Finding your tribe in the travel industry can be the key to unlocking success, but it’s a journey that’s anything but straightforward. Take it from Formula 1 Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, who, when bidding farewell to seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, shared this wisdom: ‘Find your people. When you find your people, you don’t just beat the world – you change it.’ These words resonate deeply with travel founders like Aloke Bajpai of ixigo, Varun Khona of HeadOut, and Tushar Kandewal of TourHero, each of whom has carved a unique path to success in an industry as diverse as the destinations it serves.
But here’s where it gets controversial: What does it truly mean to ‘find your people’ in a sector as fragmented and dynamic as travel? Is it about understanding your market better than anyone else, or is it about creating something so novel that it redefines the market itself? Let’s dive into their stories to uncover the answers.
India’s 20-Year Overnight Success Story
Aloke Bajpai, Chairman, MD, and Group CEO of ixigo, knows a thing or two about patience. When ixigo achieved a wildly successful IPO in India in 2024, it was hailed as a ‘20-year overnight success.’ And this is the part most people miss: India’s travel market is unlike any other, with only 4% of its population flying compared to 37% in China and 80% in the U.S. Bajpai’s strategy? Focus on trains and buses, the lifelines of Indian travel.
‘We started in 2006, and I consider myself a survivor,’ Bajpai reflects. ‘For the first 10 years, we didn’t sell a single ticket. We built utility apps to solve problems for train travelers.’ Their persistence paid off when they added algorithms predicting train arrivals and coach availability, leveraging crowdsourced data. Here’s the bold part: Today, ixigo sees itself not as a travel company but as a data science and AI powerhouse, selling ‘peace of mind’ backed by millions of data points from Indian travelers.
Controversial question: Is the travel industry underestimating the power of AI and data in shaping the future of travel? Bajpai certainly doesn’t think so, as he highlights India’s emergence as the most AI-intensive country, with 90% of its workforce already using AI for efficiency.
Cracking Broadway and Dancing with Dex
Varun Khona, CEO and co-founder of HeadOut, has a different take on finding your people. His platform connects travelers to unique, real-life experiences, from Broadway shows to expert-led tours. But here’s the twist: HeadOut’s success wasn’t just about identifying traveler needs—it was about convincing theaters to let them sell tickets, a process Khona describes as anything but easy.
‘If you’re creating something of true value, then easy is the last word you’ll find,’ Khona advises. His focus on authenticity and impact has grown HeadOut to serve 40 million guests across 100 cities, generating over $3 billion in economic impact. And this is where it gets exciting: HeadOut’s Dex, an AI-powered platform, aims to augment physical spaces with interactive stories, soundtracks, and games, turning travel into a multi-modal, immersive experience.
Thought-provoking question: As AI becomes more integrated into travel, will the line between physical and digital experiences blur completely? Khona believes the future is just two years away, and he’s not alone in this vision.
Overcoming Loneliness by Finding Your Hero
Tushar Kandewal, co-founder of TourHero, takes a more philosophical approach. ‘We live in the loneliest generation in history,’ he observes. Here’s the bold claim: The antidote to loneliness isn’t another app—it’s real-world connections. TourHero’s mission is to turn communities into travel experiences led by ‘human magnets,’ passionate individuals who draw people together.
‘Imagine turning a fantasy book club into a three-day adventure instead of months of coffee catchups,’ Kandewal suggests. Controversial interpretation: In a world obsessed with digital connections, is the travel industry overlooking the power of human-led experiences? TourHero’s platform, powered by AI, matches travelers with trips instantly, but the magic lies in the human magnets who lead these experiences.
Final question for you: As these founders continue to redefine travel, what do you think is the next big innovation that will bring people together? Will it be AI, community-driven experiences, or something else entirely? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a conversation!
