MakeMyTrip in talks with D Pauls Travel & Tours for an equity stake

Nasdaq-listed travel services provider MakeMyTrip’s penchant for acquisitions is only growing keener. The travel company is believed to be in talks for an equity stake in a Delhi-based travel company D Pauls Travel & Tours, say industry executives.

The bid, if successful, will help MakeMyTrip expand its portfolio of offline travel products and services, as it fends off increasing competition in the airline-ticketing space where carriers now offer cheaper fares on their own portals.

Last year, MakeMyTrip had notched up three acquisitions; it bought stakes in Le Travenues Technology, which operates online travel search engine www.ixigo.com, the Singapore-based Luxury Tours & Travel and My Guest House Accommodations, a Delhi-based venture.

More acquisitions could follow, say industry executives, who claim the Delhi-based company is in talks with many more travel service providers. A spokeswoman for Make-MyTrip neither confirmed nor denied the developments. “MakeMyTrip does not comment on rumours and market speculation,” she said over an email response to ET.

D Pauls, offers domestic and international air ticketing, holiday tour packages and inbound tour operation services across South East Asia, Middle East, Asia Pacific and Europe.

“We haven’t transferred any stake in our company to MakeMyTrip or any other person. Also, we are not in discussions with anyone for any stake sale in our company,” said Raghuvinder Singh, MD at D Pauls Travel & Tours.