Deep Kalra
More actions
| Name | Deep Kalra |
|---|---|
| Role | Entrepreneur, Business Executive |
| Personal Details | |
| Born | 1960Hyderabad, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Career & Education | |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur, Business Executive |
| Education | Bachelor of Arts in Economics; Post Graduate Diploma in Management |
| Alma Mater | University of Delhi; Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad |
| Institution | MakeMyTrip |
| Known For | Founding MakeMyTrip and helping develop India's online travel industry |
| Years Active | 1980s–present |
| Recognition & Links | |
| Awards | Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year; Internet Person of the Year |
| Website | Official Website |
Deep Kalra is an Indian entrepreneur and business executive best known as the founder and Chairman of MakeMyTrip, one of India's major online travel technology companies. He founded MakeMyTrip in 2000, initially targeting Indians living in the United States who needed convenient access to travel services between the United States and India. The company later expanded into the Indian market and became a major digital travel platform offering flight, hotel, holiday, bus and other travel-related services.[1]
Kalra's career spans banking, consumer internet, e-commerce and travel technology. His work at MakeMyTrip is associated with the development of online travel booking in India and the growth of digital platforms serving Indian travelers.
Early life and education
Deep Kalra studied economics at the University of Delhi, where he completed a bachelor's degree in arts with a specialization in economics. He subsequently completed a post-graduate diploma in management from the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA).[2]
His education in economics and management provided a foundation for his subsequent career in financial services, marketing and entrepreneurship.
Early career
Before establishing MakeMyTrip, Kalra worked in several business and financial-services roles. His professional experience included banking, sales and marketing, giving him exposure to consumer businesses and financial products.
He later worked in the technology and internet sector during the early development of India's digital economy. This experience contributed to his interest in building internet-based consumer services.
Kalra eventually identified an opportunity in the travel industry, particularly in simplifying the process of searching for and purchasing travel services.
Founding MakeMyTrip
In 2000, Kalra founded MakeMyTrip. The company initially focused on the US-India travel market, serving Indians residing in the United States and providing online access to air travel between the United States and India.[3]
The early business operated during the development of online commerce and digital payments. Kalra's objective was to use the internet to make travel planning and booking more convenient for customers.
MakeMyTrip subsequently expanded its operations to India. In September 2005, the company launched its India website, allowing Indian consumers to book flights and later other travel products online.[4]
Growth of MakeMyTrip
Following its entry into India, MakeMyTrip expanded beyond airline ticketing into hotels, holiday packages and other travel services.
The company developed a digital platform that allowed customers to search, compare and book travel products. Its services eventually expanded to include air tickets, hotels, alternative accommodations, holiday packages, bus tickets, rail tickets, car rentals, tours and attractions.[5]
MakeMyTrip became a publicly traded company in 2010 when it listed on the NASDAQ in the United States. The listing was an important milestone in the company's development as an Indian-origin internet business.
The company subsequently expanded its digital ecosystem through acquisitions and strategic investments.
MakeMyTrip, Goibibo and redBus
MakeMyTrip's expansion accelerated through acquisitions and consolidation in India's online travel sector.
In 2017, MakeMyTrip completed a merger with Goibibo, creating a larger online travel group. The combined company operates multiple consumer travel brands, including MakeMyTrip, Goibibo and redBus.[6]
The group subsequently expanded into corporate travel, bus transportation, ground transport, travel-agent services, foreign exchange and other travel-related services.
MakeMyTrip also expanded its geographical presence beyond India, including operations in the United Arab Emirates.
Leadership at MakeMyTrip
MakeMyTrip currently identifies Kalra as its Founder and Chairman. The company's leadership profile states that he is responsible for business strategy, policy issues and organizational culture and is involved in the company's sustainability agenda.[7]
Kalra has remained associated with MakeMyTrip since its incorporation. His role has evolved as the company developed from a travel-booking website into a broader travel technology platform.
He has also participated in industry organizations and tourism-related initiatives. MakeMyTrip identifies him as a council member of the World Travel and Tourism Council's India Initiative and a former co-chairman of the National Committee on Tourism and Hospitality of the Confederation of Indian Industry.[8]
Entrepreneurship and industry involvement
Kalra has been involved in India's broader startup and technology ecosystem. He has served on the board of TiE Delhi-NCR and has been associated with organizations supporting entrepreneurship and innovation.
He is also a founder and trustee of Ashoka University. In addition, he has served in advisory and institutional roles connected with education, entrepreneurship and the travel industry.[9]
His professional interests have extended beyond the travel sector into technology, education, entrepreneurship and sustainable tourism.
Recognition
Kalra has received recognition for his contribution to India's internet and entrepreneurship ecosystem.
In 2010, he was recognized as Internet Person of the Year at the India Digital Awards organized by the Internet and Mobile Association of India.[10]
In 2011, he received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award in India.[11]
His work has also been covered by business publications including Forbes India, where he has written and spoken about e-commerce, customer experience and the development of online travel in India.[12]
MakeMyTrip Foundation
Kalra is a trustee of the MakeMyTrip Foundation, the social-development arm associated with MakeMyTrip, Goibibo and redBus.
The foundation was established in 2015 and works on initiatives related to sustainable tourism, climate action, community empowerment and the preservation of tourist destinations. Its programs have included support for local communities, responsible tourism and environmental initiatives across Indian states.[13]
Kalra has also been associated with initiatives promoting more sustainable approaches to travel and tourism.
Impact on online travel
Kalra's entrepreneurial career is closely connected with the development of India's online travel industry.
When MakeMyTrip entered the Indian market in 2005, consumers were increasingly gaining access to internet-based travel booking. The company helped bring flight and hotel reservations onto a digital platform and subsequently expanded into multiple travel categories.
The company's later integration with Goibibo and the addition of redBus broadened its reach across flights, hotels, buses and other travel services. MakeMyTrip describes its current platform as an asset-light marketplace connecting travelers with airlines, hotels, accommodation providers and ground-transport operators.[14]
Personal life
Kalra generally maintains a relatively private personal life. Publicly available professional profiles focus primarily on his entrepreneurship, leadership roles, education and involvement in the travel and technology industries.
Legacy
Deep Kalra is associated with the development of India's online travel sector through the founding and growth of MakeMyTrip.
The company he established in 2000 evolved from a platform focused on US-India air travel into a diversified travel technology group serving millions of travelers through MakeMyTrip, Goibibo and redBus.[15]
His career represents the growth of India's internet economy from the early 2000s to the modern digital-commerce environment. In addition to his role at MakeMyTrip, his work in entrepreneurship, education and sustainable tourism has connected him with several areas of India's business ecosystem.
See also
References
- ↑ "About Us". MakeMyTrip.
- ↑ "Deep Kalra – Founder & Chairman". MakeMyTrip.
- ↑ "We are MakeMyTrip". MakeMyTrip.
- ↑ "Our Journey". MakeMyTrip.
- ↑ "About MakeMyTrip". MakeMyTrip.
- ↑ "Our Journey". MakeMyTrip.
- ↑ "Our Leaders – Deep Kalra". MakeMyTrip.
- ↑ "Deep Kalra – Founder & Chairman". MakeMyTrip.
- ↑ "Deep Kalra – Founder & Chairman". MakeMyTrip.
- ↑ "Deep Kalra – Founder & Chairman". MakeMyTrip.
- ↑ "Deep Kalra – Founder & Chairman". MakeMyTrip.
- ↑ "Deep Kalra – Forbes India". Forbes India.
- ↑ "MakeMyTrip Foundation". MakeMyTrip.
- ↑ "We are MakeMyTrip". MakeMyTrip.
- ↑ "About Us". MakeMyTrip.