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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Plates that Speak Stories: Chef Altamsh’s Culinary Vision

Chef Altamsh Patel

Published on October 1, 2025

In an exclusive feature with October edition of Hospitalitynews magazine, Chef Altamsh Patel, Director of Culinary at Hilton Mumbai International Airport, shared insights that reveal not only his passion for gastronomy but also the philosophy that drives his success. His journey is a testament to how unexpected paths often lead to extraordinary destinations.

When asked about his defining moment, Chef Altamsh reflected on his early life where his parents wished for him to become a doctor. Yet, destiny had other plans. Drawn into hotel management and eventually the kitchen of the Taj, he discovered a true sense of belonging. “What began as honoring my parents soon grew into a lifelong love, reminding me that sometimes the unplanned path becomes the one we cherish most,” he shared.

Speaking about innovation and tradition, he noted, “At Hilton Mumbai International Airport, balancing innovation with tradition means sharing a part of our heart with every guest.” To him, food is storytelling, an art that surprises guests while honoring culture.

Chef Altamsh also underlined how food creates cherished memories. Whether in restaurants, banquets, or in-room dining, he and his team strive to ensure every plate carries love, passion, and culture, making each meal unforgettable.

On sustainability, his commitment is firm. From locally sourced ingredients to Hilton’s Travel with Purpose mission, practices like waste-to-fertilizer initiatives, cage-free eggs, and glass bottles redefine responsible luxury dining.

As a mentor, Chef Altamsh believes in nurturing creativity, humility, and resilience among young chefs, ensuring excellence remains a collective effort. Looking ahead, he expressed excitement about India’s micro-cuisines and Peruvian influences, combining authenticity with multi-sensory experiences to shape the future of luxury dining.

It was truly an inspiring and enriching conversation with Chef Altamsh Patel. For the complete feature, explore the Hospitalitynews October Magazine, available on our website (E-Magazine) and as a physical copy.

Redefining Hospitality Education: An Exclusive Conversation with Dr. Suborno Bose

Dr Suborno Bose

Published on October 1, 2025

In a world where hospitality is constantly reshaped by technology and global collaboration, few voices carry as much authority and vision as Dr. Suborno Bose, the Founder-Chairman and Chief Mentor of the International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM) and Indismart Group Worldwide. Over the last 25 years, he has established Asia’s largest chain of premier hotel schools with campuses across the globe, while spearheading innovations that redefine the very essence of hospitality education.

In an exclusive feature for Hospitality News, Dr. Bose takes us through a riveting journey of ideas and insights. He reveals how AI-powered platforms like NamAIste – IIHM HospitalityGPT, the world’s first AI model for the service sector, are reshaping the way students learn, blending technology with empathy to create leaders who are both digitally fluent and emotionally intelligent.

Adding to this, he speaks passionately about the Global Knowledge Sharing Declaration on AI in Hospitality, which began with 50 countries and now includes over 60 nations. This initiative, driven by IIHM, has created a collaborative framework for integrating AI literacy, ethical practices, and equal access to education worldwide.

As the conversation deepens, Dr. Bose introduces us to his philosophy of “High Tech, Higher Touch,” a principle that balances cutting-edge digital tools with the timeless warmth of human connection. He emphasizes that while AI can anticipate preferences and streamline service, true hospitality lies in the smiles, gestures, and conversations that make every experience memorable.

From the International Young Chef Olympiad (YCO) to initiatives like the Food Soldier programme, Dr. Bose continues to nurture global talent while embedding sustainability, cultural respect, and innovation at the core of hospitality. His long-term vision is clear: to position India as a hub for compassionate, intelligent, and inclusive hospitality leadership.

This inspiring exchange with Dr. Bose is more than an interview, it is a window into the future of hospitality, where technology and empathy walk hand in hand.

For the complete interview and exclusive insights, dive into the Hospitalitynews Magazine October Edition- available now on our website and in print. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this transformative dialogue shaping the future of hospitality.

Vivek Shukla Redefines Loyalty Through Purpose-Driven Hospitality

Vivek Shukla

Published on September 1, 2025

In today’s world of hospitality, where loyalty programs are often defined by free nights, discounts, and upgrades, The LaLiT Suri Hospitality Group has chosen a different path, one that blends guest rewards with social good. In an exclusive conversation with Hospitalitynews, Vivek Shukla, CEO of the Group, offered rare insights into how luxury and purpose can converge to create a new standard for the industry.

With more than 35 years in luxury hospitality and two decades shaping The LaLiT’s vision, Shukla is widely known for his people-first approach and strategic foresight. His leadership during the pandemic, marked by initiatives that supported frontline workers and vulnerable communities, underscored his conviction that hospitality is about much more than service, it is about responsibility.

This ethos is at the heart of the Group’s new loyalty program. Unlike traditional models, this initiative empowers guests to transform everyday indulgences into acts of giving. Partnering with Points for Good, The LaLiT allows loyalty members to channel their points towards diverse causes ranging from child education and sustainability to LGBTQIA+ empowerment. Shukla describes it as a shift “from transactional exchanges to purposeful, meaningful connections”.

The innovation lies in embedding impact seamlessly into daily guest interactions. Shukla believes that over time, members will begin to associate loyalty not only with luxury but also with generosity and social change. “When routine stays or meals become part of something greater, it fosters a culture of care and giving back”, he says.

Perhaps most compelling is the vision behind it: small contributions from thousands of guests, collectively sparking a wave of impact across India. By aligning hospitality with social responsibility, The LaLiT is rewriting the future of loyalty, one that is not just about repeat business but about emotional connection and shared purpose.

Our conversation with Vivek Shukla was both inspiring and thought-provoking, challenging the industry to see loyalty in a whole new light. For the complete interview and exclusive insights, dive into the Hospitalitynews Magazine September Edition- available now on our website and in print. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this transformative dialogue shaping the future of hospitality.