Online travel aggregator EaseMyTrip last week said it had acquired a 49% stake in Australia-based study abroad consultant Planet Education Australia, marking its entry into the international study tourism segment. This foray is the latest in a series of steps it has taken this year to position itself as an “integrated travel ecosystem”. In this interview, Nishant Pitti, co-founder & CEO, EaseMyTrip, talks to Alokananda Chakraborty about the steps it is taking to become the flag bearer of India’s travel and mobility transformation. Edited excerpts.
EaseMyTrip recently acquired stakes in Rollins International and Pflege Home Healthcare. What are your plans for the medical tourism segment?
EaseMyTrip’s recent acquisitions signal a strategic entry into the growing medical tourism market. With Rollins’ expertise in wellness and dietary-focused services and Pflege’s in-home medical care capabilities, our plan is to create a holistic ecosystem for medical travellers. By leveraging these partnerships, we can provide seamless access to medical and wellness services for global clients, particularly targeting markets like Dubai. This initiative aligns with our goal to cater to niche travel segments while supporting accessibility and affordability in healthcare tourism.
Why does the timing seem right to you? Are you moving too fast?
Our foray into the medical tourism segment aligns perfectly with current market dynamics. The medical tourism industry is poised to grow at a robust CAGR of 13.23%, reaching $14.31 billion by 2029. India’s competitive edge lies in its world-class healthcare facilities, skilled professionals, and cost-effective treatments, making it a hub for global medical travellers. We wish to capitalise on this upward trajectory, ensuring we are positioned to meet rising demand. Rather than moving too fast, our strategy reflects readiness to cater to this expanding market.
Can you give us a sense of your air versus non-air service portfolio?
While air ticketing remains our revenue cornerstone, we’ve methodically diversified our portfolio to create a comprehensive travel ecosystem. Our non-air offerings — encompassing hotel bookings, holiday packages, bus and rail services, and travel insurance — represent a calculated growth strategy. Strategic investments like our Spree Hospitality acquisition and 13% stake in Eco Hotels demonstrate our commitment to sustainable travel solutions. By developing B2B platforms like ETrav Tech and expanding through a franchise model, we’re penetrating Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets with unprecedented agility. Although air ticketing continues to drive revenues, our non-air segment is rapidly emerging as a robust growth pillar.
What sort of capabilities would you need to succeed in the green mobility space?
With the electric vehicle market projected to grow at a 24% CAGR between 2024 and 2030, we see an unprecedented opportunity to transform intercity transportation. Our investment into Easy Green Mobility is laser-focused on research and development, and establishing a manufacturing ecosystem. We aim to serve the anticipated demand of 1.2 lakh to 1.5 lakh electric buses annually in the next decade.
We’ll concentrate on mastering manufacturing techniques, developing energy-efficient battery systems, and optimising large-scale production. Collaborations with FAME and PLI schemes will be crucial in localising production and supporting the Make in India initiative. Easy Green Mobility isn’t just a business venture — it’s our commitment to revolutionising sustainable transportation.
In an earlier interview you told FE that this financial year, you would be focusing on expanding your offline presence. What does that entail?
Our offline expansion represents a strategic approach to enhancing customer accessibility and experience. By scaling our presence, we’re creating physical touchpoints that bridge digital convenience with personalised service.
These stores are strategic investments in markets with limited internet penetration, particularly in smaller cities. They serve as trust-building platforms, offering expert travel consultation and tailored solutions that transcend digital interactions. Our offline strategy is meticulously designed to complement our robust online platform, creating a seamless, comprehensive travel experience that caters to diverse customer segments.
With so many related an unrelated forays, what do you foresee the EaseMyTrip brand to represent 5 years from now?
EaseMyTrip is transforming from a travel platform to a comprehensive mobility ecosystem. Our vision extends beyond transactional services. From flights and hotels to electric mobility solutions, our strategic diversification, including investments in electric bus manufacturing, positions us to lead India’s travel and mobility transformation. In five years, EaseMyTrip will represent more than a brand — we’ll be an integrated ecosystem making travel smarter, greener, and more accessible for everyone.