30 Minute Interview

'OTAs should worry about the traditional agents coming online'

ezeego1.com is a new kid in the OTA space but, Neelu Singh, its COO, is determined about not letting the portal be bullied around. By Chetan Kapoor

Neelu Singh COO ezeego1.com

What are the new initiatives at ezeego1?

We have launched blogs and are working towards incorporating video blogs for our customers. We have enhanced our corporate engine for some of our corporate clients. However, the biggest initiative is that of the 300 franchise outlets to be opened over three years; the first one will open in the suburbs of Mumbai soon.

We are also working on multiple-sector flights for business travellers and are looking at cash transactions and collections through our call centres and homes, respectively. Lastly, we are even working on international expansion and integrating some international LCCs on our website.

How is the B2B segment shaping up?

We have always been clear of targeting the B2B segment. Of late, we have been doing road shows across the country and tapping both, the IATA and non-IATA affiliated agents and are trying to familiarise them with our system. Our product benefits the travel agents in the sense that the portal is a platform and all products available are commissionable. In fact, we even have an affiliate site solely for the travel agents to log in and conduct their business.

What about innovations with technology?

We are focussing in a big way on m-commerce in spite of there being a mixed reaction in the market. We believe that a lot of people are moving towards transacting on the phone and are only anticipating this number to increase purely because of the ease of use.

Within the organisation, we are working towards a 100 per cent accounting automation, (which is 70 per cent at the moment) and having low staff strength. We would rather work with a limited team that will do quality work than to have large teams in place that does a shoddy job.

How do you plan to increase the visibility and distribution of your brand?

In terms of marketing, we have tied up with some websites for white-label solutions or co-branding activities. For example, we have affiliations with cricinfo.com and jeevansathi.com. We also come up with new alliances and partnerships every second week to increase our distribution network.

Lastly, how do you perceive the future of OTAs?

OTAs will see a lot of consolidation. There will be a lot of mergers and acquisitions with a lot of big and international players coming in. But the biggest worry would be the traditional agents coming online, since they already have brand awareness and most importantly, the reliability factor.