Makemytrip’s non-hotel stay surpasses pre-covid levels

Makemytrip, which has been doubling down on its alternative accommodation business for three years now, says the segment is seeing bookings at over 100 per cent of pre-pandemic levels.

This comes even as streaming services’ production houses, travelling for shoots to different cities, are contributing to corporate travel bookings. Makemytrip’s alternative accommodation business includes villas, apartments and hostels. It is now adding 1,000 properties to that segment per month.

“Service apartments and hostels were 10-15 per cent of the total room nights prepandemic. Now, villas and service apartments’ contribution has increased. Hostels, as a category, are still lagging behind because that segment has not really opened up,” said Rajesh Magow, cofounder and group chief executive officer (group CEO) at Makemytrip.

He said Makemytrip plans to add another 15,000 properties in alternative accommodation in the next 18 months.

Earlier, hostels were the preferred choice of stay for students with even business travellers looking to spend a night or day in a location.

Given the work-fromhome option across industries, and many contemplating a hybrid model of work, people have travelled for workations, leisure, or just a weekend getaway, and find these a more cost-effective alternative. “The overall cost per person will be relatively cheaper if you are a group of say 6 or 8 people sharing a 3BHK (bedroom, hall kitchen),” said Magow.

Also, nuclear families are looking to have a safe place to themselves. Or, a group of students or colleagues are travelling together to work during the week and for a party over the weekend. They are looking for alternative accommodation, he added.