Meet the Man Behind India's Largest Backpacker Hostel Chain

Meet the Man Behind India's Largest Backpacker Hostel Chain - Pranav Dangi, CEO & Founder, The Hosteller

Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on August 2, 2024

In this exclusive interview, HospitalityNews had a conversation with Pranav Dangi, CEO & Founder, The Hosteller where he shares his insights on the brand’s expansion, key strategies, Glu, and more.

The Hosteller isn't just a place to stay, it’s a springboard for epic adventures and unforgettable memories. They’re India’s largest backpacker hostel chain, founded in 2014 with a simple mission: create amazing, affordable, and accessible hostels for young travelers (and the young at heart!).

No matter which Hosteller you choose, you’ll find consistent quality and top-notch hospitality. From comfy beds and clean spaces to secure lockers, and, of course, free Wi-Fi to stay connected. Need to mix business with pleasure? The Hosteller caters to digital nomads with work-friendly spaces perfect for getting things done.

What inspired you to expand The Hosteller into Gujarat, Maharashtra, and South India in 2024?

Our expansion into Gujarat, Maharashtra, and South India is driven by the unique cultural richness and diverse landscapes of these regions. Gujarat’s heritage, Maharashtra’s vibrant cities and scenic coasts, and South India's tranquil backwaters and historic temples make them ideal for immersive travel experiences.

The growing demand for affordable, quality accommodation and our commitment to the community further motivate this move. We aim to offer unique, culturally immersive stays that resonate with modern travelers, enhancing their journey with unforgettable experiences.

Can you tell us about BAM Hotels and what makes them different from traditional luxury hotels?

BAM Hotels is an innovative venture by The Hosteller, designed to expand our hospitality offerings to a broader audience. We are set to launch 12 properties in 2024, BAM Hotels will be India’s first fully smart, digital, contactless, and tech-based hotels. BAM hotels will cater to travelers aged 30 and above, providing a sophisticated and comfortable stay while retaining the community-centric ethos of The Hosteller.

What sets Bam Hotels apart from traditional luxury hotels are several key elements:

Tech-First Innovations: Bam Hotels feature zero touchpoint check-in/out and digital room controls, ensuring a seamless and contactless experience for guests.

Minimalistic Luxury: The design ethos blends luxury with simplicity, offering a refined and elegant environment that appeals to the sophisticated tastes of modern travelers.

Futuristic Approach: Bam Hotels adopt a forward-thinking mindset, continuously innovating to disrupt traditional hospitality norms. This includes smart technology integration and a focus on providing a seamless digital experience.

Community Living: Bam Hotels emphasize community living, encouraging guest interactions and connections. This community focus enhances the social atmosphere and provides a vibrant, engaging experience for guests.

Customized Experiences: Bam Hotels target tech-savvy professionals, family vacationers, luxury seekers, digital nomads, and experience enthusiasts, ensuring that each demographic’s specific needs and preferences are met.

How does The Hosteller’s motto “Travel smart, live smarter” reflect in your hostels and services?

The Hosteller’s motto, “Travel Smart, Live Smarter,” is embodied through our innovative technological initiatives. From smart rooms powered by Alexa to our comprehensive Glu app, we enhance guest freedom and convenience.

Our mobile-responsive design ensures a seamless interface across devices, and we've introduced a contactless check-in/out process. The Glu app allows guests to manage their stay digitally—order food, book activities, check events, and raise housekeeping requests, all at the click of a button. Our focus on community-building activities and personalized experiences aligns with our mission to revolutionize travel, making it smarter and more connected. These initiatives demonstrate our commitment to exceeding the expectations of modern travelers.

How do you ensure all your hostels provide a consistent and high-quality experience for travelers?

We ensure a consistent and high-quality experience through several key strategies:

Guest Feedback: Our proprietary Online Reputation Management (ORM) tool enables our Customer Experience team to quickly assess and address guest feedback, ensuring continuous improvement and maintaining high ratings.

Technological Integration: Smart technology initiatives like Alexa-powered rooms and the Glu app enhance convenience and overall guest experience.

Community Focus: We emphasize community-building activities and personalized experiences, ensuring guests enjoy their stay and create memorable connections.

Standardized Procedures: Rigorous SOPs for cleanliness, safety, and service ensure all hostels meet our high standards.

Staff Training: Continuous training programs for our staff ensure exceptional service and hospitality.

Quality Audits: Regular quality audits and inspections maintain our standards across all locations.

Safety & Security for Guests: Enabling all the hostels with centralized CCTV monitoring system. Liaising with local authorities, onboarding emergency contacts such as doctor on call, fire/ambulance, etc. Mandatorily employing min. 1 female employee at each property

By implementing these strategies, we ensure every guest enjoys a consistent, high-quality experience at all our hostels.

How does The Hosteller’s proprietary tech platform facilitate community-driven experiences and foster connections among travelers, and what impact has this had on guest satisfaction?

The Hosteller’s proprietary tech platform, Glu, is a comprehensive web-based concierge service that revolutionizes how travelers experience their stay. Glu offers features like contactless check-in, instant in-stay feedback, and a variety of request options (housekeeping, maintenance, bookings). It also provides seamless access to services such as add-ons, rentals, transfers, events, activities, and food orders.

Glu enhances community-driven experiences by enabling guests to explore and join events and activities, fostering connections with fellow travelers. This platform ensures guests have all the necessary information and services at their fingertips, promoting a hassle-free and personalized stay.

Our focus on creating engaging and interactive experiences has significantly boosted guest satisfaction. By leveraging technology to provide convenience, customization, and community, we have maintained high ratings and increased trust among our guests, reflected in positive feedback and repeat visits.

What are your plans for The Hosteller and Bam Hotels, especially regarding global expansion?

We plan to operate 100 properties by Mar 2025 under The Hosteller brand and approximately 8-10 properties under the Bam hotel brand by the same period. The Hosteller aims to go international and expand into neighboring countries from the 2nd half of 2025. We plan to have a presence in Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand & Vietnam to start with internationally.

How has raised over $1 million in funding helped The Hosteller grow, and what are your future funding plans?

With the USD 1 million raised, the company grew from 22 properties to 48 properties in a span of 18 months. This funding not only helped us expand geographically but also helped the company build a solid foundation for future expansion with fresh fund infusion planned in another 1 quarter. At this moment, the company is in talks with multiple VCs and private equity firms to raise its Series A round.

What leadership initiatives have you used to build a young, dynamic team at The Hosteller?

We work in a very interesting industry, i.e., the travel & hospitality industry however in a fast paced environment like any other startup. To keep a young & dynamic team motivated and hungry for growth, we, as a company, work on multiple initiatives such as expectation setting, defining crisp and clear KRAs for each individual, knowledge transfer & training sessions, product development in various teams for faster and methodological work environment, empowering the culture of free communication & idea sharing and finally recognizing the contributions on an individual level and rewarding such contributions.

Can you share a memorable story from your travels that influenced The Hosteller’s philosophy?

One memory that I remember from one of the many travels is from Geneva, Switzerland. I was backpacking in Europe and hadn't booked a hostel for my stay there. It was late at night (post 10 pm) and the hotels were very expensive to stay in.

Being a backpacker, I had to improvise and find a place to stay somewhere. Luckily, I found a couple online who were about to launch their new brand of hostels in the city and had posted for a requirement of a volunteer to help them with certain initiatives. I found them online, dropped them an email the same day and they replied. In a 30 minute quick conversation on email, they hired me for a week of volunteering and even came to pick me up from where I was at 2 am midnight. This was one of the touch and go stories of my travels.

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Decoding Wine with Matthieu Longuère: Education, Trends, and India’s Market

Matthieu Longuère

Published on April 1, 2025

Matthieu Longuère, Master Sommelier and Wine Development Manager at Le Cordon Bleu London, is a leading expert in the world of wine, shaping the future of sommeliers through education. With over two decades of experience, Matthieu has contributed significantly to the global wine industry. During his recent visit to India, he shared insights on the country’s rapidly growing wine culture, global trends, and the challenges the industry faces in the modern era.

Longuère’s journey to becoming a Master Sommelier is one of determination and passion, marked by a life-changing mentorship under Gérard Basset. His experiences across various wine-producing regions, and his focus on education, have shaped his approach to wine—an approach grounded in curiosity and open-mindedness.

Reflecting on India’s wine market, Matthieu notes the country’s preference for fuller and sweeter wines, which is becoming less popular in global markets. However, he remains optimistic about the future, highlighting the importance of wine education. As more people become curious about wine, India’s potential to produce internationally recognized wines could be realized. His visit is a milestone for Le Cordon Bleu, which celebrates 130 years of wine and culinary excellence. Matthieu sees great potential in nurturing Indian sommeliers, emphasizing that education is the key to shaping the next generation of wine experts.

Matthieu’s expertise extends beyond just wine education. He also offers advice for young hospitality students, stressing the importance of hands-on experience, structured learning, and building credibility in the industry. His insights into wine pairing are equally fascinating, with a focus on balancing elements like spice and acidity for unexpected yet delightful combinations.

For those interested in exploring wine in greater depth, Matthieu's insights offer a glimpse into the evolving world of wine. As the wine industry faces challenges like climate change, his advice on adapting to these changes while maintaining quality is invaluable.

To read Matthieu Longuère’s full interview and explore his expert views on wine education and India’s wine future, visit our website to access the latest eMagazine. For a physical copy, DM us now!

The Future of Hospitality Marketing: Neha Chowdhury’s Bold Vision for Personalization

Neha Chowdhury

Published on April 1, 2025

Neha Chowdhury, the Director of Sales and Marketing at Courtyard by Marriott Mumbai International Airport, has spent nearly two decades in luxury hospitality, transforming marketing strategies across some of the world’s top hotel brands. In a recent conversation, she shared her vision for the future of hospitality marketing, focusing on personalization and storytelling to forge deeper connections with guests.

Neha believes that marketing in hospitality is more than just numbers—it’s about crafting a compelling narrative that resonates with people. At Courtyard by Marriott, their story revolves around being a ‘gateway to seamless journeys,’ emphasizing not just a strategic location, but a commitment to warm, efficient, and personalized service. By combining digital tools with authentic guest experiences and cultural collaborations, Neha aims to create a truly memorable stay for every guest.

Her leadership philosophy is built on empathy and adaptability, qualities that she believes are essential in an ever-changing industry. For Neha, empowering her team to anticipate and respond to guest needs is key to driving success, both in the guest experience and in market positioning.

As a strong advocate for women in leadership, Neha also advises young women looking to succeed in hospitality to be bold, resilient, and authentic. She stresses the importance of continuous learning, networking, and staying true to one's unique perspective.

Neha’s innovative ideas, such as integrating AI-driven personalization with traditional hospitality values, showcase her forward-thinking approach to marketing. In the ever-evolving Mumbai hospitality scene, she is committed to ensuring that Courtyard by Marriott remains a preferred choice for business and leisure travelers alike.

To dive deeper into Neha Chowdhury’s full interview and discover more about the future of hospitality marketing, visit our website to read the latest april e-Magazine. Interested in a physical copy? DM us for more details!

Manish Garg on Why True Hospitality is About Heartfelt Service, Not Just Luxury

Manish Garg

Published on April 1, 2025

Manish Garg, General Manager of Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn Bengaluru Embassy Manyata Business Park, is a dynamic leader in hospitality, dedicated to crafting exceptional experiences. His career began in food and beverage operations before stepping into leadership roles with prestigious global hotel brands. With a background in both India and the UK, Manish has become known for shaping luxury hospitality and leading successful pre-opening projects. An alumnus of the Institute of Hotel Management in Chennai and the Australian International Hotel School, his foundation in hotel management is complemented by a passion for operational excellence and team leadership.

In this insightful conversation, Manish shares how Hilton is embracing innovation, enhancing guest expectations, and setting itself apart in Bengaluru's vibrant hospitality scene.

Innovation in Service

Manish emphasizes that true hospitality is about creating memorable experiences. A perfect example came during a recent wedding hosted at Hilton Bengaluru, where the event team created a "Wanderlust" theme, incorporating flavors from Italy, Morocco, and India to celebrate the couple’s love for travel. This personalized touch was complemented by a walk-through gallery of their travel memories, elevating the event into a deeply personal experience.

Hilton also hosted an unforgettable event for Tata Consumer Products, where chefs curated an innovative culinary journey that seamlessly integrated the brand into the menu. This interactive experience showcased how creativity and collaboration can redefine event hospitality.

Catering to Diverse Guests

Bengaluru’s dynamic nature requires constant evolution, and Hilton meets this challenge head-on. With a dual-brand setup—Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn—guests enjoy both luxury and practicality, whether they’re corporate travelers or on leisure getaways. Strategically located near business districts, the properties offer an ideal blend of convenience, with state-of-the-art event spaces and personalized service tailored to every guest’s needs.

Redefining Luxury

For Manish, luxury today goes beyond opulence—it’s about personalization and seamless comfort. Digital Key access, voice-command smart rooms, and AI-driven chatbots ensure a tech-savvy, personalized experience for every guest. At Hilton, innovation extends to sustainability efforts, such as the LightStay program, which helps guests make environmentally conscious choices during events.

A Culture of Service Excellence

Hilton’s success can be attributed to its people. Manish focuses on creating an inclusive culture where recognition and continuous learning are prioritized. Initiatives like ‘Shakti at Hilton’ and leadership mentoring programs empower team members to go above and beyond for guests, ensuring every interaction is exceptional.

Standing Out in Bengaluru

In a competitive market like Bengaluru, Hilton differentiates itself by offering personalized service that goes beyond standard hospitality. From tailored dining experiences to wellness offerings, Hilton creates memorable stays, making every guest feel valued and at home.

Sustainability and Luxury

Hilton’s commitment to sustainability is evident through initiatives like a zero single-use plastic policy, operating on renewable energy, and the innovative in-house water bottling plant. These eco-conscious efforts demonstrate that luxury and sustainability can coexist harmoniously.

The Hilton Experience in Three Words

For Manish, the Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn Bengaluru experience can be summed up as: Forward-Thinking, Personalized, and Unforgettable. These values guide every decision, ensuring that every guest enjoys a seamless, bespoke, and memorable stay.

To dive deeper into the world of Hilton and Manish Garg’s leadership, visit our website to read the full April eMagazine. You can also DM us to receive a physical copy and experience firsthand the exceptional service Hilton offers.