Peden Doma Bhutia

Peden Doma Bhutia is Asia Editor at Skift, where she covers the travel industry across Southeast Asia and the broader Asia-Pacific region. Based in India, she reports on airlines, online travel companies, hospitality, travel technology and the business of travel, with a focus on how emerging markets are shaping global trends.

Online Travel

MakeMyTrip Moves Closer to ‘Travel Superapp’ Vision with Experiences Launch

While MakeMyTrip’s success hinges on how well it stitches together a seamless travel journey, one thing's clear: India’s biggest online travel agency wants to own the full journey. And it's betting that travelers are ready for that.

Peden Doma Bhutia | 11 months ago

Hotels

Inside Asia Pacific’s Lifestyle Hotel Surge, And Who’s Leading It

Lifestyle hotels in Asia Pacific are no longer a niche. They’re now part of the mainstream. It would be interesting to see how traditional hotel brands adapt to this.

Peden Doma Bhutia | 11 months ago

Online Travel

MakeMyTrip Raises $3.1  Billion to Shrink Trip.com Group’s Stake

MakeMyTrip is decisively paring its long‑time investor’s stake on the business. And as more buybacks could come before year‑end, Trip.com Group’s influence looks set to keep shrinking.

Peden Doma Bhutia | 11 months ago

Tourism

U.S. Passport Power Slips: See Which Countries Are Gaining Ground

The 2025 Henley Passport Index makes one thing clear: travel freedom isn’t just a Western advantage anymore. And that shift isn’t just about where people go on a holiday, it matters for companies, governments, and industries that rely on people being able to move easily across borders.

Peden Doma Bhutia | 11 months ago

An iPhone screen with multiple artificial intelligence apps.

Online Travel

We Asked 5 Online Travel Agencies in India How They’re Really Using AI

AI is here to stay in the travel industry, but for now it’s as an assistant, not a replacement. Travel has too many moving parts, so when things go wrong, or a big trip is on the line, travelers still tend to trust a specialist.

Peden Doma Bhutia | 11 months ago

Ground Transport

Uber’s New Way to Reach Chinese Travelers Runs Through WeChat

Uber has found its way back to users in China, just not on Chinese roads. It's targeting Chinese outbound travelers by partnering with the app nearly everyone in China uses: WeChat.

Peden Doma Bhutia | 11 months ago

Tourism

U.S. Embassy in India Warns Theft Can Get Visa Cancelled After Viral Shoplifting Video

The U.S. isn’t sugarcoating its rules for Indian visitors, and it’s making that crystal clear. Will these warnings spook aspiring travelers, or just remind them to play by the book?

Peden Doma Bhutia | 11 months ago

Hotels

ITC Hotels Gets Board Nod for $381 Million Vizag Hotel

With India facing a shortage of hotel rooms, ITC Hotels' growth push in untapped markets comes at a timely moment.

Peden Doma Bhutia | 11 months ago

Ixigo Group Co-CEO Rajnish Kumar (left) and Group CEO Aloke Bajpai (right).

Online Travel

Ixigo’s AI Mindset: Use Tech Instead of ‘Just Hiring More People’

Expect to see more of this: CEOs want to spend more time showing how they're using AI – and how it's paying off – than discussing the traditional metrics for sales and earnings.

Peden Doma Bhutia | 11 months ago

Travel Technology

The Oyo Connection You Didn’t Know Shah Rukh Khan’s Family Has

It’s not every day that the cap table of a hospitality tech startup reads like a Bollywood afterparty guest list. But Oyo seems to be pulling that off. If the company ever does IPO, red carpets at the listing ceremony won’t be metaphorical.

Peden Doma Bhutia | 11 months ago