New Delhi: MakeMyTrip said on Thursday that it has entered into an agreement to acquire a majority stake in regional tour operator Flamingo Transworld. The company said over the last 30 years of its operations, Flamingo has created a strong affinity in the regional markets of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh with its group tour services. Flamingo’s tours are popular for having a curated selection of Indian meals made by on-tour chefs or verified Indian vegetarian/Jain kitchens, in-house tour managers fluent in regional languages and the extensive coverage of popular attractions and experiences for domestic and international tourists.
MakeMyTrip said Flamingo’s popular 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.
Rajesh Magow, co-founder and group CEO, MakeMyTrip, said Flamingo aligns closely with the growth strategy of the company’s holiday packages business. “It is a strong, growing business that has developed a unique moat in the group travel domain. We plan to leverage the complementary customer base, products and distribution focus between the two brands to widen holiday package options for our customers,” he added.
Mohit Kabra, group chief operating officer, MakeMyTrip, said the company believes that the proposed acquisition of Flamingo creates a profitable growth opportunity to help MakeMyTrip drive a deeper presence in regional markets across India.
Sanjay Shah, director and co-founder of Flamingo Transworld, said for over three decades, Flamingo has built genuine trust in the Indian travel market. “From chef-led tours to regional language guides, the brand has grown by going deeper. 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.
MakeMyTrip said it has taken a ‘calibrated’ approach to inorganic growth. The company said recent 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, have expanded its capabilities across leisure, corporate and ancillary travel.
