This World Tourism Day, here’s an ode to 5 Indian companies that made a difference to the tourism scene in India

According to a World Economic Forum report, across the world, as many as 81% of millennials and 79% of Generation X value experiences more than material goods. Historically, in India, tourism sat on the periphery due to tedious and long bureaucratic processes and poor infrastructure. Nevertheless, today it is one of the thriving sectors that contributes nearly 10% of the country’s GDP and is estimated to be a $493 billion industry by 2028, stated a study by World Travel and Tourism Council.

India is home to the world’s largest millennial working population that is predominantly tech-savvy. Realising the full potential of this vast opportunity, some Indian companies are evangelising the way aspiring young Indians travel. This World Tourism Day, let’s celebrate 5 organizations that have given a fillip to India’s tourism by making travel affordable, hassle-free and encouraged Indians to embrace globetrotting:

MakeMyTrip

The Indian travel and tourism ecosystem has evolved with the adoption of mobile technologies. One of the first entrants and a pioneer in India’s online travel industry, MakeMyTrip empowered domestic travellers with the convenience of instant bookings and comprehensive choices, right from flights, hotels to experiences, all under one roof. Today, it is enabling millions of trips each day.

OYO

Another player that transformed tourism in India is OYO Hotels & Homes with its varied offerings to suit the needs of every travelling millennial. OYO is India’s largest, world’s third-largest and fastest-growing chain of leased and franchised hotels, homes, living and workspaces. With its innovative business model backed by technological and operational capabilities, OYO is catering to travellers across the spectrum - including millennials, corporates and young professionals looking for housing rentals or business hotels, backpackers, luxury and leisure travellers, etc.

IndiGO

In 2006, the airline commenced operations at a time when the Indian aviation industry was going through its lowest. Fast forward to the present, with a huge fleet of aircraft, IndiGO offers over thousands of daily flights and connects several domestic and international destinations. The low-cost carrier catapulted tourism in India by introducing air connectivity/routes across lesser-known destinations of India. Recently, FICCI recognized IndiGO’s contribution to Travel & Tourism in India by felicitating the carrier with the ‘Best Domestic Airline’ award for its efforts in innovation and entrepreneurship.

Ola

Ola, another Indian startup that made commute/transit convenient for travellers. The cab-hailing app is present across several cities across the country and is the preferred choice for first and last-mile connectivity across tourist destinations that lacked an organized transportation system.

White-Collar Hippie

Curating immersive experiences for new-age Indian travellers, White Collar Hippie, an offbeat travel company started by Sachin Parikh and Vikrant Chheda introduced a wave of opportunities for the ones who are bitten by the wanderlust bug. Today, WCH has become the preferred choice for adventure enthusiasts and passionate travellers who opt for organized, diverse experiences like trekking, hiking and much more.

India, a country endowed with diverse landscapes and culture has a lot to offer the new-age traveller. While digital technologies like MakeMyTrip, OYO, Ola accelerated the growth of tourism and hospitality in India, there’s still immense potential for the industry to blossom. This World Tourism Day, let’s pledge to travel and explore our very own, incredible India!