skyscanner different from make my trip ixigo, ibbibo, expedia and booking .com

Skyscanner, MakeMyTrip, ixigo, ibibo, Expedia, and Booking.com are all travel-related platforms, but they serve different functions, have different business models, and cater to varying markets. Here’s a breakdown of how Skyscanner differs from the others: ### Skyscanner - **Functionality**: Primarily a travel search engine that allows users to compare prices on flights, hotels, and car rentals from various booking sites. It aggregates deals rather than selling them directly. - **Business Model**: Operates on a meta-search engine model, meaning it redirects users to third-party websites to complete their bookings. - **Market Focus**: Global reach, serving users looking to compare prices across many airlines and travel agencies. ### MakeMyTrip - **Functionality**: An online travel agency (OTA) that allows users to book flights, hotels, holiday packages, and more directly through its platform. - **Business Model**: Generates revenue by charging a commission on bookings and providing travelers with a complete booking experience on its website or app. - **Market Focus**: Strong emphasis on the Indian market, catering specifically to Indian travelers. ### ixigo - **Functionality**: A travel search engine and trip planning platform mainly focused on travel within India. It aggregates flight, train, and bus ticket prices, providing users with options for travel within the country. - **Business Model**: Similar to Skyscanner in that it provides price comparison services, but it also offers additional features like itinerary planning. - **Market Focus**: Primarily targets Indian travelers. ### ibibo - **Functionality**: An online travel agency that offers flight, hotel, bus, and holiday package bookings. - **Business Model**: Generates revenue through commission on bookings and has a loyalty program to attract frequent users. - **Market Focus**: Focused on the Indian market, similar to MakeMyTrip. ### Expedia - **Functionality**: A comprehensive OTA that allows users to book flights, hotels, car rentals, and vacation packages. It often provides bundled deals for greater savings. - **Business Model**: Revenue comes from commissions on bookings and advertising, alongside its own hotel listings. - **Market Focus**: Global reach, with a strong presence in North America and Europe. ### Booking.com - **Functionality**: Primarily focused on accommodation bookings, including hotels, apartments, and other types of lodgings. It also offers some flight bookings and travel experiences. - **Business Model**: Operates as an OTA but with a strong focus on hotel bookings. Revenue is generated from commissions on bookings. - **Market Focus**: Global, appealing to a wide range of travelers from different demographics. ### Summary - **Skyscanner** acts primarily as a price comparison tool, while the others like **MakeMyTrip**, **Expedia**, and **Booking.com** facilitate direct bookings. - **Geographical Focus** differs, with Skyscanner being global, while platforms like **MakeMyTrip**, **ixigo**, and **ibibo** primarily cater to the Indian market. - Users choose between these platforms based on their specific needs—whether they want to compare prices, book directly, or focus on a particular region or type of travel. Update (2025-07-29): Skyscanner, MakeMyTrip, ixigo, ibibo, Expedia, and Booking.com are all travel platforms, but they serve slightly different purposes and target markets. Here’s a breakdown of how they differ: ### Skyscanner - **Functionality**: Primarily a flight comparison tool that allows users to find the best prices for flights, hotels, and car rentals. It aggregates prices from various travel service providers. - **Business Model**: Acts as a meta-search engine, directing users to third-party sites to complete their bookings. - **User Base**: Global, but particularly popular in Europe and the UK. - **Unique Features**: Offers a flexible search feature that lets users explore prices over a month or year, helping to identify the cheapest travel dates. ### MakeMyTrip - **Functionality**: A comprehensive travel service that includes flight bookings, hotel reservations, holiday packages, and travel insurance, mostly focused on the Indian market. - **Business Model**: Directly books and sells services, often partnering with airlines and hotels. - **User Base**: Primarily targets Indian travelers. - **Unique Features**: Offers unique packages and deals specific to Indian travelers, including domestic travel. ### ixigo - **Functionality**: A travel search engine and planner offering information on flights, trains, hotels, and holiday packages, with a strong emphasis on the Indian market. - **Business Model**: It aggregates information from various sources and sometimes offers direct booking options. - **User Base**: Primarily Indian travelers looking for both domestic and international travel options. - **Unique Features**: Provides train status and ticket booking information, which is particularly useful in India. ### ibibo - **Functionality**: Similar to MakeMyTrip, focusing on flight, hotel, and bus bookings, mainly serving the Indian travel market. - **Business Model**: Directly sells travel products while also aggregating offers from various partners. - **User Base**: Indian travelers, with a focus on budget-conscious consumers. - **Unique Features**: Offers additional services like bus routes and ticket booking. ### Expedia - **Functionality**: A large online travel agency (OTA) that provides booking services for flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises, and vacation packages. - **Business Model**: Direct booking and commission-based model, often bundling services for discounts. - **User Base**: Global, with a strong presence in the US and many other countries. - **Unique Features**: Offers loyalty programs and a vast network of travel services. ### Booking.com - **Functionality**: Primarily a hotel and accommodation booking platform, also offering flights and rental cars. - **Business Model**: Commission-based, focusing on direct bookings through its platform. - **User Base**: Global, with a strong emphasis on travelers looking for accommodation. - **Unique Features**: Extensive range of accommodation options, including unique stays like apartments and hostels, and a user-friendly interface. ### Summary - **Skyscanner** focuses on flight and travel comparisons. - **MakeMyTrip**, **ixigo**, and **ibibo** are more specialized for the Indian market. - **Expedia** and **Booking.com** are global OTAs with extensive services, but Booking.com is more accommodation-focused. Each platform has its strengths and caters to different segments of travelers, making them suitable for various travel needs depending on the destination and services required.