Cleartrip, one of India’s leading online travel agencies, has achieved a significant milestone in the online travel agency (OTA) market by entering into a noteworthy agreement with InterGlobe Technology Quotient (ITQ), the distributor of Travelport in India. This strategic partnership underscores Cleartrip’s commitment to establishing itself as a dominant player in the OTA sector by harnessing Travelport’s cutting-edge travel technology solutions. Read on to discover more about this exciting development.
In a momentous move, Cleartrip has solidified its position in the OTA industry by signing an agreement with ITQ, Travelport’s distributor for India. This collaboration aligns with Cleartrip’s vision to disrupt the OTA market and pioneer industry-leading innovations for its valued customers. Through this agreement, Cleartrip gains access to Travelport’s powerful travel technology platform, thereby enhancing its services for a larger customer base.
The agreement was formalized during a press conference held in Gurugram, India, attended by Ayyappan Rajagopal, CEO of Cleartrip; Sandeep Dwivedi, Chief Operating Officer of ITQ; and Mark Meehan, Global Vice President and Managing Director for Global Operators at Travelport. This landmark agreement was hailed as a pivotal moment that paves the way for future collaborations and an enhanced customer experience.
Ayyappan Rajagopal, CEO of Cleartrip, expressed his enthusiasm about simplifying the travel industry and utilizing innovation to accelerate travel technology. He emphasized that this partnership with ITQ marks a significant step toward achieving these goals.
During the press conference, Rajagopal also shed light on how the travel landscape has evolved post-COVID, presenting new challenges and opportunities. Cleartrip is committed to setting new industry standards by converting challenges into opportunities. Rajagopal highlighted Cleartrip’s offerings such as CT Flexmax, CT Flex, and CT Upgrade, which aim to increase customer satisfaction and position Cleartrip as the leading OTA in the air travel sector while simultaneously expanding its hotel accommodations and on-ground services.
Sandeep Dwivedi, COO of ITQ, emphasized two pivotal trends in the travel industry: customers’ desire for flexibility and their increasing enthusiasm for exploration. He stressed the importance of prioritizing flexible booking options, instant cancellations, hassle-free refunds, and an enhanced travel experience to meet evolving customer expectations.
Rajagopal also discussed Cleartrip’s strategy for achieving threefold growth, emphasizing their commitment to introducing innovative ideas every quarter. Cleartrip’s focus on customer satisfaction remains at the heart of their strategy, aligning with both post-COVID recovery and pre-COVID demands.
When asked about their expectations from the partnership, Rajagopal expressed Cleartrip’s ambition to lead the OTA market, with Mark Meehan, Global Vice President and Managing Director for Global Operators at Travelport, highlighting India’s vast potential for innovation and growth in the travel sector.
Rajagopal summarized Cleartrip’s rebranding efforts, emphasizing their commitment to enhancing the customer experience. Through offerings like CT Flexmax, CT Flex, CT Upgrade, CT Big Billion Days, and CT Advantage, Cleartrip aims to bring much-needed innovation to the Indian OTA market.
In response to questions about changes in the aviation and travel industries, Dwivedi highlighted the dynamic nature of the Indian OTA space, where demand drives supply. He noted the significant surge in staycations and increased hotel bookings, illustrating the industry’s transformative changes.