Taking the Kesari legacy forward with Innovation

Shreya Shimpi

Looking back on your journey so far, what inspired you to enter the travel industry, and how has it shaped you as a professional?

My father started this company 40 years ago. I was a kid, and I used to go for fun and to help my parents, which is when I realised how amazing it is to visit different places and meet different people. I enjoyed that and realized that this would be my career path. I wasn’t too keen on studying much, but going out was always on my mind. I started conducting tours and taking responsibility at the age of 16, and here I am now.

Reflecting on 2024, what would you say were the three highlights of the year for you—personally or professionally?

The first thing we accomplished was creating our Corporate Office in 2024, which is a major milestone. Secondly, after 2022, we all faced a lot of challenges with visas, but we successfully navigated 2023-24, and the business has grown. Though we haven’t yet reached our target numbers, we have surpassed our revenue goals, and we’re happy about that. We’ve exceeded the 2019 revenue figures, which is a great achievement. On a personal front, I have been selected as the new OTOAI President, which now brings additional responsibility.

What is your long-term vision for Kesari Tours? Could you share a major initiative or change you’ve been proud to lead?

We already have a presence in almost all major cities in India as a brand, but we still need to expand to many more cities. In the next one or two years, we will be a pan-India company. I aim to take our company to a global level by opening international offices and operations, and we are actively working toward that.

I believe in systems, and I personally feel that systems should work efficiently. In the travel industry, the attrition rate is very high, with people often moving for small pay hikes. Since it’s a knowledge-based industry, recruiting and training new staff is a lengthy process, so we focus on systems. We have our own software systems.

What has been your proudest achievement to date, and what keeps you motivated to push boundaries in this industry?

This industry has given me everything I have today, and I am very happy about that. My father started this company, and we are following in his footsteps and teachings, which is why we are successful. I feel proud to be part of this industry. It’s the only industry where you get to visit different countries, and for me, the whole world is my destination. So far, I’ve travelled to more than 120 countries, and my dream is to visit all the countries before I die.

If you could pick one dream destination to visit in 2025, where would it be, and why does it captivate you?

I love Europe. I’m a hardcore self-drive person and enjoy that experience. In addition, there are many countries I wish to explore in Africa and Central America. In 2025, I’d like to visit Tunisia, Malta, and Mongolia. Mongolia, in particular, fascinates me. My goal is to visit 10-15 new countries this year.

What advice would you give to young professionals in the travel trade who aspire to reach the heights of success you’ve achieved?

You have to be passionate about this field if you want to run a business or build a career from it. If you’re not passionate or a foodie, it will feel like a typical 9-5 job. Follow your passion. As a young individual, you need to be inquisitive, because travel is all about that. Travel has completely changed my life. It has given me a lot of exposure as I’ve travelled around the globe, and I still feel that same inquisitiveness in me.

You also have to stick to quality service because, as travel agents, we sell hopes. Once the money is paid, the customer only travels a month later without having received a tangible product. When you’re selling hopes, you need to be careful and deliver quality service.

The travel industry has its challenges. What do you find to be the biggest obstacles, and if given the chance, what one change would you make to improve the industry?

It’s a completely dependent business. We don’t run airlines or hotels; we’re just mediators. If airlines shut down, the responsibility falls on us. There are many challenges because everything is beyond our control, and we’re answerable for any issues despite having no control over third parties. Also, the passport ranking of India needs to be stronger.

Could you tell us a bit about your family and share one cherished childhood memory that still makes you smile?

I have three siblings, and my father started this business in 1984. My first air travel experience was from Srinagar to Jammu, which I still remember. I used to go on vacations to Kashmir and stay there for nearly two months. Kashmir is a beautiful place and is close to my heart. Most of my school vacations were spent there.

What is your vision for the travel and tourism industry in 2025, and how do you see your role contributing to its growth and transformation?

The biggest challenge in the travel industry, especially on the outbound side, is that we are not united. We don’t have a recognized voice in Parliament or the Government. We’ve been urging the government for many years to introduce recognition or licensing for travel agencies. There are cases where people collect money, close their businesses, and such ‘fly-by-night’ agents vanish. There is no consumer protection. The government needs to come up with a licensing proposal.

QUICK SHOTS

* Your Birthday / Sun Sign – June 18, Gemini

* Mountains or Beaches – Both, but I still love the mountains.

* Favourite Holiday Destination – Innsbruck

* Best travel hack – I travel with my Apple Airtags

* Window/ Aisle seat – Window

* Favourite Cuisine – Thai

* Favourite Quote – “It’s so difficult when I have to and so easy when I want to”

* Hobbies – I am a foodie. I wish to learn the piano in 2025

* Travel souvenirs – love them or leave them – Take them, they are, after all, a remembrance that I have travelled to a particular place.

* Best advice for a first-time traveller – Just go and enjoy. Travel is a habit. If you enjoy your first tour you will continue it as a habit.

Follow BOTT on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter & Instagram