India is a diverse and vibrant country that offers many attractions and experiences for travellers. India has something for everyone, from the majestic Himalayas to the serene backwaters, from the ancient temples to the modern skyscrapers, from the colourful festivals to the exotic cuisines.
But how do you choose the best travel company to plan your trip to India? Hundreds of tour operators and travel agencies in India offer different packages and services. How do you know which is reliable, trustworthy, and suitable for your needs and budget?
To help you with this dilemma, we have compiled a list of India’s top 10 travel companies based on their turnover, customer reviews, product portfolio, and reputation. These companies have been in the industry for a long time, have a wide network of offices and partners, have a high standard of quality and service, and have a loyal customer base. Whether you are looking for a group, private, customised, or self-drive tour, these companies can cater to your preferences and expectations.
See also: Top Polymer companies in India
Tourism sector in India
Tourism is one of the key sectors of the Indian economy, contributing significantly to the GDP, employment, foreign exchange earnings, and social development. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), tourism generated US$247.3 billion in 2018, accounting for 9.2% of India’s GDP. It also supported 42.7 million jobs, which is 8.1% of the total employment in India. Tourism also earned US$28.9 billion in foreign exchange, which is 5.4% of the total exports of India.
The tourism sector in India has been growing steadily over the years, driven by various factors such as rising disposable income, increasing internet penetration, improving infrastructure, easing visa policies, diversifying product offerings, and promoting niche segments such as medical tourism, adventure tourism, rural tourism, etc. The government has also taken several initiatives to boost tourism, such as launching campaigns like Incredible India and Dekho Apna Desh, developing circuits like Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD, creating special zones like UDAN and TEZAS, and providing incentives like e-visa and tax benefits.
Read also: Top capital goods companies in India
Top tourism companies in India
Discover the most popular tourism companies in India.
Tourism companies in India #1: MakeMyTrip
Industry: Travel and Tourism
Sub Industry: Online Travel Agency
Company Type: Public
Location: Sector 7, Gurugram, Haryana 122001
Founding Date: 2005
MakeMyTrip is a leading online travel company in India, offering a wide range of travel services, including flights, hotels, buses, trains, cabs, holiday packages, and visa assistance. With over 40 million customers, MakeMyTrip operates in India, the UAE, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. Notably, MakeMyTrip is the parent company of Goibibo and redBus.
Tourism companies in India #2: Yatra
Industry: Travel and Tourism
Sub Industry: Online Travel Agency
Company Type: Public
Location: Bengaluru, Karnataka, India 560030
Founding Date: 2007
Yatra is a popular online travel company in India, offering a comprehensive solution for all travel needs. Yatra provides domestic and international flights, hotels, homestays, activities, trains, buses, car rentals, and holiday packages. Additionally, Yatra offers a loyalty program called Yatra eCash, rewarding customers for their bookings and boasting partnerships with over 100,000 hotels and 15,000 activities worldwide.
Tourism companies in India #3: Cleartrip
Industry: Travel and Tourism
Sub Industry: Online Travel Agency
Company Type: Private
Location: 9th floor, Tower A Embassy Tech Village, Devarabeesanahalli, ORR, Bangalore – 560103
Founding Date: 2005
Cleartrip is an online travel company dedicated to simplifying travel. Their services encompass flights, hotels, trains, buses, cabs, and activities across India and the Middle East. Cleartrip also offers a user-friendly mobile app for on-the-go bookings and has received numerous awards for its innovative products and services.
Tourism companies in India #4: EaseMyTrip
Industry: Travel and Tourism
Sub Industry: Online Travel Agency
Company Type: Private
Location: Patparganj, New Delhi, Delhi, 110092
Founding Date: 2006
EaseMyTrip is an online travel company specialising in affordable travel solutions. Their offerings include flights, hotels, buses, cabs, holiday packages, and visa services in India and internationally. EaseMyTrip boasts a referral program, enabling customers to earn rewards for inviting friends and family to the platform, with a commitment to no convenience fees or hidden charges.
Tourism companies in India #5: Ixigo
Industry: Travel and Tourism
Sub Industry: Online Travel Agency
Company Type: Private
Location: Gurugram, Haryana, India
Founding Date: 2014
Ixigo is an online travel company aggregating and comparing travel information from various sources. They help customers find the best deals on flights, hotels, trains, buses, cabs, packages, and activities. Additionally, ixigo offers a smart travel assistant, ixibaba, which uses artificial intelligence to answer travel queries. Ixigo boasts over 200 million users and partnerships with 150 travel industry partners.
Tourism companies in India #6: Expedia
Industry: Travel and Tourism
Sub Industry: Online Travel Agency
Company Type: Public (a subsidiary of Booking Holdings)
Location: Udyog Vihar, Sector 20, Gurugram, Haryana 122008
Founding Date: 1996 (entered India in 2008)
Expedia is one of the world’s largest online travel companies, operating in over 200 countries and territories. Their services include flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises, vacation rentals, and activities through their website and mobile app. Expedia owns various travel brands like Hotels.com, Trivago, Orbitz, Travelocity, and Hotwire, with a loyalty program, Expedia Rewards, awarding points to customers for bookings.
Tourism companies in India #7: Travelguru
Industry: Travel and Tourism
Sub Industry: Online Travel Agency
Company Type: Private
Location: Mulund (West), Mumbai – 400080
Founding Date: 2005
Travelguru specialises in hotel bookings in India and abroad, featuring over 60,000 hotels and homestays across 1,100 cities. They also provide holiday packages and travel deals and offer 24/7 customer support.
Tourism companies in India #8: Thrillophilia
Industry: Travel and Tourism
Sub Industry: Online Travel Agency
Company Type: Private
Location: Sitapura, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302022
Founding Date: 2011
Thrillophilia curates and sells adventure and experiential tours in India and abroad, with over 25,000 activities across 200 destinations. They also maintain a blog featuring travel stories and guides. Thrillophilia boasts a community of over 5 million travellers and 10,000 local experiences.
Tourism companies in India #9: Thomas Cook India
Industry: Travel and Tourism
Sub Industry: Travel, Tourism, E-commerce
Company Type: Private
Location: Lower Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra – 400013
Founding Date: 1881
Thomas Cook (India) commenced operations in Bombay in 1881, transitioning to a private Ltd. travel company in October 1978. Known for pioneering package tours globally, they offer diverse services such as foreign exchange, vacation packages, visa aid, passport services, travel insurance, and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) events.
Tourism companies in India #10: Akbar Holidays
Industry: Travel and Tourism
Sub Industry: Travel, Tourism, E-commerce
Company Type: Private
Location: RD Street Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra- 400001
Founding Date: 1978
Akbar Travels of India provides world-class service and entire travel solutions. Akbar Holidays caters to individuals, families, and groups with a wide range of products and services such as guided group tours, customised holidays, India holidays, and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) events.
Tourism companies in India #11: Riya Travel & Tours
Industry: Travel and Tourism
Sub Industry: Travel, Tourism, E-commerce
Company Type: Private
Location: Andheri East, Mumbai, Maharashtra – 400059
Founding Date: 1992
Riya Travel & Tour is a major travel company that caters to the needs of travel partners in India, Canada, the UAE, and the US. Riya Travel & Tour is an established company in the travel and tourism industry, offering over 15 travel options to customers.
Commercial and real estate demand
Tourism significantly influences India’s commercial and real estate sectors. Key factors include expansion strategies, operational efficiency, location preferences, employee welfare policies, and sustainability goals.
Tourism giants require substantial, strategically located offices in major cities like Delhi NCR, Mumbai, and Bangalore. They may also set up regional offices in smaller towns. Diverse office space needs lead to choices between prime business districts and cost-effective alternatives, sometimes favouring co-working spaces for flexibility.
Rental property requirements depend on employee count, retention strategies, travel frequency, and accommodation preferences. Some companies offer housing allowances, while others encourage employees to find their lodging or arrange temporary accommodations like hotels or homestays.
These tourism giants influence the real estate market by investing in hotels, resorts, serviced apartments, and more to enhance customer experiences. Some collaborate with developers for tourism-focused properties, diversifying revenue streams. Corporate social responsibility initiatives support projects like schools and hospitals, enhancing their brand image.
Impact of top tourism companies in India
The top tourism companies in India significantly impact the country’s economy, society, and environment. They contribute to the economic growth, employment generation, foreign exchange earnings, infrastructure development, and regional integration of India. They also promote India’s cultural diversity, social inclusion, and heritage preservation. They also adopt various measures to reduce their environmental footprint, conserve natural resources, and mitigate climate change.
The top tourism companies in India must constantly strive to improve their quality, service, value, and differentiation. They must leverage their strengths, overcome weaknesses, exploit opportunities, and counter threats. They must create a loyal customer base, a strong brand identity, a competitive edge, and a sustainable future.
Housing.com POV
The tourism sector in India thrives amidst the country’s rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes and vibrant attractions. With numerous travel companies catering to a wide array of preferences and budgets, planning a trip to India has never been more accessible. From online giants like MakeMyTrip and Yatra to specialised agencies like Thrillophilia and Thomas Cook, travellers have ample options to choose from. These top tourism companies not only facilitate seamless travel experiences but also contribute significantly to India’s economy, generating revenue, creating jobs and fostering regional integration. Their impact extends beyond financial gains, as they promote cultural diversity, heritage preservation and environmental sustainability. As the tourism industry continues to evolve, embracing emerging trends like ecotourism and adventure tourism, travellers can look forward to more enriching and responsible travel experiences. With ongoing efforts to enhance quality, service and sustainability, India’s top tourism companies are poised to shape the future of travel, ensuring memorable journeys for generations to come.
FAQs
What is tourism and how is it defined?
Tourism refers to travelling for leisure, recreation, exploration, or the pursuit of unique experiences. It involves individuals or groups visiting places outside their usual residence for a limited duration, often to enjoy the destination's attractions, culture, and natural beauty.
What are the different types of tourism, and how do they vary?
Several types of tourism include Leisure Tourism, which involves travel for relaxation and enjoyment. Adventure Tourism: It includes activities like hiking, rafting, and extreme sports. Cultural Tourism: Travellers explore a place's heritage, art, and traditions. Ecotourism: Focuses on nature conservation and responsible travel. Medical Tourism: Travelling for medical treatments or wellness. Business Tourism: Travel for conferences, meetings, and work-related purposes.
What are the top tourist destinations in the world?
Some of the top tourist destinations globally include Paris, New York City, Rome, Bali, Barcelona, Tokyo, and many others. These destinations attract millions of tourists due to their rich culture, historical significance, natural beauty, and diverse attractions.
What are the benefits of tourism for a country's economy and culture?
Tourism can significantly benefit a country's economy by generating revenue, creating jobs, and boosting local businesses. It also fosters cultural exchange, promoting worldwide understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures.
What is sustainable tourism, and why is it important?
Sustainable tourism focuses on minimising negative environmental, social, and cultural impacts while promoting the well-being of local communities. Protecting natural resources, preserving cultural heritage, and ensuring tourism benefits are distributed equitably is vital.
What are some of the top travel companies in India?
Some top travel companies include MakeMyTrip, Yatra, and Cleartrip.
What are some popular travel trends in recent years, such as ecotourism and adventure tourism?
Recent travel trends include Ecotourism: Travellers seek destinations with minimal environmental impact. Adventure Tourism: The thrill of outdoor activities and exploration. Wellness Tourism: Focuses on health and relaxation. Culinary Tourism: Exploring local cuisines and culinary experiences.
How do I plan a trip, including booking flights, accommodations, and activities?
Planning a trip involves setting a budget, choosing a destination, booking flights and accommodations, creating an itinerary, and researching activities and attractions. Many online resources and travel agencies can assist in the planning process.
What are the key factors to consider when choosing a travel destination?
When selecting a travel destination, consider your interests, budget, time available, climate, safety, and cultural aspects.
Which is the top travel company in India?
Currently, MakeMyTrip is a top online travel company in India, ranking among the top 10 travel companies in the country and serving more than 10 million customers.
How many tourism-related companies exist in India?
According to AmbitionBox there are 347+ travel and tourism companies operating in India.
Who are the top travel agents in India?
Various tourism companies like MakeMyTrip, Yatra, ClearTrip, EasemyTrip, Expedia, Thomas Cook, Riya Travels, Akbar Travels and Thrillophilia are some of the top travel agents in India.
What is India's position in the tourist industry?
In 2021, India secured the 54th position in the Travel and Tourism Development Index, with its ranking and rating determined by factors encompassing the industry's supportive ecosystem, governmental policies, infrastructure quality, stimuli for demand, and commitment to sustainability.
What kind of tourism is well-known in India?
India's renowned cultural heritage and aura of mystique draw tourists from around the world who seek to immerse themselves in this captivating experience. Among the array of cultural events and festivities that beckon travellers in India are the Pushkar fair held in Rajasthan, Taj Mahotsav celebrated in Uttar Pradesh, and the SurajKund mela held in Haryana.
| Got any questions or point of view on our article? We would love to hear from you. Write to our Editor-in-Chief Jhumur Ghosh at jhumur.ghosh1@housing.com |
