When you get to the ripe young age of 20, you’re bound to collect lots of stories – not only about the past but lessons for the future.
As WiT marks its 20th year in 2025, we turn the spotlight on our community, our tribe pioneers and leaders, to tell their stories and share their views on the evolution of online travel and technology. We ask them to look back on the past and their early days, reflect on the present and why this moment is pivotal for online travel and get them to imagine the future, the next 20. This special WiT Studio series, “Conversations On Turning 20”, is the collective story of WiT.
As a Chinese saying goes, 以古为鉴，可以知兴替
“By using history as a mirror, one can understand the rise and fall of things.”
Episode 12: Deep Kalra, Founder and Chairman, MakeMyTrip
How do you survive near-bankruptcy, pioneer a new travel model for India, ride through pandemics and stay optimistic about an AI-powered future? Deep Kalra shares personal stories, entrepreneurial lessons, and bold predictions that make this a must-watch.
Key takeaways:
-
“Trial by Fire” – The Rocky Early Years
- Building MakeMyTrip after the dot-com bust, surviving on just two months’ payroll at a time.
- Quote: “Those crazy and tough times really prepared us for the worst. Like solid gold, the more heat you take, the tougher you become.
-
The Big Break: India’s Online Travel Moment
- Why 2005 was the inflection point for India’s online bookings.
- Flights took off first because they were simple products — price, time, brand.
- Quote: “The paradigm shifted — from the travel agent being in control, to the customer being in control.”
-
India Today: Young, App-First, Hungry for More
- India’s massive internet base (~800 million online users) — but only 150 million actually buy online.
- The surge in mobile bookings and the post-COVID boom in hotels, villas, and homestays.
- Quote: “Hotels finally moved online in a big way — it was like pushing water uphill, but now it’s flowing.”
-
The Future: Seamless, AI-Powered, Experience-Centric Travel
- Booking travel in 2045 will be as easy as speaking into a wearable — ultra-relevant, ultra-fast.
- Eco-travel, greener fuels, and personalized experiences (like cooking with celebrity chefs) will define the future.
- Quote: “Time is the only constrained resource we have. The focus will be on creating magical memories.”
-
The Next Paradigm Shift: OTAs Must Morph or Die
- Expect AI-first, agent-like services where your device recommends travel before you even ask.
- OTAs that fail to reinvent themselves will perish.
- Quote: “Agentic flows will become huge — your device will nudge you: ‘Hey, it’s been 45 days since your last trip…'”
-
Global Entrepreneurs: Faster, Stronger, Younger
- Future founders will build massive businesses in their 20s, with smaller, tech-driven teams.
- Quote: “The Olympic spirit — faster, stronger, higher — will define the next generation of entrepreneurs.”
-
Meaning of Life and the Rediscovery of Asia
- Travel will move from chasing material things to seeking ancient wisdom — yoga, meditation, healing.
- Asia’s cultural treasure troves (like Mongolia and the Terracotta Warriors) will see a renaissance.
- Quote: “Once people have enough material wealth, they’ll seek the real meaning of life.”
