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From The Daily Rut To Following Their Hearts, These 7 Individuals Did It And So Can YOU!

Tripoto

Aayush, at age 24, was working as a data analyst and living a ‘successful’ life as per every societal parameter. But in his heart he knew something was amiss – a feeling shared by Ankush who was working for a top notch IT firm in Germany. One year down the line, A​a​yush sips tea overlooking the beach in Goa while Ankush follows his passion for adventure sports in the hills of Bir-billing in Himachal – still earning ​at par ​to what they ​used to ​in their cushy jobs.

The travel scene in India is changing and is changing fast. Startups such as Zostel​​, India's first chain of backpacker hostels, are successfully creating a huge wave in the Indian travel space with youngsters flocking to it. Aayush​ and Ankush​, being smart entrepreneurial individuals, are riding this wave with the help of Zostel, that ​recently ​launched ​the second season ​of their one-of-its-kind ​E​ntrepreneurship D​evelopment ​P​rogram, Follow Your Heart. Seven young entrepreneurs, who used to be working professionals, joined th​is movement last year ​and are now proud owners of seven new travel hostels in India.

These seven millennials had the courage to break out of the rut and bring about a travel revolution in India that's slowly catching up with its western counterparts.​ After knowing the success stories of these 7 individuals who had taken the leap of faith to live a life on their own terms, the following words by Mark Twain seem truer than ever.

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."

Inspired? Checkout www.zostel.com/followyourheart

1. Hemant Mishra

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Hemant, Owner at Zostel Khajuraho

"Zostel is a family; it's a gang of free spirits. We together share this incredible feeling of travelling brotherhood. Every new day making new friends, sharing travel stories, helping travellers experience the very adventure of the place is not less than a celebration of life. Being a Zosteler, hosting travellers across the globe feels like a journey in itself."

2. Ajay Negi

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Ajay, Owner at Zostel Spiti

"I'd seen the best of both worlds – being born and brought up in Kinnaur (H.P) at the might of Himalaya and then going to the cities to finish my engineering and MBA. I always admired my home place as one of the best valleys, and later also realised that tourism would be a sustainable option here as well as a way to pay my dues. Zostel, being the largest chain of backpacker hostels, and having a loyal customer base, provides me with the best opportunity to further my goal of providing knowledge to the locals about the best of tourism practices to make a sustainable effort towards healthy growth of tourism."

3. Sagar Vishwanath

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Sagar, Owner at Zostel Gokarna

"Boy! We are super glad that we chose the Zostel way! It’s been an eventful year… Our first venture into entrepreneurship and the many situations we handled, the sheer logistics have been huge! Every challenge we faced has increased our ability to handle things more effectively. Working with Zostel is fun as the team has nurtured us well and helped us along the way from inception to launch, to day to day operations."

"And best of all, in the year that has passed, working with Zostel and just running a hostel is like travelling without travelling. You get to meet people from across the world and share experiences and cultures. Thank you Zostel for the opportunity and I look forward to many years of partnership."

4. Bharat Thakur

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Bharat, Owner at Zostel Manali

"Although our journey is just the beginning, and we know we have a long way to go, if this is the start, oh boy, we can't wait to see what's next. We left metro cities in search of a better life back home but never imagined that life would bless us this well. Looking after our guests seems like a way of life, welcoming them as strangers and bidding goodbye as friends. If you have the courage to start from nil, this may be for you too. We, at Zostel, are a small family but a strong one. A family that takes care of each other."

5. Ayush Johry

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Ayush, Owner at Zostel Goa

"Zostel is not just a brand or a chain of hostels for us, Zostel has been a chapter in our life through which we have lived, laughed, traveled and learned more about ourselves and the world around us. Being born in this diverse country of ours, since childhood we have had a special place for the state of Goa. And when the opportunity to start our first business in Goa came knocking at our door, it was a dream come true."

"The journey has been amazing and has helped us meet so many different people and know exotic cultures. Meeting new people everyday and sharing your thoughts and stories with them has made us realise the power of human connections and magic of human relationships and has helped us become a better global citizen. This opportunity has taught us how to manage our business, staff and our resources to provide the best hospitality to our guests. Thanks you Zostel for this fabulous, anecdotal and eventful journey."

6. Ankush Rana

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Ankush, Owner at Zostel Bir

"We belong to this valley; Kangra Valley. We were wandering in the cities and finally returned home with a purpose. A purpose worth sacrificing the regular careers.

To contribute to the cause of containing global warming, eco-tourism and employment for the locals, Zostel gave us the platform to promote vacation with zero carbon emission. Trek, Take Off and Trail (hiking, paragliding and mountain biking) are non-polluting adventure activities that engage the travellers in eco-friendly tourism and also help the locals earn a living near their hometown. It also helps the process of reverse immigration and reduces the load on the metros thereby contributing in a holistic and sustainable way."

"Thanks to the Zostel Team for giving us this opportunity and connecting the travellers with Bir."

7. Ali Khan

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Ali, Owner at Zostel Jaisalmer

"Zostel is the best hostel! I have been in hospitality tourism for the last 20 years, but this has been one of my most exciting endeavours. Zostel has brought the great culture of exceptional hostels to India. I am proud to be part of the Zostel family. It has been such an exciting year hosting so many amazing travellers from all over the world."

If you too can relate to their stories in some manner, the opportunity to choose is right now.

Click here to register now for ZOSTEL EDP.

Find all the details about how to open your own hostel here: www.zostel.com/followyourheart

Sponsored story for Zostel.

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