MakeMyTrip Puts a Brave Face on Booking.com Encroachment
Photo Credit: MakeMyTrip founder and CEO Deep Kalra believes his company has an advantage over foreign competitors because of its deep knowledge of the India market. MakeMyTrip
Skift Take
In India, market leader MakeMyTrip is betting on a multi-pronged strategy to defend itself against the intrusion of Booking.com on its turf. Execution matters. But so does the patience of MakeMyTrip's key backer, Ctrip.
This year MakeMyTrip has shown double-digit growth in revenue for airline tickets, hotels and vacation packages.
But the India-based company, operating at a net loss so far this year, is also beginning to see the effect of global giant Booking.com ramping up its hotel inventory in the country.
MakeMyTrip founder and chief executive Deep Kalra said that in India's premium segments — such as four-star, five-star, and major chain properties — Priceline Group-owned agency Booking.com is adding hotels at a rapid pace.
"Booking is not a company which we take lightly," Kalra said during his company's quarterly earnings call earlier this month.
While MakeMyTrip has an advantage in domestic bookings made by Indians and in outbound travel, Booking.com has an edge in its big inbound business to India. It also has far more marketing and engineering firepower.
Flights Versus Hotels, Price Versus Loyalty
There's another difference: Booking.com drives the vast majority of its booki
