India’s online travel-tech platform EaseMyTrip has announced the appointment of Manmeet Ahluwalia as its new Chief Marketing Officer. The appointment is effective immediately and was disclosed in the company’s recent stock exchange filing. In his new role Ahluwalia will oversee the platform’s marketing strategy, customer engagement initiatives and global brand expansion. The move is part of EaseMyTrip’s plan to deepen its presence in India and key international markets.
Ahluwalia brings over two decades of experience in marketing leadership roles within the travel and tourism sector. His professional background includes senior stints at companies such as Expedia, Thomas Cook, Yatra and the Singapore Tourism Board. Among his notable campaign work are the “Daddy of Travel” campaign, “What a Pleasant Surprise” and “Travel Like a Champion”, the last of which marked a global collaboration with UEFA Champions League during his time at Expedia.
According to the company, Ahluwalia’s appointment signals its intent to strengthen brand differentiation, bolster customer-first innovation and deliver seamless travel experiences across channels. His expertise in performance marketing, content strategy and MarTech-driven execution across APAC, EMEA and North America is seen as a key asset for EaseMyTrip’s next phase of growth.
On his appointment Ahluwalia commented that his mandate at EaseMyTrip is clear: elevate the brand while reinforcing commitment to customer-first innovation and seamless travel experiences. He added that marketing must forge meaningful connections and that he is focused on leading the team to solidify its market position, explore impactful avenues for engagement and deliver strategic growth that resonates deeply with travellers across India and beyond.
For EaseMyTrip this appointment comes at a time when the travel-tech sector is witnessing significant change. Consumer expectations are rising around personalised experience, digital convenience and integration of technology throughout the travel journey. The company’s decision to place a senior marketing specialist at the helm of its brand strategy underscores its recognition of evolving customer behaviour, competitive intensity and need for stronger brand-led differentiation.
EaseMyTrip offers services spanning flight bookings, hotel bookings, holiday packages, bus and train bookings and ancillary travel services. Based in New Delhi and founded in 2008, the company has emerged as one of India’s key online travel platforms. Under its leadership to date, the company has invested in expanding its technology stack, enhancing customer experience and building partnerships to strengthen its offerings.
In appointing Ahluwalia the company emphasised that his role will cover India and select global markets. This suggests that EaseMyTrip is seeking to increase international visibility alongside its established domestic business. The company highlighted that its focus will include leveraging digital marketing, travel-tech integration, data-driven insights and creative storytelling to build memorability in a crowded market.
Marketing experts observing the announcement noted that the travel-tech category in India is becoming increasingly brand-driven. As growth slows in some segments, differentiation through brand purpose, consumer trust and meaningful experience is emerging as a key lever. Bringing in a seasoned marketing executive indicates that EaseMyTrip plans to shift from promotional tactics to brand building and customer lifetime value.
Ahluwalia’s track record includes delivering marketing campaigns that blended global brand visibility with regional nuance. His experience spans multiple geographies and marketing disciplines—an advantage for EaseMyTrip as it looks to expand beyond tier-one markets and capture travellers from new segments. His understanding of technology-enabled marketing, data analytics and MarTech platforms is aligned with current industry demand for marketing functions that are both creative and data-driven.
The company also noted that his appointment will accelerate its move toward technology-led marketing operations. EaseMyTrip plans to invest in tools and platforms that enhance consumer insights, personalise travel offers and drive engagement across app, web and offline channels. In this regard, marketing will increasingly partner with product and technology teams to build seamless experiences.
In a recent analyst discussion the travel-tech sector was described as navigating a shift from discount-led growth to value-led growth. Customer acquisition is becoming more expensive, and retention and experience are gaining prominence. EaseMyTrip’s emphasis on brand and marketing leadership aligns with this shift. By placing an experienced marketing executive in charge, the company is aiming to navigate this transition effectively.
Despite the optimism around the appointment, there remain challenges. Travel platforms must contend with macroeconomic headwinds, regulatory changes, evolving customer preferences and intense competition. The success of the new CMO will be judged by his ability to translate marketing strategy into measurable business outcomes such as increased user engagement, improved brand equity and incremental revenue growth.
Looking ahead EaseMyTrip has said that it expects Ahluwalia to lead initiatives that reinforce its market leadership, expand into new geographies and create memorable marketing campaigns that embed the brand into the travel journey of customers. The company’s focus on innovation, customer centricity and global ambition indicates a marketing-driven push into the future of travel-tech.
In summary EaseMyTrip’s appointment of Manmeet Ahluwalia as Chief Marketing Officer represents a strategic step in strengthening its senior leadership, accelerating brand growth and adapting to a rapidly evolving travel-technology environment. With his global experience, cross-functional expertise and track-record in marketing innovation, the company hopes to drive its next chapter of growth through deeper engagement and stronger brand identity.