MakeMyTrip rolls out new ‘bubble’ holiday packages

Online travel company MakeMyTrip on Thursday announced the launch of a new holiday concept to revive its pandemic-hit business.

Called Bubble Holidays, the service promises an all-inclusive package to ensure a safe and memorable vacation. The company claims the package covers all safety precautions from RT-PCR Covid-19 testing and an insurance policy to movement in private sanitized cabs, Air Asia charter flights with social distancing, stays at luxury IHCL (Indian Hotels Company Limited) hotels, and sightseeing in a sanitized coach. 

“With Special Bubble Holidays, we are responding creatively and responsibly to fulfil travellers’ aspirations by putting safety at the heart of this offering,” Deep Kalra, the founder and executive chairman of MakeMyTrip Group, said in a statement. The package has been launched in partnership with the IHCL and Air Asia.

The bubble holiday package is only available for Delhi to Goa, with an itinerary including stays at the Taj Hotel or Cidade De Goa for four nights and five days. However, more destinations are expected to be added in the coming months.

According to MakeMyTrip,  travellers’ baggage will be sanitized and checked-in at the hotel to ensure hands-free and contact-less check-in and a part of the destination IHCL property will be leased out to them to minimize outside interaction. 

Announcement of the new holiday package comes as the travel company, like its peers across the world,  tries to recover from the damage caused by the pandemic-led travel restrictions. 

In its unaudited results for the quarter ending September 30 (Q2FY21), the company reported $21.1 million in revenue, up from $6.4 million in the quarter before. However, on a year-on-year basis, revenue saw a drop of nearly 82.2% as compared to $118 million in Q2FY20.