EaseMyTrip venture into study tourism with acquisition of Sydney-based Planet Education

Homegrown traveltech firm EaseMyTrip has entered the burgeoning study tourism sector with a 49% equity acquisition of Planet Education Australia Pty Ltd, a global education service provider headquartered in Sydney.

The strategic investment, valued at Rs 39.20 crore, aligns with EaseMyTrip's vision to diversify its services and strengthen its foothold in international tourism.

What does Planet Education do?

Founded in 1999, Planet Education has helped over 45,000 students secure international education opportunities through services like expert counselling, university placements, and visa assistance.

With partnerships spanning over 350 universities in Australia, the U.S., the U.K., Canada, and other nations, the company operates from 25 offices worldwide.

Leveraging Planet Education’s network

EaseMyTrip aims to leverage Planet Education’s established network and expertise to provide integrated travel and education solutions, catering to the growing number of Indian students pursuing studies abroad.

CEO Nishant Pitti emphasized the significance of this move, stating, “This acquisition enables us to simplify visa processes and documentation for students, offering a seamless experience that combines education and travel services.”

Strategic synergy and expanded offerings  

The collaboration is mutually beneficial. Planet Education gains access to EaseMyTrip's extensive customer base, B2B agents’ network, and technological capabilities.

Promoter Sanket Shah of Planet Education highlighted the synergy, noting, “EaseMyTrip’s online reach complements our physical network, setting the stage for accelerated growth and enriched services.”

EaseMyTrip also plans to utilize Planet Education’s operational presence and success rates in securing student visas to enhance its offerings.

The acquisition aligns with the company's strategy to expand into lucrative niches like medical tourism and luxury hospitality, including its recent investments in healthcare and five-star hotel development projects.

Financial performance and future outlook

Despite challenges in its traditional online flight booking segment, EaseMyTrip continues to innovate and diversify its revenue streams.

The company reported a modest 2.1% increase in operational revenue to Rs 144.6 crore for Q2 FY25, though its consolidated profit after tax fell by 42.8% year-on-year.