MAM
Booking.com unveils how Indian travellers plan their trips
Mumbai – Everyone plans their holidays differently. While some Indian travellers prioritise securing the perfect flight deal first, others crave the comfort of booking their accommodation before planning the rest of their travel itinerary.
Booking.com’s Travel Trends for 2024 unveils interesting insights into the mindset and behaviour of Indian travellers when they plan their trips. While 61 per cent of travellers book flights and 37 per cent book event tickets well in advance, car rentals, restaurant reservations and even taxis are either booked along with the accommodation or left until closer to the trip date.
Planning for Takeoff: Flights Lead the Way: More than half (61 per cent) of Indian travellers book their flights before securing accommodation while planning their holiday.
The All-in-One Approach: Around a quarter of Indian travellers prefer booking multiple aspects of their trip at the same time and are looking to book flights, accommodation, attractions, car rentals, restaurant reservations and even taxis simultaneously on a platform offering seamless travel experience.
Foodies Rejoice: While making decisions about the choice of accommodation, Indian travellers emphasise culinary convenience. 40 per cent of travellers are willing to pay extra for that delicious breakfast spread and 54% crave unique food experiences like food tours and cooking classes.
Last-Minute Decisions on the Ground: Nearly a third (13 per cent to 33 per cent) of Indian travellers wait until after booking their stays and just before their trips, to arrange car rentals, restaurant reservations and taxis. They are looking for flexible and spontaneous experiences during their travels. This likely allows them to discover hidden gems and local delights once they are settled into their destination, adding an element of surprise and discovery to their itinerary.
Train Travel: Planning is Key: More than half (58 per cent) of Indian travellers book train tickets before securing accommodation to ensure a smooth journey and avoid the stress of last-minute scrambling for seats.
Event Enthusiasts Plan Early: Similar to flights, 37 per cent of travellers prioritise booking event tickets before their accommodation. Whether it is a music concert or a sporting event, securing event tickets ensures these experiences become a highlight of the trip.
Booking.com country manager for India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia Santosh Kumar commented, “Booking.com Travel Trends provides valuable insight into the travel planning behaviour of Indian travellers. By understanding these preferences, the travel industry can tailor their offerings to cater to different planning styles and preferences – and at the right time across the traveller journey. Whether it’s the meticulous planner or adventurous improvisers, Booking.com is committed to making it easier for everyone to experience the world.”
How Indians are booking various aspects of their travel
Brands
Sun Pharma to acquire Organon in $11.75 billion deal at $14 per share
Acquisition to create $12.4 billion pharma giant with global scale and biosimilars push
MUMBAI: Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Organon & Co. in an all-cash deal valued at $11.75 billion, marking one of the largest cross-border pharma acquisitions by an Indian firm.
Under the terms of the agreement, Organon shareholders will receive $14.00 per share in cash, with Sun Pharma set to acquire 100 per cent of the company’s outstanding shares. The transaction, approved by the boards of both companies, is expected to close in early 2027, subject to regulatory approvals and shareholder consent.
The deal significantly expands Sun Pharma’s global footprint and strengthens its position across women’s health, biosimilars, and branded generics. The combined entity is projected to generate revenues of around $12.4 billion, placing it among the top 25 pharmaceutical companies globally.
Organon, which was spun off from Merck in 2021, brings a portfolio of over 70 products spanning women’s health and general medicines, with operations across more than 140 countries. Its established presence in key markets such as the US, Europe, and China complements Sun Pharma’s existing strengths and growth ambitions.
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited executive chairman Dilip Shanghvi said, “This transaction represents a significant opportunity for Sun Pharma to build on its vision of reaching people and touching lives. Organon’s portfolio, capabilities and global reach are highly complementary to our own.”
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited managing director Kirti Ganorkar added, “This transaction is a logical next step in strengthening Sun Pharma’s global business. Together, we will become a partner of choice for acquiring and launching new products.”
From Organon’s side, Organon & Co. executive chair Carrie Cox noted, “This all-cash transaction offers compelling and immediate value to Organon stockholders, while positioning the business for continued growth under Sun Pharma.”
Strategically, the acquisition gives Sun Pharma entry into the global biosimilars space as a top 10 player and strengthens its innovative medicines portfolio, which is expected to contribute around 27 per cent of combined revenues. The deal is also expected to nearly double EBITDA and cash flow, supporting long-term deleveraging and investment capacity.
Sun Pharma plans to fund the acquisition through a mix of internal accruals and committed financing from global banks, while maintaining focus on disciplined integration and operational continuity post-merger.
If completed as planned, the deal signals a clear shift in India’s pharmaceutical ambitions, from scale at home to leadership on the global stage, with Sun Pharma positioning itself as a more diversified and innovation-led healthcare powerhouse.
