Ixigo eyes 80% rise in users to 90 million in FY16

Mobile travel search firm ixigo is looking at around 80 per cent jump in the numbers of its users to 90 million in the current fiscal.
In order to attract more user traffic, the company is also looking to increase the number of hotels and guest houses in its system to 50,000 from the present 24,000 by January next year.
"We are expecting the number of our unique users to grow to 90 million for the current fiscal. It was almost 50 million users for the previous financial year," ixigo co-founder & CEO Aloke Bajpai told PTI.
While trains and buses constitute a very large portion of user traffic; in terms of revenues flights, hotels and packages are the biggest verticals, he added.

Stating that the company has to keep adding more content, Bajpai said, "We have to take the numbers of hotels, guest houses in our system from the present 24,000 to 50,000 by January next year."
The company has feature to book cabs and is bullish on the segment.

"I believe, in future, cabs are going to be a big driver for growth because of the sheer volume of business. Our recent acquisition of Square Hoot Hikes, the parent company of Rutogo is in line with this," Bajpai said.
Ixigo, which is already present in the intra-city cab segment, will also be launching inter-city taxi booking options in 4 to 6 weeks, he added.

On being asked if the company was looking for more acquisitions in the coming months, Bajpai said, "We are always open to the idea. We are always looking out for young hungry teams that understand the travel sector."
He said the company will be increasing awareness about products, brands and marketing in order to drive growth.
When asked if the company plans to raise funds, he replied in the negative adding "...But we may raise funds early next year".
Ixigo helps travellers plan their trips, find various trains and bus services options, book cheap flights, cabs, hotels among others.
Launched in 2007, ixigo has had multiple rounds of funding. Those who have invested include SAIF Partners, MakeMyTrip Ltd and smart phone handset maker Micromax.