ITV

Tag: Yatra

  • Clicks and trips go hand in hand as travel ads chart new routes

    Clicks and trips go hand in hand as travel ads chart new routes

    MUMBAI: When it comes to travel, Indians aren’t just packing bags, they’re packing pixels. In a year when revenge tourism fuelled wanderlust and digital-first habits reshaped holiday planning, Excellent Publicity’s latest report captures a sector that’s going places literally and virtually. Based on over 30,000 campaigns and TAM Media insights, the 2024 Travel & Tourism Advertising Landscape offers a fascinating peek into how brands sold dreams of getaways to a nation ready to escape.

    Total ad spends in the sector rose by 28 per cent in 2024, with digital commanding a staggering 78 per cent of that pie. Video platforms like YouTube and Instagram accounted for over 62 per cent of these digital spends, thanks to their scroll-stopping visuals and seamless influencer integration. The age of the static banner, it seems, is on a one-way trip to oblivion.

    It’s not just metros that are dreaming big 35 per cent of digital ad impressions came from Tier II and III cities, marking a shift in aspiration and affordability. Goibibo, Redbus, and Yatra rode this wave with vernacular campaigns, cashback offers, and destination-led storytelling.

    Short-form videos emerged as the MVP of campaign visibility, with influencer-led Reels and Youtube Shorts growing 45 per cent year-on-year. Micro and mid-tier creators proved to be the hidden gems of the media mix, converting eyeballs into bookings with hacks, hauls, and heartfelt narratives.

    Despite digital’s dominance, traditional formats still held ground. Television retained a 12 per cent share, proving useful in prime-time slots and regional infotainment, especially for family-oriented travel brands. Print (3 per cent) was used for tactical bursts like seasonal guides, while OOH (6 per cent) stayed visible near airports and high-footfall spots. Radio, though a modest 1 per cent of the mix, was used smartly around long weekends and festive peaks.

    Ad activity spiked during April-June (summer holidays) and again from October to December (festive breaks and destination weddings). Destinations like Ladakh, Rishikesh, Udaipur, and Bali drew big bucks from brands focused on adventure, wellness, and cultural experiences.

    Top spenders included Makemytrip, Easemytrip, Club Mahindra, Agoda, Thomas Cook, and Air India together accounting for over 33 per cent of the total digital travel ad budget. Campaigns ranged from AR-powered itinerary planning to influencer-hosted travelogues and loyalty program launches.

    Emotional hooks also proved effective, with storytelling leaning into themes of nostalgia (“first trip post-COVID”) and purpose (“make memories, not plans”). There was a noticeable pivot to experiential travel, with brands showcasing offbeat stays, cultural immersions, and eco-conscious itineraries.

    “The media mix is evolving, but the message remains timeless: travel is emotional,” said Excellent Publicity co-founder & director, Vaishal Dalal. “The brands winning today are those combining data-led precision with creative ambition making the journey to booking feel as exciting as the journey itself.”

    As Gen Z and millennials continue to shape spending habits, travel brands will need to mix immersive formats, voice AI, sustainability and hyper-personalisation to stay relevant and stay booked. Because in 2024, even holidays needed good content.

  • Rajiv Malhotra boards 12Go as chief product officer

    Rajiv Malhotra boards 12Go as chief product officer

    MUMBAI: Rajiv Malhotra has packed his bags for a fresh adventure, joining 12Go as chief product officer, and adding another heavyweight chapter to a career that’s criss-crossed e-commerce, travel, media, mobile, and logistics.

    An MBA from NTU Singapore and a citizen of Singapore with OCI status in India, Malhotra brings 25 years of razor-sharp product expertise to the role — across start-ups and blue-chip giants alike. Whether it’s managing $100 million+ P&Ls, pioneering UX strategies, scaling digital businesses, or launching SaaS solutions, he’s left an unmistakable signature on every stop.

    Before this, he steered digital media products at SPH Media, led logistics products at Gojek, advised start-ups, and even brewed success as an entrepreneur with Hotellauncher.com. Past tours of duty also include Expedia, MakeMyTrip, Yatra, and Yahoo! SEA, where he was at the bleeding edge of product innovation and digital transformation.

    From product vision to UX design, Malhotra is passionate about building tech solutions that actually make life easier (and a lot more profitable). A self-confessed Kombucha enthusiast and amateur chef when off-duty, he knows a thing or two about the perfect blend — whether in the kitchen or in code.

  • Amazon MX Player takes viewers on a global ride with Yatra

    Amazon MX Player takes viewers on a global ride with Yatra

    MUMBAI: Buckle up, folks! Amazon MX Player, Amazon’s free video streaming service, has dropped a brand-new brand film featuring none other than Indian cinema’s original Bhidu, Jackie Shroff. And this time, he isn’t just making a style statement-he’s effortlessly navigating through travel hiccups with Yatra Online Ltd (Yatra.com), all while making sure that audiences never run out of world-class entertainment.

    The film puts MX Vdesi front and centre, shining a spotlight on its international content library, brimming with Korean, Turkish, and Mandarin shows-all dubbed in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu. Because let’s face it, who doesn’t love a good K-drama meltdown with subtitles that don’t make you second-guess life choices?

    In true Shroff style, the film hilariously showcases how Yatra ensures a seamless travel experience at unbeatable prices. But here’s the real twist-while Shroff guarantees his fellow travellers a hassle-free trip, he also lets them in on an even bigger treat: Amazon MX Player. That’s right! Whether it’s binge-worthy K-dramas, Mandarin thrillers, or laugh-out-loud comedies, MX Player makes sure no flight delay or layover is ever boring again.

    The brand film takes another entertaining turn when Shroff teams up with Duolingo—because what’s a trip abroad without a language barrier disaster? In one scene, Shroff finds himself in a restaurant struggling with a menu that might as well be ancient Greek. Luckily, Duo, the iconic green owl, swoops in to save the day. But Shroff being Shroff, he doesn’t stop there. He cleverly points out that learning new languages not only helps with ordering exotic dishes but also enhances the experience of watching Turkish and Korean dramas. And for those who still mix up “hello” and “goodbye” in different languages, MX Player’s got it covered with Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu dubs.

    Amazon MX Player director Aruna Daryanani expressed excitement about the collaboration, “At Amazon MX Player, we are always looking for innovative ways to engage our audience, and collaborating with brands to communicate our message using quirky, fun brand films. Partnering with Yatra and Duolingo allows us to blend entertainment with utility, making streaming even more engaging. We look forward to more such creative collaborations that bring fresh, entertaining content to our users for absolutely free.”

    Yatra whole-time director & CEO Dhruv Shringi added, “We are thrilled to have joined forces with Amazon MX Player on this innovative and engaging campaign. We believe that travel should be seamless, enjoyable, and memorable, and this collaboration aligns perfectly with that vision. With Jackie Shroff bringing his inimitable charm to this campaign, it’s a testament to the power of creative collaborations in delivering a complete and enjoyable experience to our customers.”

    So whether you’re planning a trip, stuck at an airport, or just chilling at home, Amazon MX Player and Yatra have got you covered-with Shroff ensuring you travel in style and binge like a boss.

  • Swiggy One introduces ‘Privileges’

    Swiggy One introduces ‘Privileges’

    Mumbai: Swiggy, India’s on-demand convenience delivery platform, has introduced ‘Privileges’ to its Swiggy One and Swiggy One Lite membership programs. With millions of subscribers across the country, Swiggy One is the only membership program in India that provides benefits across food, quick commerce, dining out, and pick-up and drop services. By forming strategic partnerships with Yatra, Cinepolis, Amazon Prime, Disney+ Hotstar, and others, Swiggy One expands its offerings with exclusive privileges.

    Swiggy One Privileges offers exclusive deals that extend beyond Swiggy’s services, enhancing the experience for members across travel, entertainment, OTT, shopping, and beauty categories.

    In travel, Yatra provides value-added services such as free cancellation, free seat selection, or free meal options on flights for Swiggy One members. In entertainment, Cinepolis offers a flat 30 per cent discount on movies and food & beverages for online bookings and a flat 25 per cent discount at the F&B counter.

    Members also receive exclusive offers from popular OTT platforms, including a ₹150 discount on Amazon Prime, 50 per cent off the Disney+ Hotstar 3M Super plan, and buy one get one month or buy 12 get three months on SonyLiv Premium plans.

    Croma offers a 7.5 per cent discount on purchases of ₹30,000 and above at any of its stores. Hamleys provides free entry to the play arena at major outlets. In beauty and fashion, Swiggy One Privileges includes brands like Ajio, offering 20 per cent off on select items, and Lakme, which provides a complimentary facial waxing service.

    Commenting on the added ‘Privileges’ to the Swiggy One membership program, Swiggy VP of growth Anurag P said, “With millions of users across India, Swiggy One and Swiggy One Lite stand apart for the benefits they provide across fast-growing categories like food delivery, quick commerce, and dining out. We are now making Swiggy One bigger and better through Swiggy One Privileges which has offers spanning high-usage categories such as OTT, travel, fashion, beauty, and more. With these added privileges, Swiggy One will further enhance its standing as the most exciting and rewarding membership program in the country, bringing to life Swiggy’s mission of elevating the quality of life for urban consumers by offering unparalleled convenience.”

    Members are regularly notified of the latest privileges through homepage notifications, post-order updates, and the newly added ‘Privileges’ section within the Swiggy One and One Lite membership pages. Redeeming offers is simple: members can unlock unique codes via the ‘One Membership Privileges’ section and redeem them directly on partner apps to enjoy offers and benefits. This one-step process keeps members informed and engaged throughout their membership, with multiple touchpoints guiding them to avail these time-bound exclusive offers.
     

  • 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.

  • Yatra promotes travel in evergreen Bollywood style

    Yatra promotes travel in evergreen Bollywood style

    MUMBAI: Online travel portal Yatra has launched its new series of advertisement commercials featuring brand ambassador Ranbir Kapoor.

    The new TVCs present two unique customer friendly features in an entertaining manner using evergreen Bollywood movie songs with tailored lyrics. The ads have been created with a light-hearted and humorous tonality, making them fun to watch. The hummable ads also feature a ‘karaoke’ style format for those who wish to sing along.

    Conceptualised by Ogilvy & Mather, the ad films reflect an exquisite blend of the contemporary world with the vintage charm of Indian cinema. Keeping in mind Yatra’s endeavour to make travel hassle-free, seamless and value adding to travellers, the two films highlight its eCash loyalty program, and its unique feature of protecting customers from a drop in airfare post them making a booking. eCash now not only gets a traveller discounts on future bookings, but is also transferable to friends and family, as well as convertible into shopping vouchers from Yatra’s partners. The ads feature Kapoor grooving to Clinton Cerejo’s beats, who has reworked the evergreen and classic tunes in his own inimitable way. This not only captivates the audiences by getting them to smile and hum along, but also reinforces Yatra’s brand message of being ‘India ka travel planner’.

    Commenting on the new TVC series, Yatra COO (B2C) Sharat Dhall says, “We are focused on innovating in terms of customer features and benefits, and this set of ads highlight two such industry first features–eCash loyalty points and the airfare-drop protection. With these films we are looking to attract new users to our fold, while retaining the connection with our existing customer base. The ads capture the best of Bollywood – entertaining, yet with a key consumer message, and hopefully will strike a chord with the audience.”

    Sharing his experience of working on the TVCs, Kapoor mentions, “Yatra has always managed to surprise me with its innovative ideas of engaging with travellers. I am delighted to also get the opportunity to pay a tribute to the evergreen members of my family via these unforgettably classic songs that are a part of these ads. It is a matter of honour and pride as Yatra’s brand ambassador.”

    Ogilvy & Mather, Kolkata creative head Dhruv Mookerji remarks, “Bollywood has left a lasting impression on the cultural psyche of the nation. And with Ranbir Kapoor as the brand ambassador of Yatra, it seemed a perfect fit to merge the unique positioning of Yatra with the great musical legacy of the Kapoor khandan.”

  • ‘India ka travel planner’ Yatra features Ranbir in new campaign

    MUMBAI: Yatra.com, one of India’s leading online travel portals, has unveiled its latest advertising campaign featuring their new brand ambassador, Ranbir Kapoor. 

    The campaign introduces Yatra’s new brand proposition of being ‘India ka travel planner’, which resonates with its marketplace model. As a travel marketplace, Yatra caters to all types of travelers keeping in mind the change in behavior and evolving needs of the consumers.

    The ad film is set in a hyper-real realm taking the viewers into a world which is magical and invokes fantasy, which is what travel is all about. Since Yatra and its ambassador Ranbir Kapoor both exude youthfulness, modernity and ease, the soundtrack of the film has been created in such a manner that it brings out these traits effectively. 

    Moreover, the contemporary musical score featuring the catchphrase “Koi Nikal Pada Hai ” encourages each and everyone to travel. The film starts with the context of ‘Yatra’ which connotes travel and then seamlessly moves to individual products and preferences people have, thus, showcasing the depth of Yatra’s product and services. 

    The film also brings out the acting prowess of Ranbir in a very creative manner.

    Yatra.com COO (B2C) Sharat Dhall said, “With the launch of the new brand identity and the recent appointment of Ranbir as our brand ambassador, the idea is to create a brand connect with the new age Indian traveller and position Yatra as a versatile platform that has something to offer to everyone. Communicating the idea that we are ‘India ka travel planner’ is what the new campaign reflects.”

    Yatra.com CMO Vikrant Mudaliar said, “Yatra as a brand understands varied consumer preferences, hence, caters to all kinds of travellers and for all kinds of travel. Whether you are a conventional tourist, an experimental traveller or an adventurous explorer, you will always find a suitable solution on Yatra.com. The film in a very creative manner showcases the ever expanding portfolio of travel products which Yatra has and the contrasting target audience which it caters to, thus, making it India’s travel planner.”

    This film crafted by Ogilvy & Mather will use digital and television as the lead mediums.

  • Ranbir Kapoor is Yatra’s brand ambassador

    MUMBAI: Yatra.com, one of India’s leading online travel portal, has announced Bollywood superstar and youth icon, Ranbir Kapoor, as their brand ambassador. Popularly known for portraying versatile and youthful roles on screen, Ranbir Kapoor is a perfect fit for the brand. Just like Yatra, he is a leader in his Industry and is technologically savvy, modern and has a passion for travelling. In his cinematic journey as well, travel has always played an important part.

    Speaking on the association, Sharat Dhall, COO(B2C), Yatra.com, said, “Today, Yatra is an evolved and contemporary travel marketplace which stands apart for the richness of its product & services. Ranbir’s persona is in line with these qualities, and he also brings with him a sense of casual coolness that today’s youth relates to. We welcome him to the Yatra family and hope that with this association we are able to create a strong impact in the minds of our audiences and customers at large.”

    Speaking on the partnership, Ranbir Kapoor said, “I am an avid traveler myself and travel has played an important part in my films. So a partnership with a travel brand like Yatra was a natural fit for me. I am particularly excited to be a part of this new journey and am looking forward to a long & fulfilling ‘Yatra’ with the brand.”

    Vikrant Mudaliar, Chief Marketing Officer, Yatra.com, said, “With Ranbir Kapoor coming on board, we are confident of strengthening Yatra’s brand appeal and recall amongst our customers. Today, Yatra is bursting with new ideas, and we wanted our brand ambassador to exude similar qualities, hence, Ranbir was our natural choice. We are confident that this association will help us stand out in an increasingly cluttered media environment. Ranbir appeals to all age groups and demographics across the board and we are excited about using him in our marketing communication. ”

  • DD revamps prime time viewing with five new shows

    DD revamps prime time viewing with five new shows

    NEW DELHI: After having revamped its afternoon programming leading to a spurt in viewership, Doordarshan National is now all set to give a new look to its prime time programming.

     

    The new programmes, Nadiyaan Gaati Hain, Bharat Ki Shaan: Let’s Dance, Earth Matters, Gaon Connection and Yatra will start from 6 June. Through this the channel aims to connect with its audience yet again, with fresh content which is full of entertainment and information.

     

     Nadiyaan Gaati Hain is to commence telecast every Friday starting today at 7.00 pm. It is a one-of-a-kind travelogue documentary series on rivers that explores the historical, cultural and social journey of these rivers. Produced by Anupama Productions, this 13-part series delves deep into the realms of history, mythology and culture to bring out gems of unique information about the six significant rivers of Madhya Pradesh- Narmada, Betwa, Shipra, Tapti, Chambal and Sone.

     

    After five fantastic seasons of unparalleled success of music and dance reality shows, Bharat Ki Shaan: Let’s Dance air every Saturday and Sunday at 8:30 pm. This season has a new look and the new format creates an edge over the monotonous dancing reality shows. Judged by ace choreographers Pony Verma and Sandip Soparrkar, the show is aimed at the young aspirants and the young-at-heart viewers.

     

     World renowned environment filmmaker Mike Pandey’s Earth Matters returns with season four from 8 June, every Sunday at 10:30 am. While the series has been running without a break, the last few weeks saw DD repeating older programmes. Directed and produced by Pandey, Earth Matters take a hard look at the state of the environment; the diminishing natural resources, the fast disappearing forest cover, the endangered wildlife, urban pollution and the pressures on rural India.

     

     Like the previous seasons, the 26-episode series commencing on Sunday is not just a doom and gloom series it provides solutions and remedial action that each individual can take at his own level.

     

     Shot this time in HD format, the series have already won accolades internationally. It has also led to the creation of Earth Matters Clubs all over the country with young people, particularly in rural or semi-urban areas working to put into action the xuggestions given in the programme to improve the ecology and fight climate change.

     

    Gaon Connection will go on air from 9 June, every Monday and Tuesday at 8:00 pm to meet the unmet hunger for information in rural India and to inform urban India about the transformation underway in the hinterland. The idea is to build a bridge with quality content through a connection with rural India where DD already has a strong hold on viewership.

     

     Yatra commencing from 11 June every Wednesday at 8:00 pm is a travel show. It is a religious travel guide which focuses on a spiritual journey around Indian temples. The show enlightens the viewer and takes him for a mesmerizing journey of these havens of peace.

  • Yatra.com awards media mandate to ZenithOptimedia

    Yatra.com awards media mandate to ZenithOptimedia

    MUMBAI: ZenithOptimedia has won the media duties for online travel company Yatra.com and will handle all media planning and buying duties for it.

    Yatra.com said its marketing spends are in the region of Rs 300 million.

    The win was the result of a multi-agency pitch held in Gurgaon. The other media agencies that participated in the pitch include Madison, Maxus and Universal McCann.

    The media account was handled earlier by Motivator.