Latest news with #SkiftIndiaForum
Yahoo
24-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
MakeMyTrip Moves Closer to ‘Travel Superapp' Vision with Experiences Launch
On Thursday, MakeMyTrip announced it has launched a platform for booking international tours and experiences giving Indian travelers access to over 200,000 activities in 130 countries. Last year, Co-Founder and Group CEO Rajesh Magow had told Skift that the online travel agency would be bringing back experiences. MakeMyTrip had a similar product for attractions before the pandemic. The company shelved it during Covid. Experiences are a big part of travel spending. Magow noted in a release on Thursday, 'Experiences account for a significant share of spending when Indians travel overseas, yet discovering and booking them remains one of the most fragmented aspects of the journey.' The move is a piece of a much larger plan the company has been working on for years: to become a one-stop platform for every part of the trip and and keep more of the traveler's journey within its ecosystem. Since the pandemic, the company has expanded into several new areas — forex, car rentals, business travel tools, and even travel insurance. What This Has to Do with the 'Connected Trip' In the past year Magow has also been talking a lot about what he calls a 'connected trip.' It's a simple idea: travelers shouldn't have to piece together a trip from a dozen different sources. Flights, hotels, airport rides, insurance, and now experiences, should all be available on one platform. And more importantly, should 'talk to each other.' But that's easier said than done. Magow admitted it's a tough problem. 'The execution aspect of that is a nightmare,' he told Skift earlier. Even if all the options are available, it's hard to make sure they all work together smoothly and feel like one continuous experience. The experiences platform ties directly into this bigger plan. Now, travelers can plan and book their entire trip within the MakeMyTrip app. Everything, including these new tours and attractions, is stored under the 'MyTrips' section. What The Platform Offers The platform offers everything from must-see tourist spots to more unique experiences. Think: Disneyland in Paris, helicopter ride over Hawaii's Kauai Island, a walk through Tokyo's Asakusa district with a sumo demonstration. The service will be supported by a 24/7 travel assistance desk, and everything can be booked in Indian Rupees, MakeMyTrip said in a statement. Right now, the focus is mostly on experiences outside India. Magow had earlier told Skift that these experiences are currently more focused on foreign destinations, as the offerings for domestic destinations are 'still developing.' The Bigger Plan: Becoming a Travel Superapp MakeMyTrip isn't trying to become a superapp in the way other apps have tried to be everything for everyone. Their focus remains squarely on travel. But within that, the company wants to offer everything. Speaking at the Skift India Forum earlier this year, Magow had said the company is also looking to have cruises come on the platform. A market he called 'interesting,' but 'the awareness around it isn't very high.' From cruises to experiences and car rentals, the company is pushing into new areas while trying to keep the booking experience simple. The strategy is about giving users more reasons to keep coming back. As Magow put it, travelers may not book everything in one go, but if the platform can follow them through the whole planning process and offer helpful tools at each step, it can earn more over time. Challenges Ahead There's no shortage of ambition. But ambition alone doesn't solve the core problems: technical complexity, supply-side issues, and shifting consumer behavior. Integrating everything under one platform while keeping the user experience smooth is a tough job. And Magow is well aware of it. 'If the customer experience in one of the icons is broken, then it won't work,' he had told Skift, referring to the different services within the app. On top of that, entering new areas means building strong supply chains and partnerships. 'When you get into a new service, you have to have a benchmark,' Magow said, 'but how do I get to that position in an accelerated fashion? That's a challenge.' Why It May Work Anyway India's travel market is changing fast. Travelers are taking more trips, spending more on experiences, and increasingly planning online. According to internal data MakeMyTrip shared, frequent users are now booking more trips each year than they used to. With incomes rising and middle-class demand growing, there's a clear opportunity. The big question is whether MakeMyTrip can move fast enough, and stay reliable enough, to catch and hold on to that opportunity. MakeMyTrip Co-founder and Group CEO at Skift India Forum Get breaking travel news and exclusive hotel, airline, and tourism research and insights at Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Skift
15-07-2025
- Health
- Skift
Keeping Cool and Connected: Attendee Wellbeing Strategies for Summer Outdoor Events
Ensure attendee wellbeing at summer outdoor events with tips on heat, hydration, accessibility, and real-time engagement. It's 2:45 PM. The outdoor breakout session under a tent is running long. Someone near the front is fanning themselves with a printed agenda. Your phone battery is at 11%. And the networking energy you planned for this moment? Gone. Sound familiar? When you're organizing a summer event with outdoor components, things can go sideways quickly if you don't think ahead about attendee well-being. From heat and fatigue to Wi-Fi issues and sensory overload, the risks are real. And today's attendees are clear about what they expect: comfort, care, and options that support how they show up. Wellness at outdoor events is no longer just a hospitality "nice-to-have". It's a core part of creating a high-quality experience. Why Attendee Wellbeing Must Be a Priority for Outdoor Events Image from Skift India Forum A good agenda won't matter much if people are dehydrated or overheated. When attendees aren't physically comfortable, it's hard for them to stay mentally present. Add in outdoor distractions, long walking distances, and limited shade, and even the best programming can lose its impact. Wellness matters because it affects everything else. Attention spans. Energy levels. Willingness to participate. If people feel drained, they check out early or disengage entirely. As the organizer, your role is not just to plan the schedule. It's to create the conditions for attendees to actually benefit from it. What Can Go Wrong Outside (if You Don't Plan Ahead) These are the most common outdoor challenges you'll need to plan around: Heat and sun exposure (see how soaring heat impacts events) Risk of dehydration Long walks with limited seating or shade Sensory overload from crowd noise, traffic, or music Accessibility issues on grass, gravel, or uneven ground Spotty Wi-Fi and charging access Lack of quiet or private spaces Wind, rain, and storms Each of these impacts attendee focus and satisfaction. According to the 2025 Cvent planner sourcing report, 26% of planners say a poor attendee experience would deter them from returning to a venue in the future, highlighting the direct business implications of neglecting wellbeing. The good news? Each one is manageable with thoughtful planning. Tactical Wellness Strategies You Can Implement Today Photo Credits: Panasonic Let's get specific. These are field-tested ways to build wellness into your summer outdoor event, even on a tight timeline or budget. 1. Make Physical Comfort Easy Provide plenty of shaded areas using tents, umbrellas, or existing tree cover Place water refill stations near every major gathering zone Offer cooling towels or portable fans at check-in and wellness stations Set up misting areas near high-traffic spaces if your venue allows Stock sunscreen in shared spaces and bathrooms Example: Panasonic's Dry Mist System, showcased at CES 2024, used a micro-mist curtain to reduce heat stress in open-air environments. If you can only do one thing: Put shade and water within easy reach of every session area and lounge zone. 2. Reduce Mental and Physical Fatigue Break up long sessions with movement-friendly transitions Avoid full-sun exposure for keynotes or breakouts if possible Create rest zones with seating that feels close to the action, not off to the side Build in buffer time between sessions to allow people to recharge Example: Some planners integrate brief wellness activations like 10–15 minute brain-boosting exercises or somatic breathwork sessions between meetings to help attendees recharge both mentally and physically. Dami Kim, director of Body and Brain Corporate Wellness, recommends brain-boosting exercises to improve focus, while Sepideh Eivazi, of Dawn of the Earth and the Global Wellness Institute, offers breathwork to reduce stress and increase energy. What this looks like: Bean bags under trees, a mobile lounge cart with fans and snacks, or hammocks in a quieter corner. 3. Serve Light, Energy-Supporting Food and Drinks Choose foods that feel fresh and easy to digest in the heat: fruit, wraps, salads, popsicles Clearly label all dietary options and allergen information Keep snacks and drinks stocked beyond just meal windows Tip: Offer branded electrolyte packets or chilled fruit-infused water as a low-cost, high-impact touch. For inspiration, check out 25 Health Cautious Catering Ideas for Your Meetings and Events 4. Keep People Engaged and Equipped Set up mobile charging stations throughout the space Provide printed maps and schedules as a backup to apps Use clear signage and wayfinding to minimize walking confusion Train staff to help with tech, logistics, and comfort questions on the fly Add a Wellness Response Team: Assign a few staff or volunteers to check on guests, refill hydration stations, and spot people who may need a break. Give them badges or shirts so they're easy to spot. What Not to Do Some common mistakes are easy to avoid once you know what to watch for: Putting hydration stations far from breakout areas Scheduling anything in the midday sun Relying only on digital tools in a space with weak connectivity Ignoring terrain challenges for guests with mobility needs Forgetting quiet or private spaces for nursing, prayer, or sensory recovery Waiting until someone complains before adjusting your setup Relying on long-term weather forecasts Not having a backup plan For more on weather-proofing your event, see Don't Let Climate Change Blow Your Event Away. Monitor Attendee Wellbeing You don't need to guess how attendees are doing. Build in systems to gather quick feedback and adjust fast. Monitor key zones: Are people lingering or leaving? Are the shaded seats full? Empower staff to fix issues on the spot, whether it's restocking water or moving a session into shade Ask volunteers to report what they hear and see Try this: Set up a 'What Would Help You Right Now?' board with sticky notes or a live comment screen. Update your response plan every few hours based on the input. Wellness Drives Engagement and Outcomes When people feel good, they stay longer. They network more. They absorb what you've worked hard to deliver. Prioritizing wellness during an outdoor event isn't just thoughtful but strategic. You don't need a spa tent or a massive budget to get this right. You need intention and visibility. And you need a team that's empowered to care for people in real time. Because when attendees feel taken care of, they take more away from the experience.
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Business Standard
30-04-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Air India upgrades 50% of fleet under $400 million retrofit programme
Air India on Wednesday announced that it has featured refurbished cabin interiors in more than 50 per cent of its fleet. This move is part of its $400 million retrofit programme of the airline to improve travel experience across both its narrow-body and wide-body aircraft. In its statement, the airline said, 'As we await deliveries of new aircraft, our entire fleet of legacy single-aisle and twin-aisle aircraft is undergoing a comprehensive retrofit.' New seats in a three-class cabin configuration — Business Class, India's only Premium Economy, and an upgraded Economy Class— as well as new carpets, curtains, restrooms, and paint in the updated Air India branding are part of the aircraft upgrade plan. Notably, this upgradation programme is central to the TATA Group-owned airline's five-year transformation plan. 'The programme is an important step forward… It will help provide a consistent product and service experience across the fleet,' the airline said. Retrofit of aircrafts is airline's priority While speaking at the Skift India Forum in March, Air India CEO and MD Campbell Wilson described the retrofit of aircraft as 'the number one priority' for the airline. He confirmed that all legacy wide-body aircraft, including the Boeing 777s and 787s, are scheduled to be fully upgraded by early to mid-2027. 'By early to mid-2027, all of the legacy wide-body aircraft will be upgraded… still slower than we would have liked. We are now pulling these aircraft through a heavy refresh programme,' Wilson had said. Air India aims to complete retrofitting all 27 of its A320neo aircraft by the third quarter of this year, with the first upgraded jet already back in service. Following its merger with Vistara last year, the full-service carrier has also begun repainting and retrofitting the Vistara fleet—a process expected to take another 18 months.
Economic Times
30-04-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
More than 50% of Air India's fleet now features upgraded cabin interiors
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel More than 50% of Air India 's fleet now features refurbished cabin interiors, the airline said on Wednesday, as part of its $400 million retrofit programme aimed at transforming the travel experience across both narrow-body and wide-body aircraft.'As we await deliveries of new aircraft, our entire fleet of legacy single-aisle and twin-aisle aircraft is undergoing a comprehensive retrofit,' the airline said in a upgrades include installation of new seats in a three-class cabin configuration—Business Class, India's only Premium Economy, and an enhanced Economy Class—along with fresh carpets, curtains, lavatories, and new paint in the revamped Air India retrofit is central to the Tata Group-owned airline's five-year transformation strategy.'The programme is an important step forward… It will help provide a consistent product and service experience across the fleet,' the airline India CEO and MD Campbell Wilson , speaking at the Skift India Forum in March, called the retrofit of aircraft 'the number one priority' for the airline. He confirmed that all legacy wide-body aircraft, including Boeing 777s and 787s, are expected to be fully upgraded by early to mid-2027.'By early mid 2027, all of the legacy wide-body aircraft will be upgraded… still slower than we would have liked,' Wilson acknowledged, pointing to seat supply issues and logistical constraints. 'We are now pulling these aircraft through a heavy refresh programme.'Air India also expects to complete retrofitting all 27 of its A320neo aircraft by the third quarter of this year. The first upgraded A320neo has already re-entered full-service carrier, which merged with Vistara last year, is also repainting and retrofitting the Vistara fleet—an effort expected to take another 18 industry-wide concerns, Wilson said the global aviation sector is likely to remain supply-constrained for the next four to five years, with shortages of engines, seats, and aircraft components delaying timelines.'Reality is that it is going to remain a supply-constrained market, not just for Air India or India, but worldwide… for another 4–5 years,' he mitigate the impact, the airline is being strategic in its deployment.'If you are capacity constrained, you have to be a little bit ruthless with respect to where you deploy your aircraft to maximise returns,' Wilson said. 'Getting one or two leased aircraft with a different configuration adds to the complexity rather than advancing you.'
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
More than 50% of Air India's fleet now features upgraded cabin interiors
More than 50% of Air India 's fleet now features refurbished cabin interiors, the airline said on Wednesday, as part of its $400 million retrofit programme aimed at transforming the travel experience across both narrow-body and wide-body aircraft. #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack PM Modi-led 'Super Cabinet' reviews J&K security arrangements Pakistan's General Asim Munir is itching for a fight. Are his soldiers willing? India planning to launch military strike against Pakistan within 24 to 36 hours, claims Pak minister 'As we await deliveries of new aircraft, our entire fleet of legacy single-aisle and twin-aisle aircraft is undergoing a comprehensive retrofit,' the airline said in a statement. The upgrades include installation of new seats in a three-class cabin configuration—Business Class, India's only Premium Economy, and an enhanced Economy Class—along with fresh carpets, curtains, lavatories, and new paint in the revamped Air India branding. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The New £23 per Month Private Medical Insurance That's Sweeping the UK Save Money Market Learn More Undo The retrofit is central to the Tata Group-owned airline's five-year transformation strategy. 'The programme is an important step forward… It will help provide a consistent product and service experience across the fleet,' the airline said. Live Events Air India CEO and MD Campbell Wilson , speaking at the Skift India Forum in March, called the retrofit of aircraft 'the number one priority' for the airline. He confirmed that all legacy wide-body aircraft, including Boeing 777s and 787s, are expected to be fully upgraded by early to mid-2027. 'By early mid 2027, all of the legacy wide-body aircraft will be upgraded… still slower than we would have liked,' Wilson acknowledged, pointing to seat supply issues and logistical constraints. 'We are now pulling these aircraft through a heavy refresh programme.' Air India also expects to complete retrofitting all 27 of its A320neo aircraft by the third quarter of this year. The first upgraded A320neo has already re-entered service. The full-service carrier, which merged with Vistara last year, is also repainting and retrofitting the Vistara fleet—an effort expected to take another 18 months. Addressing industry-wide concerns, Wilson said the global aviation sector is likely to remain supply-constrained for the next four to five years, with shortages of engines, seats, and aircraft components delaying timelines. 'Reality is that it is going to remain a supply-constrained market, not just for Air India or India, but worldwide… for another 4–5 years,' he said. To mitigate the impact, the airline is being strategic in its deployment. 'If you are capacity constrained, you have to be a little bit ruthless with respect to where you deploy your aircraft to maximise returns,' Wilson said. 'Getting one or two leased aircraft with a different configuration adds to the complexity rather than advancing you.'
