India’s Paytm mulling takeover of travel firm Via
Payment processor and e-commerce platform Paytm is reportedly in advanced talks to buy online travel firm Via.com.
Media reports suggest Paytm will pay $80 million for the Bengaluru- based company.
Via.com aggregates travel deals and ticket booking including bus services.
Paytm has gained huge funds from firstly Alibaba and more recently SoftBank and has been raising its profile in the travel industry with strategic partnerships and investments.
It recently signed an agreement with Booking.com to list and handle hotel bookings through its own platform.
According to one unnamed source, Via.com wasn’t the only travel company on the Paytm radar.
The Times of India reported it held talks with online platform Cleartrip, but this ultimately went nowhere.
"Paytm has been talking to multiple players but the discussion with Via.com is in an advanced stage. Unlike others, Via has a strong business which comes from offline users especially in non-metro cities which Paytm is keen to tap," an unnamed source said.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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