Ask Clarifying Questions‍

Before starting with the design, we need to understand the context better, so here are a few clarifying questions:

• Who is the primary target audience for this app? Are we targeting all age groups or a specific age group?
• Are we only considering packaged tours or also individual bookings like flights, hotels, etc.?
• What current solutions are people using and what are the main problems they are facing with these solutions?
• Are we looking to provide a full range of travel services, including visa assistance, currency exchange, etc.?
• How do we define "simplification" in this context? Does it mean fewer steps, more transparency, better guidance, or something else?

Identify User Persona‍

Let's consider multiple user personas:

• Middle-aged couples seeking a hassle-free vacation
• Solo travelers looking for a budget-friendly adventure
• Family travelers who need a travel package catering to various age groups
• Retirees wanting to explore the country leisurely
• Corporate travelers who need quick and efficient travel solutions
• Millennial travelers seeking offbeat experiences

For the purpose of this exercise, let's prioritize the "Millennial travelers seeking offbeat experiences" persona, as millennials are often tech-savvy and might be more open to trying a new app, providing a good starting point for the app.

List the Pain Points‍

Millennial travelers seeking offbeat experiences might face these pain points:

• Finding unique and lesser-known destinations can be challenging.
• Tailoring packages to their specific needs and preferences might not always be possible with pre-set packages.
• Limited transparency in pricing and itinerary details.
• Difficulty in finding reliable reviews and local experiences.
• Needing to use multiple platforms for bookings, reviews, and itinerary planning.

Suggest Solutions for the Pain Points

• An "Explore" feature showcasing lesser-known destinations with images and short descriptions.
• A "Customize Package" feature that allows users to pick and choose elements to create a travel package tailored to their preferences.
• Transparent pricing with a detailed breakdown of costs and the option to opt-out of certain elements to reduce the overall package cost.
• Integrating user-generated reviews and ratings for destinations, accommodations, local tours, and experiences.
• A unified platform to plan, book, and review trips, reducing the need to switch between different platforms.

Prioritization of the Solutions^‍

While all solutions are important, let's prioritize them based on potential impact and feasibility:

• A "Customize Package" feature - this is highly impactful and somewhat feasible.
• A unified platform to plan, book, and review trips - highly impactful and feasible.
• Transparent pricing - very impactful but less feasible due to potential pushback from vendors.
• An "Explore" feature - moderately impactful and highly feasible.
• Integrating user-generated reviews - moderately impactful and feasible.

Metrics‍

To measure the success of the application, we could use:

• Number of downloads and active users.
• User engagement levels (time spent on the app, click-through rates).
• Number of trips planned/booked through the app.
• User satisfaction (Net Promoter Score, user ratings, and reviews).
• Conversion rate from trip planning to actual booking.
• Revenue generated through the platform.

Summary‍

We're planning to design a mobile app for domestic travel booking in India. We'll focus on millennial travelers who are seeking offbeat experiences. Their key pain points are finding unique destinations, customizing packages, price transparency, the need for reliable reviews, and having to use multiple platforms for different aspects of their travel planning. Our solution will address these by providing a "Customize Package" feature, a unified platform for all travel needs, transparent pricing, and integrating user reviews. The primary metrics to measure success will be user engagement, conversions, and revenue. The app aims to simplify the travel booking experience by making it more personalized, transparent, and user-friendly.