Zostel at 13: From a Single Hostel to the World's Largest Hostel Chain
Zostel’s 13th anniversary story is a fascinating snapshot of how one idea reshaped Indian travel culture. From a single 24-bed hostel in Jodhpur in 2013 to a network of 100+ properties across India, Nepal, Thailand, and Europe, the brand has essentially created the backpacker hostel category in India.
Scale:
~5,000 beds today, with a target of 10,000 beds in the near future.
Expansion:
International presence in Phuket and a European partnership with Safestay covering 20+ destinations.
Community-first approach:
Over 5 million journeys recorded, building India’s largest youth travel community.
Diversification:
- Zo Trips → Group travel focused on experiences and friendships.
- Zostel Plus → Premium hostel stays.
- Zostel Homes → Nature-led escapes.
- Zo House → India’s first permanent hacker house network.
Local impact:
Franchise-led, locally operated model that channels travel spend into regional economies (e.g., Kaza, Bir).
Recognition:
Several five-star-rated hostels among India’s best.
CEO Aviral Gupta summed it up well: “Building a category is far harder than building a company, but it is also the most durable advantage there is.”
Zostel’s next chapter is clearly about scaling aggressively while deepening its community-led ethos.
