The Indian OTA’s are constantly innovating with both technology and alternative offerings to attract travellers to book via their platform. So both cleartrip and makemytrip have launched something new for their users.
Cleartrip Launches Chat Bot Booking Agent For Trains
Cleartrip has launched what one would call a Chat bot based search engine for trains. A user needs to add cleartrip.trains@gmail.com to any Jabber compliant instant messenger like Google Talk, GMail, iChat and others available here.
The following is a screenshot of a typical search via IM for mumbai to goa tickets.
Hrush Bhatt Founder of Cleartrip also states on the company blog that this same feature could be soon introduced for flights as well. Though the current use case for a chat bot would be miniscule in the long run it could scale if Cleartrip places a chat widget on its homepage and users get used to booking via a chat bot. Alabot is a startup company that provides Natural language chat bots for exactly this purpose.
Makemytrip Introduces Holiday Homes On Rent For Tourists
MakeMyTrip has introduced the option of booking villas, serviced apartments and holiday homes spread over 60 countries across the world. Aimed at both liesure and business travellers one can choose from over 110,000 options of vacation house rentals. Makemytrip provides detailed information on location, property, facilities, activities offered and pictures of the property to enable travellers to make the their decision.
It offers holiday homes option across categories – ranging from budget properties ($70 a night) to luxury accommodations ($200 a night).
This is a value add for travellers especially those looking for a different experience with their trips abroad. It also emphasizes the need to diversify during a downturn and that is exactly what makemytrip seems to be doing by increasing revenue streams and reducing dependency only on travel bookings.
