Travelling portals target corporate clients

Companies like Indiatimes, Makemytrip, Ezeego1, Yatra, Cleartrip and Travelguru are in busy negotiations with corporates that range from big ITs to SMEs.

B2B transactions involve portals that supply products to other portals and offline travel agents, whilst B2E particularly pertains to corporate customers who buy services and products for their workers.

Corporate travels continuous to attract travel portals. “Corporate clients offer high volumes and many last-minute bookings which are usually of high value,” said Neelu Singh, COO of Ezeego1, which recently added its number of clients upon the purchase of approximately five FMCG companies and is currently negotiating with bigger corporates.

Despite that B2E transactions’ volume on portals is low than B2B and B2C transactions, B2E bookings is rapidly increasing. “We have a separate team which handles business travel including incentive tours. Going forward, this business will only grow,” an official at Indiatimes said.

Various models have been developed by portals to provide business houses with services such as offline booking desk at the corporate office of clients, or integration of technology with the company’s intranet.

“We have some key corporate clients such as HCL, Ernst & Young and TV 18. Presently, approximately 8–9% of its business is attributed to corporate travel.

SMEs, which make online bookings as retail business travellers, have been also the target of travel portals. Makemytrip is now focusing on SMEs instead of large corporate.