MakeMyTrip to acquire majority stake in regional tour operator Flamingo Transworld

Online travel services provider MakeMyTrip is to acquire a majority stake in regional tour operator Flamingo Transworld for an undisclosed sum.

The company has entered into an agreement to acquire a majority stake in Flamingo Transworld, one of India's leading regional tour operators, subject to the fulfilment of certain closing conditions, MakeMyTrip said in a statement.

Flamingo has created a strong affinity in the markets of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh with its group tour services over the last 30 years of its operations, the statement said.

Its international and domestic group travel packages, which are currently sold largely through 51 offices across Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, will complement MakeMyTrip's established holiday packages business and help the platform penetrate deeper into markets across India, the company said.

Commenting on the proposed deal, MakeMyTrip, Co-founder and Group CEO, Rajesh Magow, said, "Flamingo aligns closely with the growth strategy of our holiday packages business. It is a strong, growing business that has developed a unique moat in the group travel domain."

He also said,"We plan to leverage the complementary customer base, products and distribution focus between the two brands to widen holiday package options for our customers."

Flamingo Transworld Director and Co-founder, Sanjay Shah said, for over three decades, Flamingo has built something unique in Indian travel: genuine trust. From chef-led tours to regional language guides, the brand has grown by going deeper, he said.

"By combining Flamingo's brand equity and operational depth with MakeMyTrip's digital platform and national customer reach, we aim to build a truly pan-India tour company that brings Flamingo's signature experience to millions of new customers," he added.

In the recent past, MakeMyTrip has taken a calibrated approach to inorganic growth, with strategic acquisitions, including QuestToTravel in corporate travel bookings, Simplotel in hotel technology, BookMyForex in travel forex, Savaari in intercity mobility and Happay in corporate spend management.

These have helped in expanding the company's capabilities across leisure, corporate and ancillary travel, the statement said.

The acquisition comes amid a strong rebound in India’s travel and tourism sector following the pandemic, with both domestic and outbound travel witnessing sustained growth. According to industry estimates, India’s outbound travel market is expected to expand significantly over the next decade, driven by rising disposable incomes, improved connectivity and a growing middle class seeking international travel experiences.

Group tours, in particular, remain a popular segment among travellers from Tier II and III cities. Organised packages with regional-language support, guided itineraries, and bundled services continue to see strong demand. Travel companies have increasingly focused on this segment to tap into the next wave of growth in leisure travel.

The move by MakeMyTrip also reflects a broader trend in the online travel industry where digital platforms are increasingly combining technology-led booking capabilities with specialised offline travel expertise to cater to diverse customer segments across India’s rapidly expanding travel market.

(With inputs from PTI)