Redefining India’s backpacking scene

In recent years, India has witnessed a steep rise in experiential travel with backpackers across the nation exploring new avenues for travel and tourism. Ranging from solo travel for experiencing cultures, culinary and adventure to travelling with a group for creating memories, travel has evolved post-pandemic. With a presence in over 55 Indian destinations, The Hosteller is catering to this community of travellers throughout the nation and is redefining the landscape of affordable and experiential travel.

Pranav Dangi, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, The Hosteller, unveils on how the brand operates chain hostels host the new generation of travellers, he states, “Our approach is deeply rooted in understanding traveller preferences while staying true to our values of affordability, community and immersive local experiences.”

Market analysis
In a competitive market such as India, where travellers look for affordability along with hospitality can prove tricky to navigate. Shedding light on how the brand through market analysis navigates through the competitive industry, he states, “We analyse our competition through guest feedback, occupancy rates, online reputation and market share. We focus on delivering unique, culturally rich experiences that differentiate us from competitors. Our strategic expansion into regional markets, coupled with community engagement and local collaborations, strengthens our brand’s presence and appeal. We benchmark our performance against both direct competitors and global standards, ensuring we remain innovative and relevant.”

According to Dangi, by continuously adapting to market trends and guest preferences, The Hosteller stays ahead in the competitive landscape, providing value and memorable experiences to travellers.

Growth and expansion strategy
Catering to the community of young at heart travellers, The Hosteller also follows the ideology of exploration and venturing into new territories. Emphasising on the growth strategy of the brand operated hostel chain, Dangi states, “Our growth strategy is a blend of expansion and enhancement. We’re targetting 100 properties under The Hosteller and 8-10 properties under the Bam Hotel by March 2025. Our focus is on exploring untapped destinations that align with our ethos of providing authentic backpacking experiences. Simultaneously, we invest in upgrading existing properties to maintain consistent quality. Looking ahead, we plan to expand internationally, with initial ventures into Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam starting in the second half of 2025.”

Sustainability initiatives 
“We are committed to taking steps toward sustainability and responsible tourism. We serve 100 per cent vegetarian food at all our hostel cafes, significantly reducing our carbon footprint and supporting a more sustainable food system,” he states on sustainable practices followed at their hostels.

He further adds, “We are dedicated to promoting practices that benefit both the environment and local communities. We are also planning to partner with small businesses that are sustainable and eco-friendly, further reinforcing our commitment to sustainability. Additionally, we are in the process of implementing waste reduction and segregation practices, ensuring that waste is either recycled or composted, aligning with our long-term goal of minimising our environmental impact.”

Recruitment process and work environment
Being an operations heavy hospitality company, The Hosteller requires skilled people from hospitality background. Dangi, on the employment process, notes, “We recruit people in blue collar roles and work with agencies, direct hiring portals, references and freelancer recruiters. Once our ground staff is hired, they undergo a rigorous 14-day training programme along with a 14-day hands-on training as well. This training involves sessions on brand introduction, concept of backpacker hostels, front office management, etc. Continuous training of HR is imperative in our company and happens from the learning and development team. For retention, there are regular assessment and engagement sessions.”

He also indicates about the incentives for employees, stating, “There are multiple performance driven incentives, timely bonuses, appraisals, etc. Additionally, the process of ‘assigning a buddy’ in the probation period of any staff helps them navigate the initial challenges and helps them settle in the culture quickly.”