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MakeMyTrip ‘upgrades’ to bilingual GenAI travel assistant, eyes long-term ROI

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MakeMyTrip Thursday launched a new GenAI-powered trip planning assistant in an “upgrade” to its existing AI agent, Myra. The new tool allows users to plan trips through voice and text in English and Hindi, with plans to add more Indian languages over time. 

While still early days, the platform could eventually bring in millions of new users and help the travel aggregator grow its top line in a market where nearly a billion people are online, but a much smaller fraction transacts online for travel, said Rajesh Magow, co-founder and group CEO of MakeMyTrip.

He made it clear that the company’s investment in GenAI isn’t about immediate ROI. “This business model at the core is built on technology… so the way we see technology is always through the lens of investment,” Magow told Fortune India during the press briefing. “We are not putting a number right now and telling our teams: ‘Okay, here’s the target on this interface.’”

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Instead, Magow called the GenAI assistant “an alternative interface” and positioned it as a long-term bet. “With every interaction, the intelligence is only going to improve… and there is an adoption journey that is there.”

The bigger picture is about future-proofing. “We’ve been investing behind this for a few years already,” Magow said. “On GenAI also, for the last couple of years. Because we see the potential, and we think that there could be potential disruption, and we as market leaders should lead that.”

MakeMyTrip reported a 21% year-on-year increase in adjusted operating profit for Q1FY26, reaching $47.3 million. While the company isn’t pegging any top-line projections directly to GenAI yet, it sees the tech as a crucial part of its long-term growth strategy.

“If you don’t catch the right trend and if you’re not a front runner in that area, there’s a larger risk… This is a long-term bet we are taking, with the belief that it will play out well,” added Sanjay Mohan, group CTO at MakeMyTrip.

One of the key motivations for going deeper into GenAI is language inclusion. India has around 900 million internet users, and yet the number of people booking travel online remains a fraction of that. MakeMyTrip sees this as its biggest headroom for growth.

“Today, we are starting with Hindi. It will come with the other regional languages as well,” said Magow. “We should be able to help users who have shied away so far… Eventually, when the new users come in, obviously they will translate into the new business.”

Mohan added that GenAI’s real impact on consumer-facing products will likely follow a classic “gradually, then suddenly” adoption curve. “That is what will happen with GenAI adoption also,” he said. “And when that shift happens, we should be there.”

Both Magow and Mohan pushed back on the fear that AI will replace jobs. “Whenever new technology blows up, there will always be anxiety, but it will be solved by upskilling,” said Magow, adding that the nature of engineering work has always evolved—from desktop to mobile, and now to AI and data science. “It will boil down to re-skilling the workforce, not necessarily getting too worried about whether there will be job losses.”



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Your Ganpati Visarjan Travel Guide: Mumbai Police Release Full List Of Traffic Diversions And Alternate Routes | India News

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As Ganpati Visarjan festivities are going to be organized throughout Mumbai today, the traffic police in the city have released an exhaustive advisory announcing diversions, alternative routes, and restrictions on traffic movement. Travelers are requested to make advance travel plans so as to avoid inconvenience.

Traffic Restrictions and No-Parking Zones

Some roads in Central Mumbai and the Western Suburbs will be impacted by the celebrations. The movement of goods vehicles is strictly banned on major roads to enable a smooth flow of pedestrian and festival traffic.

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Central Mumbai:

  • Worli: Dr. Annie Besant Road and RG Thandani Road: No parking.
  • Dadar: Goods vehicles are prohibited on Gokhale Road, SK Bole Road, and Swatantravir Savarkar Marg. Parking stands prohibited on Swatantravir Savarkar Marg, MB Raut Marg, and Shivaji Park Road No. 5.
  • Mahim: Goods vehicles are prohibited on Gen AK Vaidya Marg, LJ Road, Mori Road, and TH Katariya Marg.
  • Matunga: Goods vehicles are prohibited on Tilak Bridge Road, and parking stands prohibited on Dr. BA Road.
  • Kurla: Goods vehicles are banned on LBS Road, New Mill Road, and KK Krishna Menon Road.

Western Suburbs:

Santacruz: Goods vehicles are banned on Devle Road and Vaikunthalal Mehta Marg. Parking is restricted on Janardhan Mahtre Road and Juhu Road, among others.

DN Nagar & Goregaon: No-parking zones are in force on a number of important roads, such as JP Road and MG Road.

Kandivali: Goods vehicles are banned on KT Son Marg, Kalpana Chawla Chowk, and Abdul Hamid Road. MG Road and SV Road have no-parking zones.

Suggested Alternate Routes

To relieve congestion, the Mumbai Traffic Police have provided alternative routes to commuters. Motorists can travel via routes like Gold Spot Junction (Bisleri Junction) to Bahar Junction and Shivaji Chowk to Captain Gore Bridge (Parle Bridge) as effective alternates to travel within the city.

ALSO READ | Mumbai Bomb Threat Suspect Arrested In Noida, Police Thwart Ganesh Festival Scare





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UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India that are architectural marvels – Times of India

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UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India that are architectural marvels  Times of India



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Samsonite Launches Paralux™ Collection Worldwide | News

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Samsonite, the iconic and trusted leader in travel gear headquartered in Luxembourg City, LU, and Massachusetts, USA, unveils the Paralux Collection, hardside luggage and bags thoughtfully engineered for travelers who value design, efficiency, and sustainability. Merging exceptional organization with sustainable innovation, the Paralux collection perfects the art of packing, redefining what it means to pack with purpose.

“Paralux is more than a collection—it’s a reflection of our global team’s shared commitment to pushing the boundaries of what travel gear can be. This launch represents the best of Samsonite: pioneering design, sustainable innovation, and a deep understanding of how people move through the world. We’re proud to deliver a system that not only meets today’s travel demands but also honors our responsibility to the planet we all share.” said Kyle Gendreau, CEO of Samsonite Group.

Building on Samsonite’s legacy of durability and innovation, Paralux products undergo rigorous testing to ensure they meet the highest standards– so they’re built to last. The Paralux collection is crafted with more sustainable materials and designed to reduce the impact on the planet we all like to explore. The exterior shells are made with at least 50% post-consumer recycled polypropylene, trolley tubes with 100% recycled aluminum, and all fabrics, zipper tape, and linings across the collection feature 100% recycled PET plastic by weight. To further extend the product life, the wheels and pull-handle are designed for easy repairability by the user. These design innovations allow users to easily remove and replace the wheels themselves, instead of sending the product into a repair center. The features and construction of the collection resulted in the Paralux collection being bestowed the honor of two Red Dot awards, Sustainability Design and overall Design. The Red Dot is the distinction for high design and quality. Only products that demonstrate outstanding design are awarded the coveted seal of quality by the international jury. The Red Dot “Sustainability Design” award is for products being durable, adaptable, produced in a material- and energy-efficient manner, or made from renewable and recyclable resources.

At the heart of the Paralux collection is the Samsonite groundbreaking dual-access design, allowing travelers to open their suitcase from the traditional center split or via a sleek front door giving access to the entire interior, ideal when space is tight or time is short. Included removable packing cubes offering modularity for a more customized packing experience, while TSA-approved locks, double suspension wheels, and right-height adjustable handles ensure security and ease.

Whether navigating your daily commute with the Everyday Backpack, embarking on a weekend escape with the Duffel, or traveling internationally with the Hardside Large Spinner, the Paralux collection is designed to adapt to every journey. Thoughtfully engineered with modular compartments, discreet storage, and innovative features—such as the 2-in-1 Backpack that separates into a main travel bag and a compact Go Bag, the Paralux collection offers unparalleled versatility.

From impromptu getaways to business trips, the Paralux collection transcends traditional luggage, serving as a smart, stylish travel system built for modern mobility. Every piece is designed to work together—backpacks and duffels stack seamlessly on spinners for effortless travel, while modular compartments and coordinated dimensions offer a streamlined packing experience from door to destination. The collection features a full range of styles including Large, Medium, Global, and Domestic Carry-Ons, as well as travel backpacks and duffels, all available in a refined palette of Black, Stone Grey, Olive, and Midnight Navy. Prices range from $170 to $390 and are now available at www.samsonite.com and select retailers globally. The campaign will be launched worldwide with activation across out-of-home, paid social, influencers, owned retail, eCommerce, and wholesale. It’s not just a bag, it’s a Samsonite.



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