India’s leading backpacker hostel brand expands into Southeast Asia with AI-powered travel ecosystem, aiming for 10× growth in the next year
India, August 14, 2025: On its 12th anniversary and coinciding with Independence Day, Zostel, India’s pioneering backpacker hostel chain, announced the global launch of its parent company, Zo World. The move marks the brand’s transition from a domestic hospitality leader to a borderless travel-tech ecosystem, with an ambitious target of achieving ₹1,500 crore in annualized revenue through its rapidly scaling vertical, Zo Trips, over the next 12 months.
Founded in 2013, Zostel transformed India’s travel landscape by making experiential, community-driven stays accessible to young explorers. From a single hostel in Jodhpur, the network now spans over 85 destinations and has hosted more than 10 million journeys.
“Zostel turning 12 is deeply personal for me. I’ve lived every chapter from our first hostel to today’s global launch,” said Aviral Gupta, CEO, Zo World. “With Zo World, we’re taking this movement global—rooted in community, powered by AI, and inspired by India’s timeless philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.”
Zo World – A Five-Vertical Travel-Tech Ecosystem
Zo World integrates travel, hospitality, and community engagement through five key verticals:
Zo Trips – Full-stack travel planning, from flights to local adventures, aiming for 10× growth and ₹1,500 crore in revenue within 12 months.
Zo Villas – A network of 300 premium vacation homes with cultural immersion, targeting 80% occupancy.
Zo Houses – Coliving spaces for founders, creators, and digital nomads in global cities.
Zo Digital – An AI-driven personalization platform offering gamified perks, smart community engagement, and digital ownership.
Global Expansion – Scaling to 10,000+ beds across 100+ Zostel locations and activating 25+ Southeast Asian properties, including in Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia.
The company is also building a network of over 1,000 local service partners to deliver locally rooted yet globally scalable experiences for Gen Z travelers, remote professionals, and conscious explorers.
“As India becomes a cultural superpower, Zo World will be one of its most exciting global exports,” Gupta added.
About Zostel
Founded in 2013, Zostel is India’s first and largest network of backpacker hostels, known for creating community-centric travel experiences. With Zo World, the brand is expanding globally, blending hospitality with technology to redefine the way the world travels.