Trade Bytes

Travelguru rolls out 6 retail outlets

Chetan Kapoor - Mumbai

Amit Kapoor Assistant VP, Business Development

Following in the foot steps of competitive online travel agent (OTA) companies, Travelguru.com has entered the offline space by setting up six retail outlets across the country. In a recent development, Amit Kapoor, assistant vice president, Business Development, Travelguru.com disclosed to Express TravelWorld, "We have recently opened six retail outlets of 'Travelguru Holidays' across India - Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Indore and Ludhiana - and in due course of time, we wish to target other metros, tier II cities by September and depending on their success, we may also look at franchising options." Their Mumbai outlet is located at Nirmal Lifestyle in Mulund.

While the quintessential argument of the OTAs making headway to offline channels continues to question the ability to do business online, Kapoor believes that the move is an extension to the business and further adds to the value rendered by the travel company. "Many a times, there are various interactions and communications to be done before closing the deal and Indian travellers spending huge amounts prefer meeting in person than buying online. Also with more OTAs coming in to play, smaller agents are dying out and therefore we need to reach out to those customers by creating a greater brand presence."

The stores would offer travel services such as hotel and flight bookings, holiday packages, car rentals, etc and will be manned by two-three travel officers or consultants per outlet. "Selling domestic and international high-end holiday products will be our focus and having an offline platform makes it easier to do so," he said. While Kapoor refused to divulge financial details to set up the offline venture, he was quite upbeat about the return on investment with the acquisition of new customers and other branding opportunities.