- Elevator's Pitch
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"Want to travel more while spending less? Agoda is a seamless platform for booking hotels, vacation rentals, and other travel services, offering unmatched affordability, convenience, and reliability.
With 98.9 million monthly website visits and over 100 million times app downloads so far, Agoda is one of the most loved platforms among travelers. Unlike other platforms, Agoda simplifies travel by providing end-to-end solutions and the most competitive pricing.
Planning your next trip? Download the Agoda app today!"
For Travel Enthusiasts, who needs seamless and end-to-end travel booking experience, Agoda is an online travel agency that provides convenience, affordability and a range of travel services such as Stay, flights, on-ground transportation and experiences for a hassle-free experience.
ICP 1 | ICP 2 | ICP 3 | ICP 4 | ||||
Name | Shefali | Abhishek | Priyanka | Pallav | |||
Age | 34 | 22 | 29 | 28 | |||
Gender | Female | Male | Female | Male | |||
City | Pune | Nagpur | Pune | Rajkot | |||
Occupation | Supply Director @ Swiggy | Student | Working Professional | Working Professional | |||
Monthly Income | 2L+ | 0 - 50K | 50K - 1 lakh | 50K - 1 lakh | |||
Marital Status | Unmarried | NA | Married | Unmarried | |||
Kids | NA | NA | 1 | NA | |||
Frequency of travel/year | 20-25 | 2 | 10 - 12 | 7-8 | |||
Number of work trips | 20 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |||
Number of personal trips | 5 | 2 | 5-7 | 7-8 | |||
Go-to place in India | Goa | Does not like to repeat | Nagpur, Nearby Pune | Himachal (been there 3 times) | |||
Go-to place abroad | Thailand | Never been to abroad | Just did one international trip | Never been to abroad | |||
3 places on your bucket list in India | Manali, Jammu, Ayodhya, Coimbatore | Sikkim, Kerala, Rajasthan | Bangalore, Gokarna, Jibi | ||||
3 places on your bucket list abroad | Amsterdam, Europe, China | Japan, Spain, Anime | Dubai, New York, Rome | USA, Japan, Bali | |||
Are you a city person or a nature person? | Both | Nature | Nature Mostly | Nature | |||
Travel partner/people | Friends & Partner | Friends and Family | Husband now, Earlier Friends | Friends, Solo | |||
How far in advance do you plan your trips? | For India - Impromptu International - 1-2 months before | 1-2 months before | Short trips a week ago, Long trips 1/2 months ago | 1-2 months before | |||
Early planner or last minute? | Last minute mostly | Early Planner | Early Planner | Early Planner | |||
What’s your overall mood or outlook when it comes to planning trips? | Want to relax, More leisure time, want to try different cuisines, want to understand culture and people of that place | Want to do as many acitivities as possible, should be budget friendly, everyone should be able to afford, Loves to go to religious places | Want to relax, Need me time Wanna go for a mix of leisure and exploring | Want to interact with similar mindset people Be among nature Explore new places | |||
Travel challenges | Coordination problems with friends, Had to make WhatsApp groups then people take time to choose | We plan travel dates long back but book accomodation just few days before trip because of which it gets difficult sometimes to get a hygienic place | Not as such | Not as such | |||
Do you prefer staying in hotels or going for experiences? | Experiences but not a lot | experiences and acitivities as much as possible | I prefer exploring but it should not be hectic | going for experiences | |||
Prefer Hotel/Homestay/Hostels? | Hotels | Hotel mostly - homestays are expensive | Hotels | Hostels | |||
Why do you prefer Hotel/Homestay/Hostels? | In room dining is a lot easier | In hotels you get cheap options yet hygienic - other options we feel are either expensive or if we think about dorms - 8 people 1 washroom it gets difficult | I don't want to get that homely feeling, I get that enough During trip I want to relax hence I prefer hotels | I get to interact with different culture people | |||
What do you look for in a stay while traveling? | Convenience, 5 star amentities, Hygiene | Hygienic place - Standard amenities works | Hygienic + Good Amenities + Good view is a plus | Hygience, Common areas are very imp for me, A nice view, all basic amenities | |||
Who takes the final call on travel plans? | Depends - But I am okay with anything mostly | We all do it together, In case of family - Parents take it | I do | I do mostly | |||
How do you book your flights? | MMT, Because of Army discount , Compares on Skycanner | NA | MMT, Even if its slightly expensive because its trusted | MMT - Convenient | |||
How do you book your stay? | Domestic - MMT, International - Bookings.com because it gives pay | Locally because they give discounts if we book directly | Zostel or some other hostel Apps | ||||
How do you book experiences? | Local websites | We never book it online, do it locally | We do it locally once we reach there | Usually do it locally | |||
Source to find new cities/places | Social Media, Friends recommendations | Social Media - Instagram, Youtube, Word of Mouth | Instagram mostly - through travel reels | Follow and watch travel vlogs on Youtube | |||
Travel apps you use? | MMT, Skycanner, Agoda, Trip Advisor, Airbnb | I don't use Apps | MMT, Skyscanner, Agoda | MMT, Zostel, Booking.com | |||
Reason to use these apps? | MMT - For domestic travel - Army discount | NA | MMT - Because its trusted Skyscanner - To compare flights Agoda - For Affordable stays | MMT - Convenient | |||
Which UI do you like the most? | All are horrible - MMT is fine | Can't comment | I don't like most of them, MMT is okay | MMT | |||
Notifications are on for these apps? | MMT - Yes, Others - No | No | No | No (Have not installed the App), Use website | |||
Do you delete these apps once back from travel? | No | No | No | NA | |||
Overall screen time | 8 hours | 4-5 hours | 30 - 1 hours | 5-6 hours | |||
Social media apps you use? | Instagram, Youtube (barely) | Instagram, Youtube | Instagram, Snapchat | Youtube, Instagram, LinkedIn | |||
Time spent on Instagram | 30 - 1 hour | 1-2 hours | 0-30 mins | 30 mins | |||
Time spent on YouTube | Negligible | 1-2 hours | Negligible | 2 - 3 hours | |||
Influencers you follow | Akriti Rana (IG), Shaurya (IG), Bruised Passport (IG) | Ankita C (YT channel) , Fa2 (YT channel ) | Don't remember, Follows some Lifestyle Influencers | Rohni and Batoo (YT Channel) | |||
2025 Travel Goals | Thailand, Goa, Europe | No Plans, Will go impromptu | 3-4 hometown trips to Nagpur Goa, Darjeeling, Dubai | Himachal in Feb (Already booked) | |||
Hobbies | Travel, Trying different cuisine & cocktails, to know about people and culture | PS Games, Listening to Music, Spend time with friends, Badminton | Gym, Watching Series on Netflix Prime, Hotstar | Gym, Travel, Read about Startup culture Watch YT Channels - such as Starter Stories | |||
Average Spend Per Trip Per Head - Domestic | 40-60K | 10-20K | 20-30K | 20-30K | |||
Average Spend Per Trip Per Trip - International | 1.5-2.5Lakhs | NA | 50-60K | NA |
Criteria | Adoption Rate | Appetite to Pay | Frequency of Use Case | Distribution Potential | TAM (User/Currency) |
ICP 1 | Moderate | High | Moderate | High | $1.13 billion |
ICP 2 | Low | Low | Low | High | $3.25 billion |
ICP 3 | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | High | $3.33 billion |
ICP 4 | Low | Moderate | Low | High | $1.24 billion |
Basis above given ICPs, we will prioritize ICP 1 and 3 for our study.
(I have taken a pessimist approach that is lower number for calculating the TAM, For example - the average commission to calculate Average Revenue per trip I have taken as 15% whereas this number can lie anywhere between 12 - 20%)
Example for ICP 1:
Total Population in India (Between 30-35 age) = Approx. 100 million
%tage of people earning above 2lakhs/month = Approx 2%
So, Potential Customers = 100,000,000×0.02=2,000,000
Domestic Trips per year = 2.5/year (Average)
Spent on Domestic Trips (Per Trip Per Head) = 50K (Average)
International Trips per year = 1.5/year (Average)
Spend on International Trips (Per Trip Per Head) = 125K (Average)
Average Commission by Agoda (Estimated) - 15%
So Average Revenue per trip:
Domestic = 50K x 15% = 7.5K
International = 125K x 15% = 18.75K
TAM = 2000000 x [(2.5 x 7500) + (1.5 x 18750)]
= $ 1.13 Billion
Factors | MMT | Goibibo | Cleartrip | Easemy trip | Ixigo |
What is the core problem being solved by them? | one-stop platform for flights, hotels, trains, buses, and experiences | Solves the issue of finding competitive pricing across flights, buses, and hotels, especially for domestic travel. | Providing seamless and simple travel booking Focus on Flights & Train bookings Simpler UI | Solves the challenge of costly travel services by providing cost-effective alternatives for flights, hotels, and holiday packages. | solves the problem of managing multiple sources for booking travel by consolidating data for comparison and booking in one place. |
USP | Trustable, Strong Customer Experience & Support, UI loved by Indian Consumers | Budget Friendly Travel Option GoCash - Discounts & Loyalty Points | Simple Platform with focus on flights and train booking | Zero convenience fees and discounted fares, making travel more affordable. | aggregating travel options from different sources to provide consumers with the best choices |
What are the products/features/services being offered by them? | Flights Hotels Trains Buses Holiday Packages Experiences Corporate Travel Visa & Forex Services Travel Insurance | Flights Hotels Trains Buses Holiday Packages Cab & Rentals Experiences GoCash (Loyalty Points) | Flights Hotels Trains Buses Experiences Holiday Packages Travel Rewards | Flights Hotels Trains Buses Holiday Packages Visa & Forex Services Travel Insurance Special Deals | Flights Trains Buses Hotels Holiday Packages Experiences Travel Search Engine Trip Planner |
Who are the users? - Demographics | Age Bracket - 25 - 45 Income Group - Middle to high- income Occupation: Professional, Corporate Employees, Business Owners Location: TIer 1 and 2 cities | Age Bracket: 20-40 Income Group - Middle Income mostly Occupation: Student, Young Professionals, Small business owners Location: Urban and Semi Urban areas | Age Bracket: 25-45 Income Group - Middle to Upper Middle Class Occupation: Working professionals, business travellers Location: Urban cities - mostly tier 1 | Age Bracket - 25-40 Income Group: Middle class group Occupation: Young professionals, families, small business owners Location: Urban and semi-urban areas, especially Tier 2 cities | Age: 20-40 years |
Who are the users? - Travel Behaviour | Frequent Flyers - Both business & leisure Type of trips - Family holidays, Corporate bookings, Partner & group trips Preference: International Trips - Premium Services | Frequent Domestic Travellers Type of trips: Regular short trips with family/friends/partners Preference: Budget conscious folks, seeks discounts and loyalty points | Frequent travellers preferring simple UI Tech Savvy folks Domestic and International travellers | Price-sensitive travelers Looks for affordability, budget holiday packages | Budget travelers focused on finding the best deals through comparison |
GTM Strategy? | Extensive Advertising Campaign Celebrity endorsement Brand Partnerships Loyalty Program Digital Marketing Segment segregation | Price Competitiveness High Focus on Mobile Donwloads Partnership Gamification Youth Targeting | Promotes Easy to use UI Partnerships with Airlines or Brands Premium Users focus Leverages Credit Card promotions Relies a lot on Word of Mouth | No convenience fees Target to Tier 2/3 cities with localized campaigns Partnerships Referral Marketing Performance Marketing | Focuses on being a discovery platform too Train Centric Focus for travel Target tier 2/3 to download the App Personalised recommendation Content Marketing |
What Channels do they use? | Digital Advertising Email Marketing Affiliate Marketing Traditional Media (TV, radio, print) Performance Marketing Partnerships | App-Based Marketing Social Media Influencer Marketing Referral Programs Performance Marketing | Search Engine Marketing (SEM) Email Campaigns Partnership Marketing Social Media Ads Content Marketing | Performance Ads Social Media Email and SMS Marketing Referral Campaigns Regional Marketing | SEO and SEM Social Media Content Marketing Mobile-First Approach Partnerships |
What pricing model do they operate on? | Commission-Based Convenience Fees Subscription Pricing | Commission-Based Convenience Fees Cashback Model | Commission-Based Convenience Fees Bundled Discounts | No Convenience Fees Commission-Based Add-On Services | Affiliate Model Commission-Based Freemium Model |
How have they raised funding? | Publicly listed on NASDAQ, raised $780M in its IPO (2010); later funding from Ctrip (Trip.com Group) and other investors. | Owned by MakeMyTrip after a $1.8B merger with ibibo Group (backed by Naspers and Tencent) in 2016. | Acquired by Flipkart (Walmart-backed) in 2021; previously raised undisclosed amounts from investors like Concur Technologies. | Bootstrapped and profitable; listed on NSE/BSE in 2021, raising ₹510 crores through IPO. | Raised $53M in Series C (2021) from investors like GIC, Sequoia Capital, and Elevation Capital; preparing for IPO. |
Brand Positioning | A premium one-stop travel solution for seamless bookings. | Budget-friendly travel deals for a young audience. | A simple and reliable platform for premium travelers. | Cost-effective travel bookings with no convenience fees | A smart travel companion for budget and train travelers |
UX Evaluation | Comprehensive navigation Personalized recommendations Feature-rich interface Engaging visuals Occasional clutter | Gamified experience Easy-to-use interface Youthful design Fast loading Discount visibility | Minimalistic design Intuitive navigation Clean visuals Consistent performance Focused on simplicity | Straightforward interface Minimal distractions Fast booking flow Value-centric design Basic visuals | Data-rich interface Smart features (e.g., PNR tracking) Search-focused design Budget-centric UX Cluttered at times |
What is your product’s right to win? | Price Transparency - No hidden fees, best prices guaranteed Can leverage Global Expertise | Superior Accomodation - Luxury & Unique Tech- driven Personalisation | Global Inventory Superior Deals and Offers | Price Advantage Personalised trip suggestions | Exclusive hotel bookings Global Network |
What can you learn from them? | Comprehensive Bundling Aggresive Marketing | Segment centric approach - Eg Youth Loyalty program | Simple UI Loyalty Program | Zero convenience fee Affordability Focus | localised content |
TAM: (Data available online)
For now, Agoda's primary business comes from accommodation (hotels, homestays, resorts) and related services, not flight and train bookings.
Channel Name | Effort | CAC | Flexibility | Lead Time | Scale |
Organic | ​High | Low | Medium | High | Medium |
Meta Ads | Low | Low | High | Low | High |
Youtube Ads | Low | Low | High | Low | High |
Product Integration | High | Low | Low | High | High |
Content Loops | Moderate | Low | Moderate | Low | High |
Influencers | Low | High | Low | Low | Medium |
In Indian market, when it comes to travel - brands needs to be aggressive on marketing. The brand which does highest marketing in India which is MMT has the highest market share (this is not the only reason though 🙃 But in India, jo dikhta hai vo bikta hai)
Basis above table, we must prioritize Meta Ads, YouTube Ads and Content Loop. This is also because the ICP 1 and ICP 3 which are our focus ICPs spends a lot of time on these channels and gets inspired by the travel content.
Why should we even think of content loop for Agoda when other platforms are focusing on providing simpler UI or Cashbacks etc. This is because no travel platform in India today is leveraging this channel actively. Travel is something people want to check out via Reels, Youtube Vlogs or family/friends stories in such a case why not leverage content loops? Remember when Indian Influencers started posting about Azerbaijan on reels? Apparently the searches for Baku and Azerbaijan skyrocketed and jumped 450%!
The Idea?!: Agoda can create a page on multiple social media channels such as Instagram, Youtube and Facebook and Re-share or collaborate the content created by Influencers, Travel Enthusiasts or even common people. Strategically the team can define the Re-sharing criteria such as Hidden Places, Not so popular countries, Travel Tips/Hacks on airlines, local etc, Unique properties with views, food and culture of the country etc. Agoda will get a readymade content mostly and people will resonate with it if they re-share common people's content too (if they tag Agoda that means they are giving consent to do so) and Travel enthusiast will get visibility. Win-win for both!
(Agoda can mention a subtle captions/descriptions in the post mentioning for best deals for the country/place - Visit Agoda App today!)
Step 1 → Nail down your content creator, content distributor and your channel of distribution.
Content Creator: Travel Enthusiast (60%) + Agoda Creative Team (40%)
Content Distributor: Agoda's Social Media Pages especially Instagram
Choice of channel for distribution: Instagram, Youtube and Facebook.
Step 2 → Decide which type of loop you want to build out.
Hook :
There can be various hooks
Messaging: Messaging can be around tips/hacks to get best deals, new country for Indians to explore, hotels with serene view, Best beach in the country to visit, Best food to have in Bali, Experiences to try in Baku
Generator : Travel Enthusiast (60%) + Agoda Creative Team (40%)
Distributor : Agoda
First, Content details of a user (me) that can be shown in content loop:
Step 3 → Create a simple flow diagram to represent the content loop.
(Understand what is already being done, what is working out well and what needs to be stopped)
Step 1 → Define the CAC: LTV ratio. If your product has a healthy CAC:LTV ratio, proceed with paid ads.
Total Revenue per Customer = ₹32,000 (domestic) + ₹20,000 (international) = ₹52,000
LTV = Gross Profit per Customer - Customer Acquisition Cost
LTV = ₹13,000 - ₹1,200
LTV = ₹11,800
Final LTV Calculation:
Step 2 → Choose an ICP
We will focus on ICP 3 for Paid Ads
Step 3 → Select advertising channels
Step 4 → Write a Marketing Pitch
Agoda Marketing Pitch for Female Travelers (25-30)
Discover the Perfect Getaway with Agoda: Your Dream Vacation, Tailored to You
Are you a modern woman who balances work, fitness, and the thrill of travel? Whether you're seeking a relaxing beach resort to unwind or an exciting city escape with your loved ones, Agoda makes it effortless to plan and book your next getaway.
With Agoda, you can:
Whether you’re craving a beach retreat, a nature resort, or a vibrant city to explore, Agoda gives you the best of both worlds. With us, you don't just book a hotel—you unlock unforgettable experiences, from delicious local food to thrilling adventures.
Agoda is here to transform your travels into cherished memories.
Step 5 → Customize your message for different customer segments to ensure relevance
Let's divide this ICP basis the travel behavior and hobbies of this ICP:
Pitches Basis the different customer segment for the same ICP:
The Luxury Seeker
"Looking to travel in style? With Agoda, experience five-star luxury wherever you go. From world-class hotels to premium amenities, enjoy comfort, relaxation, and service at its finest. Your dream vacation is just a booking away. Discover luxury with Agoda—where your getaway feels like a five-star experience every time."
Nature Enthusiasts
"Craving some fresh air and wide-open spaces? With Agoda, explore nature's best-kept secrets. Whether it's serene beaches or breathtaking mountain resorts, we've got the perfect getaway to help you disconnect and unwind. Nature is calling—book your peaceful retreat with Agoda today."
Urban Explorers
"Ready to dive into city life? Agoda brings you closer to the heart of the world’s most exciting cities. From the best shopping districts to vibrant nightlife, find your perfect city escape. Explore urban jungles, local culture, and all the adventure you can handle. Stay smart, stay close, with Agoda."
Family Vacationers
"Planning your next family getaway? Agoda has you covered! Find the best family-friendly hotels and activities that everyone will enjoy. From safe, comfortable stays to fun-filled adventures, make memories that last a lifetime. Your perfect family vacation starts with Agoda."
Food and Culture Explorers
"Travel for the taste, the culture, and the experience. With Agoda, you can discover the world through food and authentic local experiences. From street food to fine dining, explore new flavors, sights, and sounds. Your next culinary adventure awaits—book with Agoda and make your tastebuds travel."
Influencers
"Are you ready for your next Instagram-worthy getaway? Agoda helps you find the most stunning, photogenic stays for your next travel content. From sleek city hotels to beautiful nature resorts, turn every trip into a picture-perfect moment. Share your journey with Agoda, and let the world see where you’ve been."
Step 6 → Design at least two ad creatives (e.g., images, sketches, videos, text ads) that reflect your marketing pitch.
(Understand, where does organic intent for your product begins?)
​
Step 1 → Identify complementary products used by your ICP
Step 2 → Use the selection framework
Channel Name | Time to go live | Tech Effort | New users we can get (monthly) | New Users we can get in Month 1 | New Users we can get in Month 2 | New Users we can get in Month 3 |
IRCTC for Train Bookings | ​6 months | High | 70K-1L | 90K- 1lakh | 1lakh - 1.5Lakh | 2lakhs above |
Google Pay | ​4 weeks | Moderate | ||||
Integration Partner 3 | ​ | ​ |
Step 3 → Collaborate with necessary stakeholders
Step 4 → Map the customer journey
Step 3 → Design the wireframe with the new integration
Step 3 → Run pilot tests before launching
Step 3 → Measure post-integration metrics
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