Yatra.com is set to pull up its franchisee outlets from 29 to 1oo in one year, as said by an executive. After developing a successful network over the north and central part of country, it is now targeting towards southern and western India.

Rakesh Bawa, head of franchisee and distribution channel of Yatra Online Pvt Ltd., avowed the launching of Yatra franchisee outlet in Mangalore on Saturday.

At present, it has 29 franchisee outlets in the country. “Now our focus will be on southern and western India. The company is planning to increase the total number of its franchise outlets from 29 to 100 in the next one year,” he said.
The company is targeting tier-II urban centres having a population of eight lakh or above, he said.

He said though people book tickets and hotels online, they prefer offline models such as an outlet while planning their holidays.

Offline outlets offer the travellers products and services that include domestic and international holiday packages, air ticketing, hotel reservations and travel insurance among others.

Stating that the industry as a whole has remained unorganised, Bawa said customers across the country want a travel operator offering a range of services and products under one roof. In such a situation, Yatra hopes to reach more customers through franchisee outlets, he said.

Mangalore is the second franchisee outlet in southern India after Chennai. Amritsar and Bhilai franchisee outlets were also launched along with Mangalore, he said.

“These cities are emerging as travel hubs for leisure and business traffic, and these markets are in need of travel outlets like this. By launching franchisees in these cities, we aim to fill this gap,” he added.