India’s Booming Travel Market

Air India has major goals. CEO Campbell Wilson is looking to turn the company into a “top-tier and world-class airline” after decades of underinvestment by Indian officials, writes Airlines Reporter Meghna Maharishi.  

Wilson discussed Air India’s strategy during a discussion with Asia Editor Peden Doma Bhutia at the Skift India Summit today. The company has undergone a major overhaul in recent months that includes new business class cabins and a new logo. In addition to going on a major hiring spree, Air India has also recently placed an order for 470 aircraft — one of the largest orders in commercial aviation. 

Next, the CEOs of India’s two largest online travel agencies said they’re not at war with each other. But they acknowledged they’re in a race to take advantage of India’s huge potential for growth, writes Middle East Reporter Josh Corder. 

MakeMyTrip CEO Rajesh Magow said at the Skift India Summit that there’s room for multiple competitors in the sector considering the huge size and potential of India’s travel industry. While Magow added competition is healthy, Yatra Online CEO Dhruv Shringi said during the discussion with Executive Editor Dennis Schaal he doesn’t worry about what Yatra’s rivals are doing. 

Both executives also said that companies operating in India need to focus on promoting domestic travel and finding ways to reach the country’s growing middle class.   

Finally, Oberoi Group has unveiled plans to develop an ultra-luxury hotel brand, writes Middle East Reporter Corder. 

Oberoi Group CEO and Managing Director Vikram Oberoi told Senior Hospitality Editor Sean O’Neill that the new brand is part of the company’s push to double its overall room count by 2030. Oberoi also discussed the company’s “Oberoi Nature” project, which is its plan to develop hotels close to nature. He said Oberoi Group wants to add 50 new hotels to its portfolio by 2030.