india’s 20-year push for overnight success
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When Formula 1 Mercedes boss Toto Wolff farewelled seven-time world champion driver from his team after 12 years, his advice was memorable: “It’s most important to remember one thing: find yoru people,” Wolff advised Hamilton. “When you find your people,you don’t just beat the world – you change it.”
For each of these founders, those words ring true. Yet few collections of travel industry tales seem as diverse as the stories of ixigo, HeadOut and TourHero – further proof that when it comes to the travel industry, just as the wonderful collection of destinations it serves, there are so many different ways to find success.
When the news arrived in 2024 that travel company ixigo had achieved an IPO in India that can only be called a resounding success – making the company one of the most oversubscribed tech IPOs in India – some in the market dubbed it the “20-year “overnight success” story”.
Speaking to attendees at Sentosa Island during WiT Singapore’s Bootcamp, Aloke Bajpai, Chairman, MD and group CEO of ixigo, framed the story in a characteristically colourful manner – and one that Toto Wolff himself would surely enjoy.
“Our story is a bit different from most of the OTA stories,” smiles bajpai. “And to use a Formula One analogy,it’s almost a story where someone starts with a bicycle in a Formula One race – and ends up on the podium.”
India, he says, is “so different” from other travel markets, it is indeed almost unfeasible to explain. The IPO was then followed by the October 2025 investment of US$146 million into ixigo by leading global technology investor and operator Prosus (“MIH Investments One B.V.”) for a 10.1% stake. Those who know Bajpai will know that this news has most likely been greeted less as a personal vindication – and more as a massive vote of confidence in India’s travel market as a whole.
The way Bajpai frames the story of the company, now dubbed India’s leading AI-powered travel platform, is indicative of the sense of mission behind its success.
“We started back in 2006, and I consider myself a survivor more than anything else,” he says. “The only piece of advice I can give to all the founders in the room is that 90% of success is just surviving – and indeed, the market has evolved in various ways over the last 18 years.”
Talk to bajpai, and he’ll tell you that his company was lucky to preempt some of the changes in the market. Yet in many ways, others might wonder if any other business leaders would have been anything like as patient with the process as they were.
Some quick background is important. Even today, only 4% of Indians fly (compared to 37% in China and 80% in the US), an indication of the challenge facing this OTA from the outside.
Aloke Bajpai: “The only piece of advice I can give to all the founders in the room is that 90% of success is just surviving, and indeed, the market has evolved in various ways over the last 18 years.”
Starting out in metasearch in 2006, one
Headout’s Varun Khona on Building Experiences, AI, and the “Not-So-Easy” Path to Scale
Varun Khona, founder of experiences platform Headout, doesn’t shy away from acknowledging the challenges of building a successful travel tech company. Speaking at web in Travel (WiT) Singapore 2025, Khona described the journey as anything but easy, stemming from “early, humble beginnings.”
his advice? “If your creating something of true value, then easy is the last word that I have found in the last 10 years of doing this. This used to be known as ‘the last frontier’.”
The company is often discussed in the context of a potential IPO.Khona addressed this, stating, “The way I look at an IPO, we’ve locked in the relationship with it – we are engaged, and we’ve sort of got the ring on. But we are in no hurry to have a specific date for the marriage. time will tell.” He added that Headout is at a stage where an IPO process could be initiated if desired.
Looking at current travel trends, Khona highlighted a growing consumer desire for deeper, more authentic experiences and a wider diversity of options. He also discussed the impact of AI, noting how tools like ChatGPT are transforming travel planning.
“Suddenly there is this super-computer in everybody’s pocket, where they’re just able to converse and find a lot more when they’re traveling,” he observed, adding that this is increasing traveller expectations of travel providers.
Khona believes the next evolution of AI in travel will be voice-activated, followed by an “augmentation layer” that provides immersive storytelling and interactive elements within physical spaces. He envisions a future where travellers can scan environments to learn facts, access soundtracks, and even participate in interactive games, transforming travel from a “docile one-way conversation” into a “far more multi-modal, a lot more engaging and a lot more immersive” experience.
Headout’s new platform, Dex by Headout, is currently in private beta, promising to deliver on this vision.
Varun Khona: “If you’re creating something of true value, then easy is the last word that I have found in the last 10 years of doing this. This used to be known as ‘the last frontier.”
TourHero: Connecting Travelers and Building Community Through Group Tours
TourHero is emerging as a platform focused on facilitating group travel experiences,aiming to connect individuals with shared interests and combat loneliness through real-world adventures. Founded by Tushar, the company differentiates itself by offering an end-to-end booking experience and a vision for building thriving communities around travel.
The Problem TourHero Addresses: Loneliness and the Desire for Connection
In an increasingly digital world,feelings of isolation are prevalent.TourHero directly addresses this issue by providing a platform for people to find and join group tours centered around common passions. Tushar believes this focus on community is where the next major tech opportunities lie, stating, “I actually think the next trillion-dollar platforms are going to be the ones that power this community in real life.” This suggests a shift towards platforms that facilitate tangible, real-world connections, rather than solely existing in the digital space.
How TourHero Works: Streamlining the Group Travel Experience
TourHero aims to simplify the often-complex process of finding and booking group tours. The platform boasts a streamlined booking process, completing transactions “in one minute,” and offering this speed to an expanding list of destinations. A key differentiator is its comprehensive approach: “We’re the first platform that I’ve seen that goes end-to-end, without giving you 20 links.” This suggests that TourHero handles all aspects of the booking process internally, rather than redirecting users to multiple external websites – a common frustration with existing travel booking platforms.
TourHero’s Vision: Profit and Purpose
The company’s success isn’t solely measured in financial terms. TourHero envisions a future where facilitating meaningful connections leads to both profit and positive social impact. If individuals are able to find their “tribes” through shared travel experiences, the company anticipates a dual outcome of financial success and increased happiness for its users. This focus on purpose-driven business aligns with a growing trend of consumers seeking brands that prioritize social responsibility.
Key Takeaways:
* Focus on Community: tourhero prioritizes connecting travelers with shared interests.
* Streamlined Booking: The platform offers a fast and comprehensive booking experience.
* End-to-End Solution: TourHero handles the entire booking process internally.
* Social Impact: The company aims to combat loneliness and foster real-world connections.
TourHero’s approach represents a potentially notable shift in the travel industry, moving beyond simply offering destinations to actively building communities and fostering meaningful experiences. As the desire for authentic connection continues to grow, platforms like TourHero are poised to play an increasingly important role in how people explore the world and find their place within it.
Worth a look