Sankara Subramanian C

I’ve always believed that travel companies shouldn’t follow market trends, we should be the ones shaping them. At Yatra, that belief has guided every decision. From doubling down on business travel when others pulled back, to integrating NDC and rethinking how travel content is accessed, we’ve built not for where the market is, but where it’s going. Air travel demand is steadily rising year on year, with outbound travel from India accelerating, driven by greater access, rising aspirations, and a growing appetite for global experiences. But the real shift isn’t in numbers, it’s in expectations. Travelers today want more than bookings. They want control, personalization, and speed. Business travel is no longer just about transit, it’s about purpose and productivity. To stay relevant, we must evolve with this mindset continuously anticipating what tomorrow’s traveller truly values. We’re not here to catch up. We’re here to lead the next wave of what travel can be.

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Excited to share ixigo continues to outpace market growth in Q2, Bus vertical accelerates ahead : https://lnkd.in/gbVigJCr Bus Business Key highlights from Q2 FY26:  Bus GTV ₹571.9 Cr (+51% YoY)    Bus Revenue increased +64% YoY to Rs. 65.4 cr  Bus Pax growth 46% YoY

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IndiGo Joins Forces with Global Airlines for Long-Haul Expansion IndiGo’s recent expansion of alliances with Delta Air Lines, Air France-KLM, and Virgin Atlantic marks a transformative milestone in India’s aviation landscape. By forging these powerful partnerships, IndiGo significantly broadens its long-haul connectivity, opening up a wider array of seamless travel options between India, Europe, and North America. https://lnkd.in/gWaY6W2G #IndiGo #Joins #Forces #GlobalAirlines #LongHaul #Expansion #alliances #DeltaAirLines #AirFranceKLM #VirginAtlantic #transformative #milestone #India #aviation #landscape #travel #India #Europe #NorthAmerica #traveling #traveladvisor #travelindustry #travelagent TraveLICE TraveLICE Customercare

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Rethinking Trust in Global Travel Trust is the invisible currency of travel, yet it's increasingly strained in today's fragmented ecosystem. Ratings, certifications, and centralized systems are no longer enough to guarantee confidence. So, how do we rebuild trust? The answer lies in verifiable infrastructure powered by technologies like blockchain. Imagine a world where: -Reviews are tamper-proof and tied to verified bookings. -Refunds are triggered automatically by smart contracts. -Sustainability claims are traceable and tokenized. This isn't science fiction—it's the future of travel. With solutions like KALP's regulated-by-design architecture, we can transform trust from a leap of faith into a provable reality. It's time to move from promises to protocols, from platforms to programmable trust. Let’s build a travel ecosystem where trust isn’t just earned—it’s embedded. Read more about this vision for the future of travel in The Trust Protocol by me https://lnkd.in/gcqURPzm #TravelTech #Blockchain #Innovation #Trust

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Our Approach to Marketing in the Travel Industry: A Customer-Centric Strategy ✈️🌍 By Nisha Jain, Founder of PNM TRAVELLING In today’s fast-evolving travel landscape, marketing is not just about selling packages—it’s about creating experiences, building trust, and understanding the ever-changing needs of travelers. At PNM Travelling, we believe in a customer-centric approach that goes beyond traditional marketing strategies. Here’s how we make a difference! ✨ 1️⃣ Personalization: Crafting Tailor-Made Journeys Gone are the days of one-size-fits-all travel packages. Modern travelers seek unique, customized experiences that resonate with their interests. We leverage data-driven insights and customer preferences to curate personalized itineraries, ensuring each journey is truly special. 💙 2️⃣ Digital Engagement: Connecting with Travelers Online In a digital-first world, having a strong online presence is essential. We use a combination of social media marketing, engaging content, and targeted ads to reach potential travelers. Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn allow us to showcase breathtaking destinations and share inspiring travel stories. 📱💻 3️⃣ Content That Inspires & Informs People don’t just book trips—they dream about them first! Through blogs, travel guides, and video content, we help our audience visualize their next adventure. Storytelling is at the heart of our content strategy, making travel experiences come alive. 📝📸 4️⃣ Building Trust Through Reviews & Word-of-Mouth Trust is everything in the travel industry. We actively encourage our happy clients to share their experiences through testimonials, Google reviews, and social media shoutouts. Word-of-mouth recommendations remain one of the strongest marketing tools, helping us grow authentically. 🌟🗣️ 5️⃣ Strategic Partnerships & Collaborations We believe in the power of collaborations with hotels, airlines, influencers, and tourism boards to enhance our offerings. These partnerships help us provide better deals, exclusive experiences, and added value to our clients. 🤝✈️ 6️⃣ Embracing Technology for Seamless Bookings From AI-powered chatbots to streamlined booking platforms, technology is revolutionizing travel. At PNM Travelling, we utilize modern booking systems, automated reminders, and 24/7 customer support to ensure a hassle-free experience for our travelers. 🏨📅 7️⃣ Sustainability & Responsible Travel Eco-conscious travel is no longer a trend—it’s a necessity. We advocate for sustainable tourism practices, promoting eco-friendly stays, responsible travel behaviors, and community-driven tourism. 🌱🌏 #TravelMarketing #PNMTravelling #MarketingStrategy #LuxuryTravel #CustomerExperience #ExploreTheWorld #TravelIndustry #TailorMadeTravel #AdventureAwaits

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✈️ From hundreds of nights in hotels each year to wandering off the beaten path, travel planning is something I spend an inordinate amount of time on. It’s never just about flights and hotels—it’s about balancing time, location, and the personal touches that make a trip memorable. Historically, that’s been a time-intensive activity. But AI is changing that. The future of travel and hospitality lies in personalization at scale—from itinerary building and real-time recommendations to anticipating what matters most for each traveler. The industry is at an inflection point where data + AI are no longer “nice to have”—they’re becoming the cornerstone of how experiences are designed and delivered. Andrew Wamberg and I collaborated to share our thoughts on how AI is redefining the Travel & Hospitality experience in Databricks’ latest blog, Curious to hear—how do you see AI reshaping your travel experiences? https://lnkd.in/eHgAqfZV

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TWAI Acquires Travello, Advancing Travel Consolidation I am pleased to announce the successful acquisition of Travello, a leading Australia-based tours and activities platform, by TWAI, a U.S.-based travel technology company with a rapidly growing international footprint across India, Asia, and Australia. I was the M&A Broker on the deal. The acquisition strengthens TWAI’s expansion into the global tours, experiences, and activities sector while opening new market access across Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America, and Latin America. Founded in Australia, Travello has emerged as one of the world’s leading social travel platforms. It connects a vibrant community of over 1.2 million users across more than 180 countries, providing access to a curated catalog of 40,000+ experiences and activities spanning six continents. Through strategic integrations with leading reservation systems like Rezdy and FareHarbor, Travello seamlessly connects supply with demand across the tours and activities ecosystem. Its scalable, white-label B2B booking engine empowers a growing network of global travel resellers to efficiently market, sell, and manage inventory at scale. “It’s been a privilege to work closely with both the TWAI and Travello teams to structure this deal,” said Matt Zito, M&A Broker at TSi. “Travello’s consumer reach and digital community are a perfect complement to TWAI’s deep expertise in travel technology and B2B distribution. This acquisition is a strong strategic fit—and a prime example of smart consolidation within the experiential travel space.” Zito added: “Kudos to Ryan Hanly, CEO of Travello, and to Trideep and Moondeep Aggarwal, Co-Founders of TWAI, for their vision and professionalism throughout the process. I believe this partnership will accelerate innovation and scale for both companies.” Travello has raised over $25 million in funding and has rapidly scaled its presence in the global tours and activities market. Its mobile apps consistently rank among the Top 10 travel apps in more than 70 countries. Driven by the post-COVID travel rebound and increasing demand for authentic local experiences, Travello has achieved an impressive average annual growth of 228% in Total Transaction Value (TTV) over the past three years—particularly in the domestic travel segment. About Matt Zito and TSi Matt Zito is the founder of TSi and a leading M&A Broker in the global travel industry. With more than three decades of experience as a travel technology entrepreneur, investor, and strategic advisor, Matt specializes in facilitating mergers, acquisitions, and business sales between buyers and sellers of privately held travel companies. #toursactivities #tours #activities #travelexperiences #socialtravel #traveltech #traveltechnology #acquisitions #b2b #ceo #india #innovation #onlinebooking Follow me. Subscribe to my travel M&A newsletter on LinkedIn. Join my global M&A deal flow network at my website.

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The 2025 Traveler Value Index by Expedia Group is out. It’s a great read for travel professionals across India, Türkiye, and the GCC. Expedia Group’s latest report shows that travel demand is there and it’s evolving fast. 88% of global travelers plan to take a leisure trip in the next 12 months, and 68% say they’ll go international. That’s a 19% jump compared to 2022. Price is no longer the only filter. While 58% of travelers are more budget-conscious, a massive 75% say they’re willing to pay more for a hotel or experience with better reviews. In other words, value now equals trust — not just a lower rate. Social media is shaping decisions in real time. 61% of travelers now discover trip ideas on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube — up from just 35% in 2022. And 73% say influencer content has directly influenced their booking choices. If you’re not investing in your social visibility, you’re invisible to a large share of your future guests. Loyalty is also evolving. It’s no longer confined to points from airlines or hotels. 82% of travelers are open to booking via non-travel loyalty programs — like credit card points or retail partner rewards. Meanwhile, 83% are prioritizing loyalty redemption when planning their next trip. The ecosystem is expanding — are you part of it? For India, this is an opportunity to scale tech-driven personalization, integrate smarter loyalty platforms, and lean into influencer storytelling. The outbound traveler here is connected, curious, and increasingly global in their aspirations. In Türkiye, DMCs and all that are selling this destinaton, can unlock major value by doubling down on authentic experiences and year-round appeal. From culinary routes to cultural depth, Türkiye’s strength lies in experiences that resonate — especially when shared online. In the GCC, where high expectations meet high purchasing power, the winners will be brands that build credibility, consistency, and convenience. Focus on service quality and tiered loyalty that feels premium, not transactional. Travel in 2025 is about meaning, not just movement. Visibility, trust, and emotional connection are now central to conversion. You can read the full report here: Expedia Group 2025 Traveler Value Index – https://lnkd.in/d_zeX-qa

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🚖🤝 Excited to share that ECO Mobility has entered into a strategic partnership with Awfis Space Solutions Limited, India’s largest flex workspace provider! This collaboration will enable Awfis to offer premium cab services and employee transportation solutions to its clients across 175+ centres nationwide. Whether it’s *Home-office-home employee transport *Airport & intercity transfers *Subscription-based cabs for flexible shift timings *Chauffeur-driven premium vehicles for leadership teams Eco Mobility’s tech-enabled, safety-first transport services will now be available as an added convenience to Awfis clients. **Coming together to shape the future of work**, this partnership reflects our shared commitment to delivering seamless, end-to-end experiences for modern workplaces. Looking forward to moving people and possibilities together. 🚀 Amit Ramani Sumit Lakhani Gaurav Malik, MCR Aditya Loomba Deepali DeV 🧿Rajnish Sharma Sanjay Sharma Manu Dhir #Partnership #EcoMobility #Awfis #FlexibleWorkspaces #CorporateTravel #EmployeeTransport #ChauffeurDriven #MobilitySolutions #WorkplaceExperience #facilitymanagement #travelmanagement https://lnkd.in/g8Wirp-B

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Exciting times ahead for Air India Express (AIX) as it gears up for explosive growth with virtual interline partnerships and an all-economy fleet upgrade! ✈️ With the Dohop -powered AIX Connect platform, AIX is expanding its network and offering seamless travel options for passengers. This is a fantastic opportunity for airlines looking to collaborate and tap into India’s fast-growing aviation market. If you're an airline interested in partnering with AIX, let’s connect and explore opportunities together! Read more about AIX's ambitious plans: https://lnkd.in/eYDi8j6h #AirIndiaExpress #Aviation #Partnerships #Dohop #AIXConnect #TravelTech #Growth #Airlines #virtualinterlines #alternativeairlines

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🌍 After World Travel Market (WTM) London, Amy Read, Sabre Hospitality’s Vice President of Innovation, shared exclusive insights with Devika Jeet, Director of DDP Publications Pvt Ltd. They explored how technology is transforming hospitality, from hyper-personalisation and AI tools to sustainability and inclusivity driving the industry forward. 📖 Read the full article and watch the video for a summary >>> https://lnkd.in/eUwT_Z4u #HospitalityInnovation #TravelTech #Sustainability #Personalisation #AI #LuxuryTravel #SabreHospitality #Sabre #TogetherWeMakeTravelHappen #HospitalityTrends #FutureOfTravel #WTMLondon #DigitalTransformation #InnovationInTravel #DataDrivenHospitality #SmartTech #GuestExperience #SustainableTravel #TravelInnovation #HyperPersonalisation #HospitalityLeadership Cassidy Smith-Broyles Kristin Hays Nick Jeffery Guy Barnes Jacqueline Sechser Sabre Corporation

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We are delighted to announce our next-generation, real-time API integration with IHG Hotels & Resorts, making it faster & easier to book meetings & group stays at over 6,600+ IHG properties worldwide. This integration streamlines RFP management, enables custom promotions for preferred clients, and enhances visibility into spend, compliance and hotel usage across their organizations. A major step forward in simplifying group travel and meetings for corporate clients, powered by hubli and IHG Hotels & Resorts. #GroupTravel #MeetingsMadeEasy #IHG #hubli #APIIntegration https://lnkd.in/em5p5XEp

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Traditional travel agencies are evolving like never before Gone are the days of manual bookings and paper itineraries. 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲'𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱: → Adoption of AI-powered chatbots for instant customer support → Integration of dynamic pricing tools to stay competitive → Utilization of CRM systems for personalized customer experiences → Adoption of SaaS platforms like TravClan and TBO Tek for streamlined operations 𝗟𝗲𝘁'𝘀 𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗶𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹: 1. 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗻𝗼𝗿𝗺 ↳ AI chatbots handle inquiries 24/7, enhancing customer satisfaction ↳ Dynamic pricing adjusts rates in real-time based on demand and trends ↳ CRM systems track customer preferences, enabling tailored offerings 2. 𝗦𝗮𝗮𝗦 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗲-𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀 ↳ TravClan provides B2B solutions, connecting agents with suppliers efficiently ↳ TBO Tek offers a vast inventory, simplifying bookings for agents ↳ These platforms reduce operational costs and increase scalability 3. 𝗕𝟮𝗕 𝘃𝘀. 𝗕𝟮𝗖 𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 ↳ B2B: Focus on building networks, offering competitive rates, and bulk bookings ↳ B2C: Emphasis on user-friendly interfaces, personalized deals, and loyalty programs ↳ Both sectors leverage technology to enhance user experience and drive growth 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀: → Embrace digital tools to stay relevant in a competitive market → Invest in training staff to adapt to new technologies → Collaborate with tech platforms to expand service offerings → Focus on delivering personalized experiences to retain customers The travel landscape is changing rapidly. Agencies that adapt will thrive; those that resist may be left behind. 2025 is the year of digital transformation in travel. Implementing technology isn't optional nowadays It's essential. PS: If you don't want to miss out on evolving things in travel industry then don't forget to follow Soundar Rajan #TravelTech #DigitalTransformation #TravelAgencies #AIinTravel #SaaSPlatforms #B2BTravel #B2CTravel #CustomerExperience 

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