The travel and hospitality sectors have seen tremendous change in recent years. Physical brochures, traditional brokers, and limited hotel inventory are no longer barriers to travel.
These days, internet platforms, mobile apps, and data-driven technologies influence how consumers find places, book accommodations, and organize entire journeys.
Modern travel is driven primarily by convenience, choice, and personalized experiences, shaped by rapidly evolving passenger expectations and technological advancements.
In this blog, we look at the success stories of five leading travel and hospitality firms.
From worldwide home sharing to standardized hotel experiences and all-inclusive travel packages, each has carved out its own market niche by meeting certain demands.
Instead of focusing on promotional content, this analysis examines how these companies have evolved, their growth trajectory, and the impact of their strategies on travel going forward.
1. Airbnb
Overview: Global platform for home-sharing and travel experiences
Founded: 2007
Founders: Brian Chesky, Joe Gebbia, Nathan Blecharczyk
Employees (approx.): 7,300
Revenue (approx.): USD 11.943 Billion
Website: https://www.airbnb.co.in
In 2007, the founders of Airbnb began the business with a simple experiment: in their San Francisco flat, they offered air mattresses to conference participants.
This idea evolved into a platform that allows hosts all around the world to share their homes with travelers seeking authentic, local experiences.
Unlike traditional hotel models, Airbnb swiftly spread across several regions by building trust via user ratings, secure payments, and seamless online interactions.
Airbnb plays a significant role in both the local and global travel accommodation markets.
A recent Oxford Economics analysis states that in 2024, Airbnb activities provided over 111,000 jobs in India alone and generated approximately ₹11,300 crore for the country's GDP, with domestic travelers accounting for approximately 91% of these jobs.
The average daily expenditure of ₹11,000 on non-accommodation services like food, shopping, and transportation shows that home sharing is driving tourism spending.
Many customers increasingly prefer homes, villas, or distinctive properties—like farm stays and heritage houses—over conventional hotels because the platform offers accommodation options rooted in local settings.
Travelers' global influence and economic contribution are continuing to grow as they seek flexibility, cultural experiences, and new ways to engage with places.
2. OYO
Overview: Hotel aggregation and hospitality brands powered by technology
Founded: 2012
Founder: Ritesh Agrawal
Employees (approx.): 15,000
Revenue (approx.): USD 640 Million
Website: https://www.oyorooms.com
OYO was established with the express purpose of improving the experience of budget travelers and introducing dependability and quality to independent hotel stays.
Due to their lack of basic amenities and reliable services, many tiny, unbranded hotels were deemed less appealing by travelers.
OYO's concept allowed hotels to enhance customer service and attract more guests by standardizing operations, integrating technology for pricing and inventory management, and branding these properties.
As of 2025, OYO is among the prominent hospitality and travel companies in India.
For the fiscal year 2024–2025, OYO recorded a profit after tax of ₹623 crore, a 172% rise over the previous year.
Total revenue climbed by 20%, adjusted EBITDA increased by 27%, and gross booking value (GBV) increased by 54% to ₹16,436 crore.
The Economic Times reports that OYO has over 22,700 hotels and almost 1.2 lakh houses in its hospitality portfolio, indicating its global reach.
It united unbranded hotels into a structured ecosystem, supported hosts with technology and standard operating procedures, and provided guests with a standardized stay at a competitive price.
By focusing on luxury product lines like Sunday Hotels and Townhouse Hotels, it moved from basic budget rooms to the mid-scale and premium segments.
By combining local hotel partnerships with international technology standards, OYO continues to expand in both domestic and international markets.
3. MakeMyTrip
Overview: Platform for online travel reservations and services
Founded: 2000
Founder: Deep Kalra
Employees (approx.): 5,000
Revenue (approx.): USD 978 Million
Website: https://www.makemytrip.com
MakeMyTrip is one of the leading companies in India's online travel industry.
It was initially created in 2000 as a platform for Indian tourists to purchase airline tickets, but it soon expanded to include reservations for hotels, vacation packages, buses, and trains.
It was essential for building trust in online reservations when digital payments and e-commerce were still in their infancy in India.
With gross bookings of USD 9.8 billion, a 25.9% year-over-year growth, MakeMyTrip achieved record performance in the fiscal year (FY25), which ended on March 31, 2025.
The Times of India reports that while adjusted operating profit grew to USD 167.3 million for FY25, sales jumped by 27.4% to USD 978.3 million.
MakeMyTrip acquired leading platforms such as Goibibo and redBus to become the largest travel services network in India.
Its technology has progressed with mobile-first features, AI-based recommendations, and a range of services that serve both business and leisure travelers.
The Economic Times reports that pilgrimage travel has risen by nearly 19% recently, demonstrating how Indian travel tastes are changing.
Both India's growing travel demand and the potential of digital transformation, which makes travel more effective and personalized, have contributed to its growth.
4. Yatra
Overview: Online travel agency for business and leisure travelers
Founded: 2006
Founders: Dhruv Shringi, Manish Amin, Sabina Chopra
Employees (approx.): 1,500
Revenue (approx.): USD 93.1 Million
Website: https://www.yatra.com
Yatra was among the early entrants in India's online travel sector.
When most travelers still used traditional agents, Yatra helped move reservations to a digital platform with an emphasis on convenience, ease of use, and all-inclusive services.
It set itself apart by providing both leisure and business travelers with flights, hotel reservations, and vacation packages.
The most recent financial statistics for the year that ended on March 31, 2025, demonstrate improved performance and notable growth.
Yatra recorded revenue of ₹7,957.3 million (~USD 93.1 million), an increase of about 90% year over year, and made a profit of approximately ₹23.9 million (~USD 0.3 million), in contrast to a substantial loss the previous year.
The increase in adjusted EBITDA was indicative of strong operating performance and efficiency, as per Yatra Online, Inc.
Yatra’s development reflects its adaptation to a rapidly evolving market.
It has strengthened its corporate travel segment and adopted a wide range of services to remain relevant despite challenges from larger competitors and changing travel preferences.
By balancing its leisure and corporate travel offerings, Yatra has diversified its sources of income and is well-positioned to benefit from the further expansion of travel in India.
5. Goibibo
Overview: A website that specializes in booking hotels and flights
Founded: 2009
Founders: Ashish Kashyap, Sanjay Bhasin, Vikalp Sahni
Employees (approx.): 826
Revenue (approx.): USD 75 Million
Website: https://www.goibibo.com
When Goibibo initially entered the Indian travel technology sector, it prioritized user experience.
Its user-friendly interface and mobile-first design made it stand out during a period when smartphones were rapidly becoming the primary means of making travel reservations.
The site was particularly appealing to millennials who valued convenience and price transparency.
Instead of competing solely on volume, Goibibo focused on building customer loyalty with services like fare alerts, easy cancellations, and customer support.
Its emphasis on practicality and simplicity supported steady user adoption.
In order to maintain its appeal and individuality while integrating its user base and brand into a larger ecosystem, Goibibo joined the MakeMyTrip Group in 2017.
Goibibo is well known for its reliable and speedy hotel and airfare reservations, and its link with the larger MakeMyTrip ecosystem enhances its service reach.
The platform continues to evolve to satisfy travel needs with features like mobile booking, real-time pricing, and personalized offers.
Its story demonstrates that thoughtful technology and user-centric design may result in a major competitive advantage even in crowded marketplaces.
The travel and hospitality industries have evolved through a focus on customers, timing, and innovation, as exemplified by the success stories of Airbnb, OYO, MakeMyTrip, Yatra, and Goibibo.
Whether it was a lack of trust in accommodation, variable hotel quality, fragmented booking processes, or unmet traveler expectations, each organization identified real problems and came up with workable solutions that could be applied both locally and abroad.
When considered collectively, they demonstrate how travel has developed beyond simple outings.
Their journeys provide a glimpse into a future where hospitality and travel are combined platforms that improve our capacity to discover and interact with the world.
In addition to embracing technology, these companies reshaped business models and operational approaches.
Beyond this, their growth is a reflection of the force of digital transformation, which continues to influence how travel services are developed and consumed.
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