Cleartrip, one of India’s leading online travel agencies (OTAs), is gearing up to meet growing consumer demand with new offerings, tapping into the largely untapped segments of bus travel and international tourism. In an exclusive interview with ET Travel World, Anuj Rathi, Chief Business & Growth Officer at Cleartrip, shared insights on the brand’s strategy, upcoming plans, and how technological advancements are shaping the future of travel.
Rathi, who recently joined Cleartrip, expressed enthusiasm about the company’s evolution. “We’ve expanded into buses, and this is an area with immense potential,” he said, adding that there are 10 times more bus travelers than air travellers, with most bus bookings still happening offline. Cleartrip aims to digitise this market by providing seamless online booking experiences. He highlighted, “With offline bookings still being dominant, we see a significant opportunity to tap into this segment.”
The company registered a phenomenal 150 per cent growth in the bus category, since its launch in April 2023. This impressive growth highlights the strong demand for bus travel, especially from tier 2 cities. Riding on the opportunity in this category, Cleartrip has also launched ‘Bus Pass’, an industry-first offering to make bus travel more affordable for its customers.
Beyond buses, Rathi pointed out Cleartrip’s growing focus on corporate travel. “Our agency and corporate business have both doubled, especially catering to SMEs,” he explained. Cleartrip is also enhancing its offerings for smaller enterprises with tools like Trip Planner, providing a one-stop solution for all travel needs, from flights to hotels, buses, and corporate travel.
Growth in domestic & international travel
Despite global economic uncertainty, the travel industry remains buoyant, with consumers willing to spend more on experiences. “The shift we saw post-COVID was not just revenge travel but a permanent change. People now value experiences over material goods,” said Rathi. Cleartrip has seen an increase in the number of trips users are taking per year, indicating a shift toward more experiential travel. “Even with rising airfares, demand remains strong, and people are planning well in advance,” he noted.
Rathi also shared that international travel is becoming a key focus for the company. “India has over 10 crore passport holders, but only 3 crore of them have traveled internationally. That leaves a huge growth opportunity,” he said. Cleartrip sees a surge in demand for international destinations like Thailand, Malaysia, and the Middle East, with newer destinations such as Almaty and Tokyo also gaining interest.
Festive season bonanza
Cleartrip is preparing for the festive season with its participation in the Big Billion Days, Flipkart’s annual sales event. Rathi emphasised that this period marks a significant increase in travel bookings. “During this time, we offer discounts on domestic flights starting from INR 999, international fares from INR 6000, and 5-star hotels from just INR 2,499,” he revealed. Deals like “Child Flies Free” are expected to attract more families to book travel during the festive season.
This surge is not just reflective of increased travel numbers, but a broader recovery of India’s domestic aviation sector. The number of travellers has more than doubled, as people across the country are preparing to visit family and celebrate the festival of lights. On average, passengers are booking their trips 27 days in advance, securing flights to some of India’s most popular destinations during Diwali.
According to Rathi, festive events like Diwali, Durga Puja, and Ganesh Chaturthi have already sparked a surge in travel. “This is a sweet spot for travelers to book their year-end plans in advance,” he said.
Future forward?
Looking ahead, Rathi sees artificial intelligence (AI) as a major game changer in the travel industry. “AI can assist at every stage of a traveler’s journey, from inspiration to discovery, planning, booking, and even sharing their experience,” he said. Cleartrip has integrated AI into various areas, including booking, customer support, and even creating personalized itineraries. Rathi added, “We’ve launched a tool called Trippy, which helps users plan their trips, and we’re seeing good traction with it.”
Cleartrip is also using AI-driven chatbots to handle customer queries and escalations, further enhancing the customer experience. “AI will not only assist but, in some cases, completely disrupt the traditional ways of booking and planning travel,” he remarked.
As the travel landscape continues to evolve, Cleartrip is committed to staying ahead of trends by offering innovative products, expanding its reach into new segments, and leveraging cutting-edge technology. “We’re excited about the future and our plans to make travel more accessible and personalized for everyone,” concluded Rathi.
With a robust pipeline, exciting festive season offers, and a strong focus on emerging travel trends, Cleartrip is well-positioned to continue its growth trajectory.
