In recent years, India’s travel industry has undergone a dramatic transformation, with online bookings becoming increasingly prevalent. As the country’s digital infrastructure improves and smartphone usage skyrockets, Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) have become critical players in the travel ecosystem. For hoteliers and property owners, understanding this landscape is crucial, as is knowing how to optimize your OTA listings to stand out in a competitive market.

This article provides an in-depth look at the top OTAs in India, their market positions, and effective strategies for maximizing your visibility on these platforms. Before we dive into the list, it’s worth noting that each OTA has its unique strengths and audience. To make the most of your online presence, consider implementing these 15 OTA listing optimization strategies across all platforms you use.

Now, let’s explore the top OTAs in Indian who are dominating the market:

18 Top OTAs in India

MakeMyTrip (Including Goibibo)
- Market Share: Approximately 54%
- Key Features: Comprehensive travel services, including flights, hotels, holiday packages, and more
- Notable: Merged with Goibibo in 2016, consolidating its market leadership
- Optimization Tip: Utilize high-quality images and detailed descriptions to stand out on this popular platform. Learn more about effective listing strategies.
Cleartrip
- Market Share: Around 8.5%
- Key Features: User-friendly interface, focus on flights and hotels
- Notable: Partnered with Amazon’s Alexa for voice-based bookings
- Optimization Tip: Ensure your listing is mobile-friendly, as Cleartrip has a strong mobile user base.
EaseMyTrip
- Market Share: Approximately 8.1%
- Key Features: Known for its no-convenience fee model
- Notable: Rapidly growing player in the market
- Optimization Tip: Highlight any special offers or value-adds to attract cost-conscious travelers.
Yatra
- Key Features: Wide range of travel services, strong in corporate travel
- Notable: Listed on NASDAQ, recently acquired by Ebix
- Optimization Tip: If you cater to business travelers, emphasize amenities that appeal to this demographic.
Booking.com
- Key Features: Global player with a strong and growing presence in India
- Notable: Extensive inventory of accommodations worldwide
- Optimization Tip: Maintain a high-quality score by responding promptly to guest reviews. See more tips here.
Expedia
- Key Features: Global OTA offering a wide range of travel services
- Notable: Known for its package deals and loyalty program
- Optimization Tip: Leverage Expedia’s package offerings by ensuring your property is eligible for flight + hotel deals.
Agoda
- Key Features: Strong presence in Asia, including India
- Notable: Part of Booking Holdings, known for competitive pricing
- Optimization Tip: Keep an eye on competitor pricing and adjust yours accordingly to remain competitive.
Ixigo
- Key Features: Meta-search engine and OTA, strong in the rail segment
- Notable: Uses AI and machine learning for personalized recommendations
- Optimization Tip: Provide detailed information about nearby transportation options to appeal to rail travelers.
Via.com
- Key Features: Offers a wide range of travel services
- Notable: Strong presence in tier 2 and tier 3 cities
- Optimization Tip: If you’re located in a smaller city, highlight local attractions and experiences in your listing.
Paytm Travel
- Key Features: Part of the popular Paytm ecosystem
- Notable: Leverages its large user base from its digital payment platform
- Optimization Tip: Consider offering special deals for Paytm users to tap into this large customer base.
Musafir.com
- Key Features: Focuses on both leisure and business travel
- Notable: Strong presence in the Middle East market as well
- Optimization Tip: If you cater to international travelers, highlight any services that might appeal to Middle Eastern guests.
SOTC
- Key Features: Specializes in holiday packages and MICE travel
- Notable: One of the oldest travel brands in India
- Optimization Tip: If you have facilities for events or conferences, make sure they’re prominently featured in your listing.
Thomas Cook India
- Key Features: Offers a wide range of travel and forex services
- Notable: Strong brand recognition and extensive offline presence
- Optimization Tip: Highlight any partnerships or special offers you have with local tour operators or activity providers.
Riya Travel
- Key Features: Focuses on both leisure and corporate travel
- Notable: One of the largest travel companies in India with a significant offline presence
- Optimization Tip: Ensure your offline and online offerings are consistent to provide a seamless experience for guests.
Airbnb
- Key Features: Platform for unique stays and experiences
- Notable: Growing rapidly in India, especially in the alternative accommodations segment
- Optimization Tip: Highlight unique features of your property and local experiences you can offer guests.
Tripadvisor
- Key Features: Review platform with booking capabilities
- Notable: Influential in travel decision-making due to its vast collection of user reviews
- Optimization Tip: Actively manage your Tripadvisor presence, responding to reviews and keeping your information up-to-date. Learn more about managing online reviews.
Travelguru
- Key Features: Specializes in hotel bookings
- Notable: Now owned by Yatra, but maintains its own brand identity
- Optimization Tip: Focus on highlighting your room types and amenities, as Travelguru users are specifically looking for accommodations.
Travelboutiqueonline (TBO)
- Key Features: B2B travel technology provider
- Notable: Powers many smaller OTAs and travel agents in India
- Optimization Tip: Ensure your property is listed with TBO to increase your visibility across multiple smaller OTAs.

Key Trends Shaping India’s OTA Landscape

Mobile-First Approach: With increasing smartphone penetration, OTAs are focusing on mobile apps and mobile-optimized websites. Ensure your listings are mobile-friendly across all platforms.
Personalization: OTAs are leveraging AI and machine learning to offer personalized recommendations and deals. Provide detailed information about your property to help these algorithms match you with the right guests.
Alternative Accommodations: There’s growing interest in unique stays, driving the growth of platforms like Airbnb. If you offer a unique experience, make sure to highlight it in your listings.
Domestic Travel Focus: Post-pandemic, there’s a strong emphasis on domestic travel and staycations. Tailor your offerings and descriptions to appeal to local travelers.
Integrated Services: OTAs are expanding beyond travel to offer complementary services like food delivery and local experiences. Consider partnering with local attractions or restaurants to enhance your offerings.

Optimizing Your Presence Across OTAs

While each OTA has its unique features, there are some universal strategies you can apply to optimize your listings across all platforms:

Use high-quality images: Visual appeal is crucial in the travel industry. Invest in professional photography to showcase your property at its best.
Write compelling descriptions: Highlight what makes your property unique and appeal to your target audience’s needs and desires.
Maintain rate parity: Consistent pricing across all platforms builds trust with potential guests and maintains good relationships with OTAs.
Respond to reviews promptly: Engage with both positive and negative reviews to show that you value guest feedback.
Keep your information up-to-date: Regularly update your amenities, policies, and availability to ensure accuracy across all platforms.

For a more comprehensive guide on how to make your listings stand out, check out our detailed article on 15 OTA listing optimization strategies. These tactics can help you increase your visibility, improve your conversion rates, and ultimately drive more bookings across all OTA platforms.

The Future of OTAs in India

The Indian OTA market is poised for significant growth, with projections suggesting it could reach $15 billion by 2024. As the market evolves, staying ahead of the curve in terms of optimization strategies will be crucial for success.

For hoteliers and property owners, having a strong presence across multiple OTAs is essential. However, it’s equally important to optimize your OTA listings to stand out in this competitive landscape. By understanding the strengths of each platform and tailoring your approach accordingly, you can maximize your visibility and bookings in India’s booming online travel market.

Remember, the key to success in the OTA landscape is not just about being present on multiple platforms or on all the top OTAs in India, but about presenting your property in the best possible light on each one. By implementing effective optimization strategies, you can ensure that your property stands out, regardless of which OTA a potential guest is using.