Indian online travel agency, MakeMyTrip, has signed an agreement with InterGlobe Technology (ITQ)—Travelport’s distributor for India—for the use of Travelport's Travel Commerce Platform.
Under the agreement, MakeMyTrip can expand the use of Travelport's technology from the Ibibo Group to MakeMyTrip's other primary distribution channels starting in the second half of calendar year 2017. MakeMyTrip acquired 100% equity interest in Ibibo Group in January of this year.
Anil Parashar, president and CEO of ITQ, says:
"MakeMyTrip is a tremendous partner for us and we are delighted to be building on the good work we started with Ibibo Group which is now part of the MakeMyTrip Group.”
Through its combined brands, MakeMyTrip, Goibibo and redBus, MakeMyTrip receives more than 33 million visits each month on its desktop and mobile-web platforms.
Working with ITQ, which serves as TravelPort’s distributor in India, Bhutan and Sri Lanka, the partners will deliver MakeMyTrip real-time travel content to approximately 400 airlines, including merchandising elements like fares families and ancillary products like paid seat assignments, baggage fees, and priority boarding.
Travelport has focused on growing its market share in India, including through a deal with Indian LCC Indigo signed last year.
The distribution giant reported a 2% increase in revenue for its Travel Commerce Platform for the second quarter of this year, reaching $584 million. Gains in the APAC region, including deals with Yatra and Indigo in India are credited for a significant portion of that growth.
Gordon Wilson, Travelport's president and CEO says:
”India is a market with enormous growth potential where Travelport, working with our distributor ITQ, has grown in air booking terms by 14% in the first half of 2017 when the GDS air market has grown by 11%.
Securing a partnership with the leading online travel agency in the market, with a high growth profile and tremendous track record, gives even further impetus to our plans in the country."