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Tag: Skyscanner

  • SKY’s the limit as Skyscanner signs Suryakumar Yadav as brand face

    SKY’s the limit as Skyscanner signs Suryakumar Yadav as brand face

    MUMBAI: When cricket’s Mr. 360 takes flight, you know it’s not just sixes soaring into the stands. Suryakumar Yadav, soon to lead India in the Asia Cup, has just been unveiled as Skyscanner’s first-ever brand ambassador in India bringing his flair for all-round play to the world of travel.

    The partnership is no shot in the dark. With nearly half of Indians (47 per cent) willing to travel just to watch cricket live, sport-led tourism is booming, as revealed in Skyscanner’s Pitch Perfect Journeys report. Yadav’s adventurous personality and nationwide appeal fit neatly into the travel app’s push to connect with digital-first, lifestyle-hungry audiences. In short, cricket meets check-ins, and boundaries meet boarding passes.

    The tie-up kicks off with a fan-driven contest across Skyscanner India and SKY’s own social media, where travellers are invited to design his ultimate personalised itinerary from hidden gems to underrated hotspots. The 10 most creative plans will win fans an exclusive meet-and-greet with the star himself. For Skyscanner, which opened its first India office only last year, roping in SKY is more than just a marketing play, it’s a bold statement of intent to become India’s go-to travel buddy, whether fans are chasing wickets or wanderlust.

  • Bryan Batista to take flight as Skyscanner’s next CEO, succeeding John Mangelaars

    Bryan Batista to take flight as Skyscanner’s next CEO, succeeding John Mangelaars

    MUMBAI: Skyscanner has named Bryan Batista as its next chief executive officer, effective 1 June 2025. Batista, who currently serves as chief operating officer, will succeed John Mangelaars, who departs after a four-and-a-half-year stint steering the global travel platform through a period of rapid growth and diversification.

    The leadership transition comes as Skyscanner records double-digit growth across flights, accommodation, and car hire, while expanding aggressively into high-growth markets such as India. The company currently serves over 160 million users each month across 180 countries and 37 languages, offering access to more than 1,200 partners in flights, hotels, and car rentals. Rail and package travel offerings have also been added in select markets.

    Mangelaars said, “After four and a half incredible years, I am stepping down as CEO and passing the baton to Bryan. The company is in a great position, and I feel that now is the right time for me personally to make this change and pursue new ventures. I have enormous confidence in Bryan’s leadership and determination to take Skyscanner forward in the next stage of its ambitious growth”.

    Batista joined Skyscanner in January 2024. Prior to that, he led Rentalcars.com and served as SVP of the Trips division at Booking.com, after an earlier leadership stint at Tesla. Since joining Skyscanner, Batista has played a key role in shaping and executing the company’s long-term strategy, which involves scanning 100 billion prices daily to help travellers plan their trips with greater ease and confidence.

    “We built Skyscanner because we are travel geeks at heart”, Batista said. “We love the thrill of exploring new places and we hate the pain of planning. Since joining Skyscanner, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with our incredible teams and travel partners. Stepping into this role is a dream. I get to lead a company that is on a mission to become the world’s number one travel ally”.

    With new products, smarter tools, and category expansions in motion, Batista’s elevation signals a continued focus on making travel discovery more intuitive and rewarding for users worldwide.

  • Skyscanner partners with JioCinema’s Jeeto Dhan Dhana Dhan for India v Bangladesh

    Skyscanner partners with JioCinema’s Jeeto Dhan Dhana Dhan for India v Bangladesh

    Mumbai: JioCinema announces that leading global travel app Skyscanner joins as a partner for ‘Jeeto Dhan Dhana Dhan’, JioCinema’s free-to-play, predict-and-win contest. This partnership marks one of Skyscanner’s first major ventures in the Indian market. Skyscanner will present ‘Jeeto Dhan Dhana Dhan’ during Bangladesh’s tour of India, which features two Test matches and three T20I games from 19 September to 12 October.  

    Through this collaboration, participants can win travel vouchers and discount coupons for domestic and international travel on every matchday of the series, offering widespread opportunities for fans to win exciting prizes. Jeeto Dhan Dhana Dhan, launched during the 2023 season of TATA IPL, became an instant hit, amassing over 100 million users and 2 billion plays to date. Participants have already won more than 100 motor vehicles, 70+ Smart TVs, gold vouchers worth Rs 1.5 crores, and 800 million discount vouchers, making it a fan-favorite gamification feature.  

    With India witnessing a rise in the gamification of content, JioCinema continues to engage and reward fans in collaboration with Skyscanner. Jeeto Dhan Dhana Dhan has set a new benchmark in affiliate marketing, offering brands a powerful combination of branding and performance-driven marketing.  

    “We are proud to have Skyscanner present Jeeto Dhan Dhana Dhan for the India v Bangladesh T20I series,” said a Viacom18 Spokesperson. “Through Jeeto Dhan Dhana Dhan we have gamified content in meaningful ways for sports viewers and are thrilled that Skyscanner sees value in this proposition. To pick Jeeto Dhan Dhana Dhan as their first major partnership for Indian audiences affirms the faith and forward-looking opportunities that brands see in it as a platform.”

    Commenting on the partnership, Skyscanner’s APAC lead for affiliate and performance partnerships, Glosinda Goes said: “We’re excited to partner with JioCinema as an affiliate partner on their popular Jeeto Dhan Dhana Dhan contest. Through this innovative gamification platform, we’re offering cricket fans a chance to win travel vouchers while enjoying the excitement of the match. This collaboration is a fantastic way to engage with our Indian audience and showcase the value of Skyscanner’s travel services.”

    Throughout the India-Bangladesh series, fans can participate by answering questions before every over to win travel vouchers from Goibibo, Paytm, and Happy Fares. Users can join by holding their phones in portrait or landscape mode during the live stream on JioCinema.  

    To continue watching live sports and participate in Jeeto Dhan Dhana Dhan, viewers can download JioCinema on iOS and Android. For the latest updates, news, scores, and videos, fans can follow JioCinema on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and WhatsApp.  

  • Think outside the colour box this Holi and explore these unique activities

    Think outside the colour box this Holi and explore these unique activities

    Mumbai: Looking to add a splash of excitement to your festivities this Holi? While the festival’s usual splashes of colour are undeniably thrilling, who says you can’t have a blast without them? Whether you’re opting for a colour-free celebration for safety reasons or simply want to enjoy the long weekend differently, we’ve curated a lineup of exciting activities to ensure you have a fantastic time. From immersing yourself in audio entertainment to planning your dream getaway and indulging in some delicious treats, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

    Educate, entertain and enrich yourself with audio content on Audible

    If you’re looking for entertainment, downtime with self-care or some self-development, Audible has got you covered with its diverse range of audio content. Be it romance, thriller, horror, comedy or self-help, there’s something for everyone to tune in to. Check out star-studded audio series such as the four seasons of ‘Marvel’s Wastelanders’ in Hindi or dive into shows like ‘Desi Down Under,’ or ‘Little Things: Jab Dhruv Met Kavya,’ which will transport you to a different world. Well, not just this, you can take advantage of the day indoors to pamper yourself and get that skincare regime in place by listening to tips from experts like Vasudha Rai or Jaishree Sharad from their audiobooks too. Alternatively, seize the opportunity to finally dive into that audiobook that has been sitting in your content library for ages.

    Tick some titles off your watchlist on Amazon Prime Video

    In the era of endless streaming options, there’s no shortage of binge-worthy content to dive into, making it the ultimate way to unwind during the Holi festivities. Whether you’re a sucker for suspenseful thrillers, heartwarming dramas, or gut-busting comedies, the vast array of web series and films across platforms like Amazon Prime Video guarantee there’s something for every taste. Consider adding recent releases like ‘Big Girls Don’t Cry,’ ‘Poacher’, ‘Indian Police Force’ and the upcoming release, ‘Ae Watan Mere Watan,’ to your Holi watchlist. So, grab your popcorn, pull the curtains, and get ready for a cinematic adventure right in the comfort of your own home!

    Take that trip you’ve been dreaming of with Skyscanner!

    Thinking of a quick getaway this weekend? Utilise the time off to plan an unforgettable trip with Skyscanner. For a relaxing getaway to a serene hill station or an adventurous international escapade, Skyscanner has got you covered. A recent survey by Skyscanner’s Travel in Focus Report 2023 revealed that 56% of Indians would squeeze in as many small trips as possible at the same price, rather than one big holiday. If you’re the same, then this weekend is for you. Plus, with a little bit of planning in advance, you can snag amazing deals and score big savings on your travel expenses. Whether you’re looking to explore the breathtaking landscapes of Himachal Pradesh or soak in the sun-kissed beaches of Thailand for a rejuvenating experience, there’s a destination out there calling your name.

    Whip up some desserts for your folks!

    What better way to celebrate Holi than by indulging in delicious homemade sweets? Channel your inner chef and whip up some mouthwatering treats for yourself and your family. From traditional Indian delicacies like ‘Thandai,’ ‘Dahi Bhalla,’ ‘Karanji,’ ‘Puranpoli’ to modern delights like ‘chocolate truffles’ and ‘fruit tarts,’ the options are endless. Not only is cooking a fun and rewarding activity, but it also allows you to bond with your loved ones over shared culinary experiences.

    Pro tip: Remember to personalise your creations with colours, unique flavours and decorations to add a special touch to your Holi festivities! So, put on your chef’s hat, gather your ingredients, and treat yourself to some delectable homemade dishes!

    Swipe right on love and find your ideal match on Tinder!

    Spice up your Holi celebrations by creating a fun profile on Tinder and setting up a festive date with someone special. Whether you’re seeking a casual hangout or a meaningful connection, Holi can be the perfect opportunity to meet new people and add some excitement to your love life. Swipe through profiles, make connections, and plan a date to celebrate the festival of colours together. Who knows? You might just stumble upon your perfect match amidst the vibrant hues of Holi!

  • Skyscanner’s launches ‘Everywhere Agency’ campaign connecting travellers with experts

    Skyscanner’s launches ‘Everywhere Agency’ campaign connecting travellers with experts

    Mumbai: As travellers start to think about their travels for the new year, global travel marketplace, Skyscanner has launched its latest campaign, ‘Everywhere Agency’, connecting travellers with record-holding travellers who have visited every country across the globe.

    According to data from Skyscanner, Indians’ passion for global exploration has reached unprecedented heights in 2024, with mounting early interest in travel indicated in its data. In the last week of 2023, the search volume for overseas travel by Indian travellers increased by 39 per cent compared to the same period last year. Looking ahead into 2024, a remarkable 98 per cent of Indian travellers are keen to try somewhere new while 42 per cent share that one of their biggest struggles when booking travel is deciding where to go. In a survey conducted by Skyscanner, it is revealed that despite social media, TV, and film perpetuating conventional tourist spots, 95 per cent feel fatigued by those repeated choices. 79 per cent of Indian travellers admit that the prospect of booking travel in 2024 is overwhelming, with 40 per cent citing cost concerns and an equal percentage grappling with destination decisions.

    To help alleviate Indians’ travel anxiety, the Everywhere Agency is a campaign that connects record-holding travellers with consumers worldwide, offering travel advice based on their own experience. These well-travelled experts are known as Everywhere Agents, who are set to ease traditional traveller anxiety about unknown destinations, and help travellers discover the less-travelled places, without compromising on value. Travellers can explore tips offered by the Everywhere Agents through the Everywhere Guide, or via 1:1 exclusive virtual appointments. This campaign is powered by Skyscanner’s ‘Everywhere’ search, the travel hack that helps travellers explore destinations, ordered by price, from thousands of travel sites – all in one place. The ‘Everywhere’ search is the most searched destination for Indian travellers currently, highlighting the desire to explore regardless of the location of origin. Other popular destinations for Indians are Dubai, Bangkok, London, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore.

    Travellers can also easily access the Everywhere Guide, an online widget on Skyscanner, that shares responses to frequently asked travel questions, based on each Everywhere Agent’s personal experience. Questions include “Where’s the most memorable night out?”, “Where should everyone try a once-in-a-lifetime activity?”, and more. The Everywhere Guide also displays a Trip Snapshot for every suggested destination, showing the lowest flight and hotel prices, and the cheapest day to travel, for any selected month of 2024. These link out to corresponding search parameters on Skyscanner, allowing travellers to conveniently complete trip bookings for their newly discovered destination.

    Skyscanner

    With India being a diverse market with a large variety of travel preferences, Skyscanner has appointed renowned travel personality, Anunay Sood, as the Everywhere Agent for India. Known for exploring 30 countries by the age of 30, Anunay captivates audiences with his inspiring travel adventures, travel tips, encouraging them to uncover the world’s breath-taking wonders. Other Everywhere Agents include individuals like Gunnar Garfors, the first to visit every country in the world twice; Renee Burns, a world record holder for traveling to the most countries in a year in a wheelchair.

    Skyscanner’s appointed Everywhere Agent, Anunay Sood said, “I used to be in a full-time corporate job to finance my travel adventures. My fascination with travel photography and exploration ignited my desire to become a dedicated globetrotter. After exploring over 30 countries, I’ve gained insights into what travellers really love. As someone who’s passionate about adventures, through my extensive travels, I’ve tailored tonnes of handy travel tips – whether it’s picking the right destination, navigating the complexities of budgeting or planning the perfect itinerary. Having been there myself, I also understand the specific needs of younger professionals who are working corporate jobs and dreaming of exciting getaways. Along with Skyscanner, I look forward to helping travellers find the best views, food, experiences and more as they plan their upcoming trips.”

    Skyscanner’s travel trends and destination expert Mohit Joshi said, ‘’The Everywhere Agency is not just about offering alternatives; it’s about inspiring a shift in perspective. Through exclusive 1:1 sessions with record-breaking travellers and recommendations that go beyond the ordinary on the Everywhere Guide, we hope to empower and equip travellers with the tools needed to discover and enjoy destinations that they didn’t even know they desired.’’

    Feeling inspired? You can sign up for a 1:1 Everywhere Appointment here. 
     

  • Indian travellers drawn to Movie and TV locations: Skyscanner Survey

    Indian travellers drawn to Movie and TV locations: Skyscanner Survey

    Mumbai: Whether it’s gig tripping or visiting the realm of sleep, global travel site Skyscanner shares the latest trends shaping industry and traveller behaviour in its “Travel Trends: Redefining value through experience in 2024” report.  Blending proprietary flights and hotel data based on millions of searches with an annual consumer behaviour study and expert commentary, today Skyscanner reveals 2024’s hottest travel vibes and types, as well as the top 10 trending destinations and best-value destinations.  

    Data from the report reveals that film and entertainment have a significant influence on Indian travellers, with 94 per cent of them inclined to take a trip to a destination they’ve seen on the big or small screen. Moreover, close to half (43 per cent) of the respondents rate the overall ‘vibe’ of a destination as important, when choosing where to go in 2024.

    Among the four key travel vibes, set-jetting took the lead in India, as travellers sought to immerse themselves into the iconic location of their favourite shows, embodying Main Character Energy. Seizing the spotlight as the top destination that Indians are inspired to visit in 2024 is Manali, India, with travellers influenced by Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, followed by Ladakh, again in India, which inspires 47% of the travellers to visit the mesmerising city as seen in 3 Idiots. Claiming the next spot is London in the United Kingdom, with 43 per cent of Indian travellers seeking to add a royal flair to their life as seen in The Crown, and the enchanting city of Paris in France, with 42 per cent of Indian travellers wanting to experience the city like Emily Cooper, as seen in Emily in Paris. In fact, following the launch of season 3’s launch at the end of December 2022, Skyscanner saw a 23 per cent increase in searches from India to Paris in January compared to the previous month.

    Just like Main Character Energy, Skyscanner data shows how the value of experiences is fuelling a range of other travel trends and vibes for 2024, with price no longer solely ruling decision-making:

     . Gig tripping – One-third of Indian (37 per cent) travellers would fly short haul to see their favourite artist live with a huge 79 per cent considering attending a concert overseas instead in 2024 if it would help them save money.

      . Budget bougie foodies – Indians are inherent foodies and Skyscanner’s research confirms the same, with 59% of Indian travellers having booked a destination purely based on a restaurant they want to visit. Osaka, renowned as ‘the kitchen of Japan’ with the fourth rank in the world for cities with the most Michelin stars, claims the top spot on Skyscanner’s global list for foodies on a budget in 2024 and is also one of the top trending destinations amongst Indian travellers.

      . Destination Zzzz – Citing it as one of the top activities for their next holiday, Indian travellers just want to visit the realm of sleep in 2024. Sleep health generally is a hot topic and 85 per cent of Indian travellers are more mindful of their sleep health today compared to a few years ago. Moreover, 66 per cent of Indian travellers have reported experiencing improved sleep quality during their holidays.

    What’s more, with the thirst for experiences that drive greater lifestyle value, Skyscanner sees these traveller types emerging in 2024:  

      . Analogue adventurers – In an age of always-on and constant hype, Gen Z are craving old-school analogue adventures that ditch the digital device in favour of how it used to be done. One in four (24 per cent) Indian travellers aged 18 to 24 years old now bring a Polaroid camera with them on holiday.

     . Celebration vacationers – Indian travellers increasingly want to celebrate big milestones in style. 81 per cent of Indian travellers have taken a group trip to celebrate a birthday or anniversary. That being said, it can be tricky to arrange group travel – from deciding on where and when to go, to agreeing on costs. 52 per cent of Indian travellers said that finalising a destination is their primary hurdle when planning group trips, followed by deciding on the travel dates (48 per cent) and agreeing on the expected costs of the trip (45 per cent).

     . Luxe-for-less seekers – While the price may always be a factor when it comes to travel planning, it seems Indian travellers are still willing to splurge on comforts. 37 per cent of Indian travellers plan to upgrade their flight to business or first class in 2024, while 44 per cent plan to purchase airport lounge access to get their trip off to a great start.  

    India’s Top Trending and Best Value Destinations

    The 2024 report reveals that 86 per cent of Indian travellers plan to take the same number, if not more, trips abroad in 2024 compared to 2023. The most buzzing destinations for Indian travellers in 2024 are Da Nang in Vietnam, loved for its pristine beaches, Almaty in Kazakhstan, a captivating destination in Central Asia celebrated for its stunning natural scenes, and Baku in Azerbaijan, known for its exquisite blend of historical and modern architecture. On the other hand, Nice in France came out top overall, securing the highest spot for the Best Value Destinations category, followed by Geneva in Switzerland, Tokyo in Japan, and Manama in Bahrain (full overview in appendix).

    Commenting on the findings, Skyscanner travel trends and destination expert Mohit Joshi said, “The desire to explore and to make the best out of holidays with richer, more fulfilling experiences is evident among Indian travellers, as they (63 per cent) are budgeting to spend more on travel in 2024. The strong demand for travel in India, coupled with the focus on cultural exploration next year, are reasons why a travel metasearch like Skyscanner can bring value to Indian travellers. Try the ‘Explore Everywhere’ search feature, for example, to discover destinations ranked by prices. With our tools, travellers will realise that there are many ways to bag a bargain so that allowances can be made to spend on the comfort they are after.”

  • Skyscanner commits to India with the launch of new Hindi products

    Skyscanner commits to India with the launch of new Hindi products

    Mumbai: Global travel marketplace Skyscanner is today launching a new Hindi language experience across its products and services as part of the company’s commitment to the Indian market.

    Hindi is the third most widely spoken language globally, and the number of internet users accessing content in Hindi is also rising. With the Indian travel market projected to reach US$ 125 billion by FY27 and Indians increasingly preferring to book travel online, the introduction of a new localized experience will benefit travellers and partners alike in metro cities as well as Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities across the country.

    India’s domestic and international air travel continues to showcase a strong recovery, surpassing pre-covid levels. This is reflective of travel demand on Skyscanner, with the company observing the highest spike in search volume in 2023 since the pre-pandemic of 2019 for both domestic and international destinations. Trending routes in August include:

    ●   Srinagar to Jammu

    ●   Hyderabad to Bengaluru

    ●  Mumbai to Dubai

    ●  New Delhi to Seoul

    ● Srinagar to New Delhi

    Strategic Relations VP Hugh Aitken said, “The Indian travel market is one of the fastest growing in the world and we see immense potential to help connect millions of travelers with some of the most ambitious travel providers in the industry. When accessing flight options on Skyscanner travelers will now automatically be redirected to the Hindi locale on the airline or OTA site. As well as native language support, we are also investing across our entire product portfolio, not just for consumers but importantly too for our partners in areas such distribution, advertising, and data.”

    Skyscanner currently works with market-leading Indian partners such as MakeMyTrip, Indigo, Goibibo, SpiceJet, Yatra, EaseMyTrip, and Cleartrip and is constantly looking to expand its network.

  • Lonely Planet India launches its digital campaign ‘India Unexplored’

    Lonely Planet India launches its digital campaign ‘India Unexplored’

    MUMBAI: Lonely Planet India has launched ‘India Unexplored’, an exciting new digital campaign to find the best hidden spots and experiences throughout the country. Hosted on the Lonely Planet India website (www.lonelyplanet.in) and promoted on social media channels including Facebook, Twitter, Google + and Instagram, ‘India Explored’ will see participants submit their discoveries of lesser known destinations across India. This is a 45 day digital campaign that launches on 4 October 2014 and will be live until 17 November 2014.

     

    This is an application-based campaign hosted on www.lonelyplanet.in. The URL is unexplored.lonelyplanet.in

     

     ‘India Unexplored’ is a pan-India digital campaign by Lonely Planet India where participants can submit their discoveries of lesser known destinations under the following special themes:  

     

     .   SEE: This special theme is all about sharing lesser known and unexplored beaches, hill stations, mountains and interesting places to visit in our country, including natural and man-made attractions.

     

     .   DO: In this special theme, the participants will share their adventure endeavours and experiences such as paragliding, skiing, rafting or trekking etc.

     

     .   EAT: Here participants will share places which are interesting to eat at.

     

     .   SHOP: This special theme is for the participants to share their experiences and memories at shops and markets from offbeat places in India.

                     

    To participate in the ‘India Unexplored’ campaign, one must submit a discovery about a destination in the country. This destination should be listed on Google Maps. Participants can submit details about the place, images and videos about the destination. The entries will then be moderated by Lonely Planet. Each of the entries that are eligible to be published on the website will be allocated points. On the basis of the number of points earned, the 3 mega winners will be decided. There will be a panel of 3 judges including travel experts to select the winners of India Unexplored campaign. The winners will be picked on the basis of ratings given by the judges who will judge the entries basis parameters such as nature and uniqueness of the location of discovery/ entry, quality of content in the description, image aptness and quality, frame and creativity in the image caption and video relevance and quality as well as visual content.

     

    Skyscanner, a leading global travel search site has come on board as the title sponsor for Lonely Planet’s India Unexplored campaign. There are also various prize sponsors including F&D Audio, Joy Resorts and Hotels, Linger Guesthouses, Outdoor Travel Gear, Polaris India, Pugdundee Safaris, Skybags and Wrangler.

     

    There are hosts of prizes to be won, participants can win prizes as per the following:

     

    .  45 early bird prizes for those first set of discoverers submitting approved discoveries. Winners will be announced on 13 October 2014.

     

    .  18 prizes for the  mini contests on Lonely Planet India’s social media channels such as Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Instagram

     

    .  Prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd winner of each of the special themes ( SEE, DO, EAT and SHOP).

     

    .  Prizes for the best image shared, best video shared and best trekking discovery.

     

    .  Prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd all round mega winners. Winners for special themes and  the mega winners will be announced on 1 December 2014