobs (8% of total employment)

Despite the recent downturn, the sector will account for about 53 million jobs by 2029.

The travel sector is also witnessing a significant change and evolution on account of the pandemic and the constantly changing preferences of tourists. Some of them may include utilizing the cultural heritage and creation of hospitality infrastructure in rural India or utilizing the existing infrastructure for medical tourism and healthcare support during this ongoing pandemic.

Travel in NSA 2021

Travel, with its employment and soft power potential, is one of the sectors that is key to unlocking inclusive development of the country. NSA aims at supporting exceptional startups leading the development of the tourism sector in the country with a continuous support program to propel India as a tourism hotspot of the world.

Categories and Applications Count for Travel

Travel | Travel Planning and Discovery

Villotale Technologies Private Limited

VilloTale is a startup in a social endeavor to solve some of the inherent issues travelers regularly face whenever they want to travel: where to go that's off-beat and not so popular, and the next difficulty is where to stay with friends and family.

Product Summary

Villotale is a tech startup in destination and experiential tourism in rural space engaging the local community. VilloTale uses technology, partners with rural homestays and rural service providers like homeowners, trekkers, farmers, artisans, guides, village cooks, etc., and helping them improve their product for sales, service quality, customer handling, and customer communication, and delivery standards and help them get business.

Impact/Testimonials

“Awesome experience in a homestay in Himachal”

Satvir Chopra

“VilloTale was amazing. Been to 2nd destination with them. Must visit”

“Amazing experience. Thanks Villotale. in the middle of the jungle. Enjoyed to the fullest”

“Me and my friend had wonderful time thereit was our first experience in homestay which was awesome”

Rupika Rattan

Government recognition/partnership.

The startup was awarded Gold in Himalayan Tourist Samman 2019, organized by PHDCCI, UTDB, and UNDP.

Upcurve Business Services Private Limited

udChalo aims to simplify life by building unique, convenient, and cost-effective platforms for soldiers to access consumer products and services. udChalo Services, including flights, hotels, and tax filing, are now available to everyone at affordable costs coupled with reliable customer service.

udChalo operates travel services for Defence Personnel through the website www.udchalo.com, app platform, and 70 plus offline ticket booking offices catering to more than 2.8 million serving Defence Personnel, Veterans, and their Dependants. udChalo's booking offices are operated by Veterans/Veer Naris/Dependents from the Indian Armed Forces Community. Besides offering the convenience of Air travel, the company has also introduced Hotels, Taxis, Buses, Trains, and Tax filing as additional service offerings to its customers. It is in the process of integrating more services into its portfolio.

“The entire military community must make use of the wonderful job udChalo are doing. Chak do. Jai Hind!”

Maj. Navdeep Singh (Retd.)

“Endorsed, have used their service and they are great. But do maintain your quality strive to imporve them”

Lt. Gen. K J Singh (Retd)

“What touched me the most was their mission to serve the services and at the same time contribute to their defence family through rehabilitation of paraplegic brothers, veer mans and re-employment of ex-seivice personnel”

Mrs. Pooja Y Singh - Army Wife

The startup was awarded Best Employment Generating MSE in the Small - Services segment- SIDBI ET INDIA MSE AWARDS 2019.

Travel | Hospitality

Simplotel Technologies Private Limited

Simplotel is a hotel technology company offering Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) to help hotels drive more bookings through their channels – website, online, and offline. It is a complete online marketing & conversion product suite to help hotels grow direct bookings.

Simplotel is a 'Shopify for hotels and provides hotels with e-commerce and online marketing solutions including Hotel Website Builder, Hotel Booking Engine, Hotel Reservation Desk, Hotel Email Marketing. Simplotel solutions are super easy to use and fast to implement. A hotel can get state of the art e-commerce solution in a matter of hours. Simplotel makes it easy for the marketing team at hotels to take control over their biggest marketing asset, which is their website and associated online booking capability.

“Amazing service, great design. You can start seeing increased traffic right from the first few days of launch. Simplotel's platform is far superior and a 100 times simpler for a complete novice to operate”

Mr. Gopal Kulkarni CEO, Stay Simple Resorts

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10 Top Travel Startups to Watch in 2023

Are you looking for the latest advances in the travel sector? Explore the innovative solutions from the 10 hand-picked startups that we feature in this Travel Startups to Watch in 2023 article. They work on AI travel assistants, low-carbon travel, VR-based tourism, luggage protection, and much more!

Global Startup Heat Map highlights 10 Travel Startups to Watch in 2023

Through the Big Data & Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered StartUs Insights Discovery Platform , covering over 3 790 000+ startups & scaleups globally, we identified 3 845 Travel startups. The Global Startup Heat Map below highlights the 10 travel startups you should watch in 2023 as well as the geo-distribution of all 3 845 startups & scaleups we analyzed for this research. Based on the heat map, we see high startup activity in the US and India, followed by Europe. These 10 hand-picked startups work on solutions ranging from AI-powered travel assistants and carbon-compensated travel to luggage locker networks and location-sharing apps.

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• Tousifair – AI Travel Assistant
• Neolight.ai – AI-based Guest Management
• ExpeditionsPro – Virtual Reality (VR) Tour Platform
• Imvizar – Augmented Reality (AR) Tourism Platform
• SQUAKE – Carbon Compensated Travel
• Travel Neutral – Environmentally Conscious Travel
• Lugbee – Luggage Locker Network
• IONAGE – Unified Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Management
• Ok Away – Location Sharing Application
• ZIM Connections – eSIM Marketplace

Tousifair develops an AI Travel Assistant

Tourisfair is a german startup that makes Pandi , an AI-driven travel assistant. It matches travelers with tourism activities based on their expectations and constraints. The assistant filters out unavailable activities and also ensures the availability of all recommended activities for the trip duration. This eliminates the need for extensive research, saving time for travelers. Moreover, Pandi allows travelers to modify their plans, add or remove activities, and change their itinerary at any time. This way, Tourisfair connects travelers with personalized experiences tailored to their interests, budget, and schedule.

ExpeditionsPro offers a Virtual Reality (VR) Tour Platform

Australian startup ExpeditionsPro offers a VR tour maker platform. It allows travelers to access a large collection of pre-existing 360-degree photo and video content. The startup also enables users to create and share immersive VR tours using their own content or existing tours from the Google Expeditions platform. The platform is compatible with Google Cardboard, tablets, and PCs, making it accessible to users with low-spec hardware. With its easy-to-use, drag-and-drop interface, ExpeditionsPro’s platform enables users to create their own 360-degree tours and share them with travelers around the globe.

Imvizar provides an Augmented Reality (AR) Tourism Platform

Imvizar is an Irish startup that develops an AR tourism platform. It enables users to create, upload and stream AR experiences for cultural and tourism purposes. Travelers use the startup’s companion smartphone app to access a variety of AR experiences. This enhances their visits to attractions, towns, and cities around the world. Imvizar also utilizes 3D scanning, photogrammetry, and spatial audio to create realistic and immersive AR content. Further, the startup allows users to share their own AR experiences with other users. Thus, Imvizar provides a new way for users to learn about different cultures and explore new places.

SQUAKE enables Carbon Compensated Travel

German startup SQUAKE develops an application programming interface (API) plug-in for carbon-compensated travel. It provides accurate carbon calculations and compensations for various forms of travel and transport activities, such as flights, car rides, hotel stays, and more. Its representational state transfer (REST) API enables travel and transport companies to calculate and compensate for their carbon emissions according to national and international standards. This helps companies achieve their sustainability goals by offering sustainable travel alternatives like replacing fossil jet fuel with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The API also integrates precise carbon calculations and compensation into travel booking flows, offering customers green choices, and reducing environmental impact.

Neolight.ai delivers AI-based Guest Management

Croatian startup Neolight.ai offers an AI-based guest management platform. It enables hotel operators and travel agencies to collect and analyze guest preferences and behavior data. The platform also allows them to communicate with travelers via chatbots on instant messaging platforms. Further, it manages reservations, check-ins, check-outs, and housekeeping in a single dashboard. To provide travel recommendations, the platform leverages natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning (ML). The platform offers an efficient solution for the travel and hospitality industries to ensure personalized experiences for their guests while optimizing operations and marketing efforts.

Travel Neutral empowers Environmentally Conscious Travel

Travel Neutral is a French startup that offers all-inclusive travel packages to minimize carbon emissions. It provides low-carbon vacations that are respectful of people, nature, and tradition. The startup does this by providing low-carbon transportation options, such as trains or electric vehicles (EVs), and eco-friendly accommodation choices, like solar-powered hotels or campsites. The startup also calculates and offsets the remaining carbon footprint of each trip by investing in verified environmental projects. This way, Travel Neutral allows travelers to discover new destinations without compromising on sustainability.

Lugbee builds a Luggage Locker Network

Indian startup Lugbee provides an online platform for travelers to find and book secure luggage locker options. It connects travelers with nearby cloakrooms that are available 24/7 and allows them to pay only for the hours they need. After storage, the startup seals the luggage with tamper-proof seals to ensure the safety of each bag. It also verifies and validates the stores that offer luggage storage, and offers 24/7 customer service. This way, Lugbee solves the problem of finding a reliable place to store luggage during travel excursions.

IONAGE provides Unified EV Charging Management

IONAGE is an Indian startup that offers a unified EV charging platform and charger networks. The startup’s app allows travelers to discover charging stations near them or along their route. It also enables them to plan their trip based on vehicle range and battery status. The platform enables them to charge their vehicles seamlessly with a unified payment system. Additionally, IONAGE has an intelligent trip planner that shows if an EV trip is possible with the range of the user’s vehicle. It provides details such as distance, time, cost, and battery status. IONAGE thus provides reliable and convenient access to charging infrastructure for travelers who use EVs.

OK Away makes a Location Sharing App

Australian startup Ok Away makes a location-sharing mobile app. It enables travelers to view each other’s mapped locations, addresses, local times, and phone battery levels on their devices. They also receive smart notifications for arrivals, departures, inactivity, and emergency events. Additionally, the startup promotes a missing pages initiative. It runs awareness campaigns for travelers missing worldwide using social media paid advertising. This way, OK Away enhances the safety and connectivity of travelers.

ZIM Connections builds an eSIM Marketplace

ZIM Connections is a UK-based startup that offers an eSIM marketplace for travelers who need a data connection when they arrive at a new destination. It allows users to choose from different providers, purchase a plan, and activate their new eSIM. Available in over 120 countries, it eliminates the hassle of swapping physical SIM cards and losing data coverage. Thus, ZIM Connections’ eSIM marketplace provides travelers with an easy and quick way to connect anywhere at any time.

Discover All Emerging Travel Startups

The travel startups showcased in this report are only a small sample of all startups we identified through our data-driven startup scouting approach. Download our free Travel Innovation Report for a broad overview of the industry or get in touch for quick & exhaustive research on the latest technologies & emerging solutions that will impact your company in 2023!

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The Top Travel Startups In India Are Changing How The Country Travels

The travel industry in India had been pretty much dormant about a decade ago. However with the growth of the internet and information exchange across the globe, this industry has witnessed a second coming. As awareness emerged regarding the delights that different places had to offer, the number of people bitten by the travel bug also grew. This recent travel fad has resulted in several interesting pop culture quirks. An increase in the sale of Royal Enfield bikes, DSLR cameras and people posting on social media networks, pictures of themselves at iconic locations with the words “Wanderlust” usually scribbled somewhere along. And of course as the need for travel grew, so did an explosion of travel and travel based startups. There are startups that take care of curating travel lists, making travel arrangements, arranging foreign exchange , and handling the back-operations of travel and then some. Here’s a list of the top travel startups in India.

1. Thrillophilia

This Bangalore-based startup focuses on an activity  based travel rather than passive sightseeing. Branding themselves as an “adventure travel company”, they seek to provide an experience in tune with their name for thrill seekers who want that adrenaline rush, with curated and handpicked best local experiences to give you a complete offbeat experience. Co-founded by Chitra Gurnani and Abhishek Daga, their operations started back in 2009 and since then has grown from strength to strength. Initially, they offered eco and activity based tours but soon included corporate tours, honeymoon trips with adventurous activities, weekend and wildlife getaways. Their most popular offerings are white water rafting, Skydiving, waterfall rappelling, Scuba diving, bungee jumping, etc.

Fulfilling a variety of roles, Ixigo can be best described as a Travel based search engine across many dimensions of travel like Cabs, Buses, Trains, Flights, Hostel, Hotels and Homestays. An aggregator of information, it brings it all under one platform, its own, to help you plan your journey efficiently. iXiGO has a Meta Search for hotels across popular online platforms, a Train search app with in-built PNR based prediction, of the outcome of your ticket booking status. They also acquired Rutogo and Indianbackpacker, two startups in the Meta search for cabs and online travel community industry respectively. Started back in 2007 by Aloke Bajpai and Rajnish Kumar, iXiGO has won several awards and was included in the “Top 10 hottest startups to watch out for in 2007” by Business Today.

3. ExTravelMoney

Most of the startups discussed in this list address the most immediate and obvious needs of a traveller. ExTravelMoney  is a unique idea that strives to be of excellence in a niche market for money exchange. With ExTravelMoney.com, a traveller can easily buy foreign currency before the trip and encash left-over forex after the trip. They could also buy forex travel cards and send money from India to a foreign country. ExTravelMoney has tied up with major RBI approved exchange houses and serves as an aggregator. Instant quotes from nearest money changers are displayed so that a traveller can compare and choose the most profitable option. The truly remarkable thing about this company is that there are 4000+ forex stores spread all over India having tie-ups with it. By going through this portal, travellers can access currency exchange almost anywhere in India. Travellers, also have the option of getting forex delivered or picked up, wherever they are!

4. OYO rooms

OYO rooms , is an online budget hotels aggregator having a large network of hotels across more than 170 cities in India. This startup is consolidating its position in the budget hotels market through its guarantee of providing only standardized rooms with features like AC, TV, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, good food and customer service, etc. Most of the times, hotels promise on undeliverables and travellers are left to face inconveniences in an unfamiliar place like   dirty bathrooms, bed bugs infested mattresses , unclean floors, mosquito infestations and so on. According to Ritesh Agarwal, CEO, OYO rooms, it is not right that travellers have to endure such substandard service no matter how cheap an accommodation they have opted for. To bridge this trust deficiency betweens hotels and travellers is what he hopes to achieve. Their recent feature includes rooms for unmarried couples , no questions asked!

5. HolidayIQ

Another one of the top travel startups in India is HolidayIQ, a t ravel information aggregator company which covers most aspects of travel from transportation means to stay options available at a place. The interesting thing about HolidayIQ is that the information in their portal is user generated. Imagine thousands of people writing down their unique experiences at a common place, which is then arranged, categorized so that travellers looking at it can rely on first-hand accounts when visiting a place. This is the modus operandi of HolidayIQ which has pushed them to the elite club of travel sites in India.

6. Padhaaro

When travellers go to a new place it is easy for vendors and business establishments to dupe them by quoting high prices for goods and services. Also, travellers may not know about the unique experiences that a place has to offer and the dangers, risks associated if any. Padhaaro is a startup that tries to tackle this problem head on. They have a network of Greeters and Local Experts who can show you around. These greeters are more like friends hanging out with you, who are passionate travellers themselves and not monotonic guides. They range from students to working professionals. Their expertise can help you enjoy the pure travel experience while being safe and can thus enhance your travel.

7. Stayzilla

Yaadhum Oorey, Yaavarum Kaelir,’ any town is my home, any person is my kin. Sporting this tagline, Stayzilla is a startup that is working exclusively in the travel stays marketplace. Their stays cover a vast range including lodges, homestays, guesthouses, etc. Options range from ultra-low-budget rooms to luxury stays. This platform allows travellers to choose their likes and interests that they prefer along with their stay. These responses are matched against the same for hosts. If a match is successful, that property gets unlocked and guests can directly chat with the host. The likes and interests could be anything from activities like photography or mehndi designs that are included with the stay. Currently, Stayzilla has more than 800,000 stay options across 4500+ towns and growing, and that makes it one of the top travel startups in India.

Tripoto is another emerging startup that is trying to take a sizable slice of the travel market pie. They are competing directly with holidayIQ and broadly with Triphobo. Founded by Anirudh Gupta and Michael Pargal Lyngdoh back in 2013, Tripoto curates user-generated content of user’s travel experiences and maps the places in every story along with the posted pictures. It could be called the Facebook of travellers as people can create their own profiles, read the stories of other travellers and use the in-house chat to directly communicate with fellow users. The startup has stated that it has a whopping 250,000 itineraries created through its platform!

9. TripHobo

Formerly JoGuru, TripHobo is into custom trip planning.  The startup which offers DIY trip planning across 14,000 cities, boasts of 589453 custom itineraries created by travelers across the globe. They also offer hotel and tour booking making it a complete holiday planning website. Travellers just have to input the places they would like to visit and choose the attractions, activities they want to see and experience and  TripHobo optimizes your travel itinerary to give you the best possible experience. While at it, it displays a map with the attractions you have chosen and refines your journey route with an algorithm, ordering the sequence of your planned visits by comparing the distances, opening/closing hours. 

10. goMowgli

Mowgli in “The Jungle Book”, is a happy go lucky kid who roams the jungles without any worries. goMowgli is a startup trying to capture that same spirit. This startup claims to be India’s first flexible bus network for travellers. You can hop on and off their network of travel buses at any time. By buying a goMowgli pass with fixed number of days say 5, 12 or 21, travellers can travel within a state on any goMowgli travel bus. A call to goMowgli will help them identify the bus nearest to your location and arrange a convenient pickup. The travel bus offers offbeat experiences and adventure activities that come along with the passes. The passes usually have a validity of 180 days, so you can schedule your travel anytime within that period.

The idea of travelling as a way of life rather than as an exclusive pastime for the rich is widely gaining acceptance in India. Realizing the market potential that such a vast and populous country with incredible travel vistas to boot can offer, these top travel startups in India have jumped into the fray to emerge as the most promising in a market untapped.

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Top Travel Startups in India in 2024

In this article we will discuss about some Travel Startups in India . Travel and tourism industry is perhaps the biggest industry in India. As indicated by government measurements in 2017, the yearly growth of domestic travelers in India remained at 17.2%.

Here is a list of best Travel Startups in India and travel and tourism industry new companies in India which are making it possible to go for everybody.

ScoutMyTrip

ScoutMyTrip was founded by Deepak Ananth and Vineet Rajan.

ScoutMyTrip is an excursion organizer which conflates human information with artificial intelligence to help plan the ideal excursion for individuals.. ScoutMyTrip works for a wide range of trips, from brief end of the week travels to long outings.

Read also Postman : Leading API Platform

With artificial intelligence, users can make an agenda containing the data important for their road trip—service stations, latrines, cafés, inns to remain, and focal points. The human insight perspective gets the capacity to customize the data according to one’s requirements.

Founded by Vineet Budki, Nidhi Varma, Prashant Choudhary and Biswajeet Karmakar in 2014, Guiddoo is a Mumbai based travel startup . . Guiddoo basically manages its clients in all the parts of traveling.

From revealing to you the initial season of a specific objective to enlightening you regarding insurance of that place, it gives all data. With highlights, for example, general media control, data identified with history and random data and free attendant services, Guiddoo tackles all in-objective travel requires.

With its developing ubiquity among Globetrotters, Guiddoo plans to be a One-Stop Platform for travelers to find and book extraordinary travel encounters during their worldwide trip.

Ithaka was Launched as an in-objective encounter booking website. Today Ithaka is a visit based travel planner app , that covers objections from Thailand, Bali, Europe, UAE, Singapore, Malaysia and Turkey. The Ithaka app is available for both Android and iOS.

Ithaka was begun by Rahul Singh and Ameya Sahasrabudhe. Rahul and Ameya were companions from IIT Bombay. Both of them cherished traveling and the motivation to startup Ithaka came from their own travels.

While attempting to sell exercises and in-objective encounters to travelers on the ground, the Ithaka group saw that there are numerous individuals who continue requesting travel counsel. This made the group concoct the possibility of a visit based travel planning startup.

Pickyourtrail

Pickyoutrail was founded by Hari Ganapathy and Srinath Shankar in 2014, Pickyoutrail is a Chennai based startup. Pickyourtrail encourages travelers to design their get-away without any problem.

The platform uses profound tech to allow travelers to make, modify and book global get-aways. Pickyourtrail considers in excess of 40 variables like length, travel time, evaluations, and so on to assemble customized schedules that travelers can additionally redo and book.

After the trip is reserved, travelers can use Pickyourtrail’s app to monitor bookings and get continuous information on flight and climate refreshes, café suggestions and on-trip visit uphold.

Travel Triangle

Travel Triangle is establish by 3 IIT graduates, Sankalp Agarwal, Sanchit Garg and Prabhat Gupta. Travel Triangle is headquartered at Gurugram. Travel Triangle operates with a versatile team of 450+ individuals. Travel Triangle is working as an online commercial center model bringing both the travelers and trusted and ace travel specialists on an average stage.

Travel Triangle is a SaaS-based customer relationship management (CRM) stage to help them with overseeing and investigate customer associations and information.. Travel Triangle has raised financing of $20 Million from SAIF Partners, Bessemer Venture Partners and RB Investments.

Tripoto is a Delhi-based startup founded by Anirudh Gupta and Michael Lyngdoh and a standout amongst other travel startups in India. It that permits clients to make schedules for their future trips that they can likewise impart to different travelers. They can share their travel encounters, related substance and pictures, agendas, guides, stories, and surveys.

The startup has one of the largest community of travelers on the planet where individuals get an opportunity to share their travel encounters, find interesting trips and travel agendas by different travelers and interface with different travelers around the globe through the site.

Tripoto’s point is to turn into the largest wellspring of publicly supported travel content stage on the planet by empowering clients to share their sound travel data.

Nearify is an application founded by Mayank Kumar, Saurav Singh and Vivek Srivastava in 2012 that furnishes clients with refreshed data on occasions that are going on around them. Like data on the city, significant vacation destinations, and fairs and celebrations occurring in the region.

The client should simply to enter for the sake of the city to discover postings of meet-ups, workshops, music shows and social home base spots in their closeness.

It is best suited for travelers who need to understand what’s going on in different areas of the spot they are traveling to and wish to design their schedule and furthermore don’t have any desire to pass up the get-togethers occurring in close by city or areas.

TripHobo is a Pune-based startup that has an innovative new travel platform where the aggregate exertion of their committed group of travel lovers. They are attempting to change its clients travel insight by making travel more sharable and actually customized. The platform allows you to associate with travel amigos around the globe and consequently make your experience much more extravagant and important.

TripHobo is an excursion arranging site which is likewise the world’s driving get-away arranging platform on which you can design trips to around 150,000 objections around the world. It allows clients to find extraordinary agendas made by travelers simply like them.

SeekSherpa was founded by Sukhmani Singh and Dhruv Raj Gupta in 2014. The portable commercial center associates the travelers with the nearby individuals in the city you are traveling to. These individuals are classified “Sherpas” and are picked after an intensive record verification and confirmed genuineness.

They offer various schedules, prominently known as “miniature visits”, from touring, photography visits, and legacy strolls and food strolls to investigate an area from the eyes of a nearby guide – Sherpa.

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7 Indian incubators that are changing the face of Indian travel industry

By adarsh srivastava on january 26, 2016 | spotlight.

There has been a rapid growth of the Indian startup ecosystem in the past few years. In 2014, 3100 startups established themselves in the market. It is predicted that the number will rise to 11,500 by 2020. National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) has revealed that India is the fastest growing and third largest startup ecosystem after US and UK.

One of the factors contributing to the growth of innumerable startups in the Indian market is the ease in the accessibility of capital through venture capitals, angel investment and seed funding. If you are attempting to set up an Indian travel business sometime soon, you can consider approaching the startup incubators listed below:

#1 Startup Village

Founded in 2012, Startup Village was India’s first incubator funded jointly by public and private sector. It assists new businesses to create innovative technologies for the global telecommunications industry. With the aim to mentor 1000 tech startups in a span of 10 years, it focuses more on student startups from college campuses. Startup Village is launching an online-first learning platform that recognizes and rewards entrepreneurs with a real degree by partnering with recognized universities.

Travel incubatee: iTraveller

#2 CIIE IIMA

Launched in 2008, CIIE IIM-A is a technology business incubator that provides services in business investment, knowledge dissemination, and training. It consists of faculty, alumni, mentors from IIM-A and service providers from the industry who wish to help disruptive innovations and aspiring entrepreneurs succeed commercially. They plan to imbibe the spirit of entrepreneurship in India.

Travel incubatee: TravelYaari , Thrillophilia

#3 IotaCell

Founded in 2013, IotaCell promotes entrepreneurship by cultivating ideas and imparting knowledge. It has an interesting program to help student entrepreneurs get off the hook from the ambiguous and unknown elements of establishing their new businesses. After analyzing the practicality of the business ideas, IotaCell guides the entrepreneurs to make their products or services a reality.

#4 Seedfund

Launched in 2006, Seedfund is India’s leading early-stage venture capital fund that runs successfully in Mumbai, Bengaluru, and New Delhi. Through it, startups get access to relevant information from sector experts on various aspects of the business. It has invested in 31 companies till date and is the two-time winner of Venture Intelligence.

Travel Incubatee: redBus

#5 GSF India

Founded in 2011, GSF is a technology and seed accelerator. It comprises of 200 investors and 17 entrepreneurs. Its mission is to encourage the flow of informed, knowledgeable mentorship capital to the startups in India and beyond. It has many popular brands in its portfolio like GameZop and Joolz.

Travel incubatee: Trip Tern

#6 Srijan Capital

Travel Incubatee: Explara

Founded in 2002, NSRCEL enhances entrepreneurship and acts as an incubator cell for the startups. After the business idea is approved by NSRCEL,the startups get access to their different services. Like the new businesses are guided by an allotted review panel at regular intervals. Their progress is monitored from time to time. Apart from this, they are connected to a network of service providers such as lawyers and accountants as well as media, investors, successful entrepreneurs and corporate managers who visit the Centre frequently. This makes NSRCEL a unique incubator.

Travel Incubatee: Highway Delite

With experienced mentors and good reach, these incubators can be great companion for the journey of your startup.

Related Article:  Travel Startups Incubator starts India Operations, Looking to invest $25,000 in Indian Travel Startups

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Revolutionizing Travel and Mobility: Indian Startups on the Rise

The combination of a large population, rising middle class, technological advancements, supportive government policies, sustainability concerns, and untapped market potential has created a conducive environment for Indian startups to revolutionize travel and mobility. Now let`s look up at the reasons why Indian startups are focusing on revolutionizing travel and mobility:

Growing population and urbanization

As the population grows and more people migrate to cities, the demand for transportation services increases. This leads to overcrowded roads, traffic congestion, and longer commute times. Startups are developing solutions to address this issue by offering efficient modes of transportation, such as ride-sharing, bike-sharing, and shuttle services, which can alleviate congestion and provide quicker travel technology software options. With urbanization, cities are expanding, and public transportation infrastructure may not always be able to provide effective last-mile connectivity. Startups are stepping in to bridge this gap by offering services like bike rentals, electric scooters, and micro-transit solutions. These options enable commuters to easily travel short distances between transit stations and their final destinations. Urbanization brings changes in travel patterns, with a greater need for flexible and on-demand transportation options. Startups are leveraging technology to offer services like ride-hailing, car-sharing, and self-drive rentals that cater to these evolving travel preferences. This allows individuals to choose the mode of transport that suits their needs, whether it's a quick ride to work or a longer trip. As urban areas grow, people's aspirations and mobility needs also evolve. There is a rising demand for affordable and convenient travel options that offer comfort and reliability.

Startups are developing platforms that provide information, booking services, and personalized travel experiences to meet these aspirations. This includes aggregating transportation options, providing real-time updates, and offering tailored recommendations. Urbanization leads to economic opportunities concentrated in urban areas, attracting people from rural regions. Efficient travel and mobility solutions are crucial in ensuring that individuals have access to employment opportunities, education, healthcare, and other essential services. Startups are working towards enhancing connectivity and accessibility, particularly for underserved areas, through innovative transportation models and technology-driven solutions. The growing population and urbanization also contribute to environmental concerns, including increased pollution and carbon emissions. Startups are focusing on sustainable mobility solutions such as electric vehicles, shared transportation, and promoting greener modes of top travel technology companies . By offering eco-friendly alternatives, they aim to reduce the environmental impact of transportation and promote a more sustainable future.

Rising middle-class and disposable income

As the middle class expands and disposable income rises, people have more money to spend on travel and transportation. This has created a significant market for innovative travel portal solutions and services. Startups are capitalizing on this trend by offering a wide range of options, from affordable shared transportation to luxury travel experiences, catering to the diverse preferences and budgets of the middle-class population. With rising incomes, there is a growing demand for convenient and comfortable travel experiences. People are willing to pay for services that provide hassle-free bookings, seamless experiences, and personalized options. Startups are leveraging technology to offer user-friendly platforms, mobile apps, and digital payment solutions, making it easier for consumers to access and enjoy travel and mobility services. The rising middle class in India has aspirational travel goals, seeking unique and experiential travel experiences. Startups are innovating in areas such as adventure tourism, luxury travel, cultural experiences, and offbeat destinations to cater to these aspirations. They are providing curated travel packages, personalized itineraries, and access to niche experiences that were previously limited to a select few. As disposable income increases, more people are exploring both domestic and international travel. Startups are playing a crucial role in facilitating travel planning, offering competitive prices, and providing a wide range of options for accommodation, transportation, and activities. They are making travel more accessible and affordable, encouraging more people to explore new destinations, and contributing to the tourism industry. The rising middle class is shifting its focus from material possessions to experiences. People are seeking memorable and meaningful experiences through travel technology company . Startups are capitalizing on this trend by offering unique travel experiences, adventure activities, cultural immersion programs, and other experiential offerings. They are creating platforms that connect travelers with local hosts, guides, and communities, enabling them to have authentic and immersive travel experiences. With economic growth and globalization, there has been an increase in business travel within India and internationally. Startups are addressing the needs of business travelers by providing streamlined booking processes, corporate travel portal management solutions, and tools for expense management. These startups are catering to the specific requirements of the corporate sector, such as seamless travel logistics, priority services, and access to business facilities.

Technological advancements

The widespread adoption of smartphones and mobile apps has transformed the way people access travel and mobility services. Startups are leveraging mobile platforms to offer user-friendly apps that allow seamless booking, real-time tracking, digital payments, and personalized travel experiences. These apps provide convenience, accessibility, and a direct connection between service providers and consumers. The availability of internet connectivity and the growth of IoT devices have facilitated the integration of various modes of transportation and improved the overall travel experience. Startups are using IoT to enable real-time monitoring and management of vehicles, infrastructure, and travel services. This includes features like vehicle tracking, smart parking solutions, and intelligent transportation systems that optimize routes and enhance safety. The collection and analysis of large volumes of data are empowering startups to make informed decisions and offer personalized travel services. By leveraging big data and analytics, startups can understand consumer behavior, preferences, and travel patterns. This enables them to tailor their services, recommend relevant options, optimize operations, and improve overall customer satisfaction. AI (artificial intelligence) and ML (machine learning) technologies are being used to enhance various aspects of travel and mobility. Startups are deploying AI-powered chatbots for customer support, voice assistants for travel planning, and predictive analytics for demand forecasting. AI and ML algorithms help optimize route planning, pricing strategies, and resource allocation, leading to more efficient and cost-effective travel technology solution . The advent of electric vehicles is transforming the landscape of sustainable mobility. Startups are focusing on developing EV charging infrastructure, electric vehicle rental services, and promoting the adoption of clean energy solutions. Technology plays a vital role in monitoring battery charging, optimizing range, and providing seamless integration of EVs into the transportation network. Blockchain technology offers enhanced security and transparency in transactions. Startups are exploring the use of blockchain for secure and decentralized systems, such as peer-to-peer car-sharing platforms and digital identities for seamless travel experiences. Blockchain can ensure trust, eliminate intermediaries, and provide immutable records, benefiting both service providers and consumers.

Government Initiatives and Policies

The Indian government has launched various initiatives and policies to promote startups, entrepreneurship, and sustainable mobility. These include initiatives like Make in India, Startup India, and policies promoting electric vehicles. Such initiatives create a favorable environment for startups to flourish and contribute to the travel and mobility sector. Launched in 2014, the Make in travel technology India campaign aims to promote domestic manufacturing and attract foreign investment. This initiative has encouraged the development of indigenous electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, and other mobility solutions. Startups in the travel and mobility sector have benefited from this push towards domestic manufacturing, leading to the emergence of innovative products and services. The Startup India initiative, launched in 2016, aims to create a favorable ecosystem for startups by providing various benefits and support. This includes simplifying regulatory processes, offering tax incentives, and establishing incubation centers and funding mechanisms. Startups in the travel and mobility sector have benefited from these supportive measures, which have encouraged innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment. The NEMMP, launched in 2013, aims to promote the adoption of electric vehicles in India. The government has set targets for the percentage of electric vehicles in public and private transportation and has provided incentives and subsidies for EV manufacturers, charging infrastructure development, and EV adoption. This has encouraged startups to focus on electric mobility solutions and contribute to a greener transportation ecosystem. The implementation of BS-VI emission norms in April 2020 has significantly reduced vehicle emissions. This has prompted startups to invest in cleaner and greener technologies, such as electric vehicles and alternative fuels. The stricter emission standards have accelerated the adoption of sustainable mobility solutions and encouraged startups to develop innovative and eco-friendly transportation options. The Smart Cities Mission, launched in 2015, aims to transform cities into sustainable and citizen-friendly urban centers. The initiative focuses on leveraging technology and innovation to improve urban infrastructure, transportation systems, and mobility travel technology services . Startups have been actively involved in implementing smart transportation solutions, including intelligent traffic management systems, smart parking solutions, and integrated mobility platforms. The Digital India initiative aims to transform India into a digitally empowered society. It promotes the use of digital technologies and connectivity across various sectors, including travel and mobility. The government's emphasis on digital platforms, online services, and digital payment systems has facilitated the growth of startups in the travel and mobility space, enabling seamless booking, real-time tracking, and digital transactions.

Need for sustainable and eco-friendly solutions

The transportation sector is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. As awareness of climate change and environmental issues grows, there is a growing demand for sustainable transportation options that reduce carbon emissions and minimize environmental impact. Startups focusing on electric vehicles, alternative fuels, and shared mobility are addressing these concerns and offering eco-friendly alternatives. Governments worldwide are implementing stricter regulations and policies to reduce emissions and promote sustainable transportation. This includes initiatives such as vehicle emission standards, congestion charges, and incentives for electric vehicles. Startups that provide sustainable mobility solutions align with these policies and can benefit from incentives and support provided by governments. Consumers are increasingly prioritizing sustainability and making conscious choices in their travel software and mobility options. They seek environmentally friendly alternatives that align with their values and contribute to reducing their carbon footprint. Startups that offer green transportation options, such as electric vehicles, bike-sharing, and carpooling, are catering to this growing demand and attracting environmentally conscious customers. Sustainable transportation solutions can offer cost savings and efficiency benefits. Electric vehicles have lower operating and maintenance costs compared to traditional fuel-powered vehicles. Shared mobility options like ride-sharing and bike-sharing can reduce individual transportation expenses and optimize vehicle utilization, leading to cost savings for both consumers and businesses. Many companies and organizations are actively incorporating sustainability and environmental stewardship into their corporate social responsibility initiatives. This includes adopting sustainable transportation practices for employee commuting, travel business , and logistics. Startups that provide eco-friendly transportation solutions can partner with businesses to support their sustainability goals and enhance their corporate image. The global shift towards sustainability and eco-friendly practices present significant market opportunities for startups in the travel and mobility sector. Investors, consumers, and businesses are increasingly interested in supporting and adopting sustainable solutions. Startups that prioritize sustainability have the potential to attract investment, gain a competitive advantage, and tap into a growing market segment.

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‘Cabs to get into space’: How this Indian startup wants to revolutionize satellite space travel

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India is pushing pioneering national initiatives, including plans to have its own space station by 2035 and to put an Indian astronaut on the moon by 2040.

By Amy Gunia, CNN

Published Apr 26, 2024 4:20 AM PDT | Updated Apr 26, 2024 4:20 AM PDT

Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks at the launch of space infrastructure projects at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), in Thiruvananthapuram, India on February 27. (Photo credit: ANI/Reuters via CNN Newsource)

(CNN) —  India is one of the world’s top spacefaring nations. It is the first Asian country to reach Mars orbit, and the fourth on the planet to take a  spacecraft to the moon,  landing closer to the south pole, known for its cratered terrain, than anyone else had at the time.

But its private sector has played a limited role in space exploration, acting mostly as suppliers and vendors for its national space agency, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).

That’s changing quickly, owing to a raft of government reforms aiming to boost private participation in the space sector. In the United States, the proliferation of private companies like  Elon Musk’s SpaceX  have boosted Washington’s space ambitions by driving down costs.

Now Indian homegrown startups like Skyroot Aerospace, which launched the country’s first private rocket  in 2022,  are leading the charge to commercialize India’s space sector and bolster its status as a space superpower.

Inside a sleek rocket hanger in the southern city of Hyderabad, the company is preparing for lift-off of the seven-story tall Vikram-1 rocket, which will take India’s first privately launched satellites into orbit.

“That’ll be a major milestone for us,” Pawan Chandana, a former ISRO scientist who co-founded Skyroot Aerospace in 2018, told CNN. “Very few companies globally are able to make it to orbit yet.”

India is pushing pioneering national initiatives, including plans to have its own space station  by 2035  and to put an Indian astronaut on the moon by 2040.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is currently running for his third consecutive term, has made a major push to commercialize space activity in recent years, including allowing private enterprise to take part and easing approvals for foreign investment into the space sector.

Small satellites, big opportunity

Companies around the world are catapulting thousands of satellites into low Earth orbit (LEO), which extends to an altitude of about 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles), to form mega-constellations: groups of small satellites that work together to beam broadband Internet to terrestrial users.

According to analytics firm  BryceTech,  96% of spacecraft launched in 2022 were small satellites, up from 61% in 2013.

That’s driving exponential growth. The global space economy was worth $630 billion in 2023, according to  a report  by McKinsey & Company and the World Economic Forum, and it could grow to $1.8 trillion by 2035.

It’s the small satellite market that Skyroot wants to capture, with plans to offer customized launches for satellites under 500 kilograms (1,100 pounds).

Organizations’ satellites often piggyback onto “rideshare” missions. Last year, for example, one SpaceX journey — powered by its Falcon 9 rocket, which can carry  22,000 kilograms  (48,500 pounds) into LEO — launched 51 small satellites into orbit for multiple companies.

But there’s often a waiting period to hitch a ride, and satellites can only go where the rocket is heading. That may be disadvantageous for a satellite that wants to reach a particular orbit, to observe a certain part of the planet.

The model does provides advantages.  SpaceX  says the cost of getting a 500-kilogram (1,100 pound) payload into LEO is about $6,000 per kilogram.

“It’s really very, very competitive what SpaceX is now offering,” says Susmita Mohanty, director general of Indian think-tank Spaceport Sarabhai.

Skyroot wants to offer dedicated launches for $20,000 per kilogram, which is much more expensive than SpaceX’s less bespoke service. (Chandana says that mass production and better technology may enable further cost reductions).

Chandana compares SpaceX’s ridesharing missions as “a train to go to space” and Skyroot’s operations as “cabs to get into space, where we take satellites to their customized locations.”

He adds: “We don’t directly compete with SpaceX, because SpaceX is into bigger vehicles and satellites … and what we are into is customized launch solutions.”

Once prices drop, there will be more interest in “people wanting to choose dedicated launches without compromising on going for a rideshare mission,” he said.

Customized launches might be useful for those who want to send smaller payloads aiming to reach “a diverse amount of orbits” that might not be possible to get to by ridesharing, says  Kari Bingen , director of the Aerospace Security Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a think-tank based in the US.

That could be useful for commercial companies, academic institutions or governments that are willing to pay the price, she adds.

Chandana is optimistic he can make it more affordable, noting the “frugality in the DNA” of India’s space program. (The country’s Mars orbiter budget was just  $74 million.  Modi has pointed out that it cost less than the Hollywood sci-fi thriller “Gravity.”)

Chandana adds that the company aims to build a reusable rocket eventually, a capability which has helped SpaceX reduce launch costs.

Hurdles to clear

India is now home to almost 200 space startups, up from just one in 2014, according to a report published by  Deloitte  in 2023. Over the same period, private investment into those companies topped $200 million.

Skyroot has already raised $95 million, with backers like Singapore sovereign wealth fund GIC. That makes it India’s most-funded space startup, according to  data platform Tracxn .

But the company has work to do to reach profitability. It needs to demonstrate that it can consistently reach orbit, before interest “will turn into contracts, which will help us scale,” says Chandana. Yet spots on Vikram-1 are fully booked, with a mix of domestic and international clients.

As Indian space startups mature over the coming years, he expects the government to become a customer, enabling further growth. Many private space companies source income from governments, including Space X, which has raked in  billions of dollars  from US government contracts.

India’s government allocated just under $1.6 billion to develop its space prorgram in its  interim 2024 budget . By comparison, NASA received  $24.9 billion  for 2024.

“Unless and until the government backs up the reforms with significant funding coming from India itself, it will be difficult for us to rival the development of the US market or the Chinese market,” says Mohanty.

She adds that for Indian startups to play a meaningful role in the global marketplace, “they need to go beyond servicing our own space agency’s domestic mandate and start bidding for contracts.”

Chandana sounds up for the challenge. “We want to become globally [one of the] top three launch companies,” he says. “My fascination for rockets has become an obsession.”

Read more about space exploration:

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