Amol Bandekar, Founder of TravelStop, founded in 2021, a B2B Travel Tech Company creating bespoke itineraries all across the globe and is currently mastering experiential tourism. A technology-driven company that is focused on automation enabling agents and clients to book fares with ease.
Incubees: Tell us about yourself and your startup? How has the journey been for you as an entrepreneur?
Amol Bandekar: My name is Amol Bandekar and I am the founder of TravelStop. TravelStop is a B2B Travel Tech Company. We Create bespoke itineraries all across the globe and are currently mastering ourselves in experiential tourism. We have a strong B2B network across India. We are a technology-driven company that is focused on automation that will enable our agents and clients to book fares with ease.
I started the company in 2021 after working in the tourism industry for a few years. The journey has been amazing so far, and I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to build something from scratch. I am constantly learning and growing as an entrepreneur, and am so excited to see what the future holds.
Incubees: How do you think digitalization has transformed the travel and tourism industry? What kind of tech is mainly associated with the tourism industry?
Amol Bandekar: Digitalization has had a profound impact on the travel and tourism industry. By making information more readily available and making it easier to book travel and accommodation, it has made travel more accessible to people. In addition, digitalization has made it easier for people to connect and share information about their experiences. This has made the industry more competitive and has led to more innovation and better customer service. The tourism industry is mainly associated with tech that helps with marketing, bookings, and logistics. This can include everything from social media and website to apps and GPS systems. By using the right tech, businesses in the tourism industry can reach more potential customers, streamline their operations, and provide a better overall experience for travelers. In recent years, virtual reality has also become increasingly popular in the tourism industry, as it can offer potential customers a realistic preview of their holiday destination.
Incubees: Tell us about your team and what keeps them moving.
Amol Bandekar: My team is a close-knit group that is always looking for new challenges. We are constantly striving to improve our skills and learn new techniques. Our team members are highly motivated and always willing to go the extra mile. We work well together and are always looking out for each other. What keeps us moving is our shared passion for tourism and its multi-fold benefits.
Incubees: What are some of the challenges you have faced as an entrepreneur in the travel industry?
Amol Bandekar: The travel industry is constantly changing and evolving, which can be a challenge for entrepreneurs who want to stay ahead of the curve. Keeping up with the latest trends can be a full-time job in itself. In addition, the travel industry is very competitive, so it is important to stand out from the crowd and offer something unique. Another challenge is dealing with the unexpected- such as natural disasters or geopolitical events that can disrupt travel plans.
Incubees: What are the services you offer at “TravelStop” and how do you think your startup is unique from others since tourism is a huge industry?
Amol Bandekar: As the name suggests, TravelStop is ‘THE’ stop for all your travelling requirements. We specialize in custom-made packages for our B2B Travel partners or our walk-in clients ensuring them the holiday of their dreams. The client can sit down with one of our holiday experts and converse about what they’d like on their vacation and we can provide an immediate quote within a matter of time. We have associated ground staff in over 47 countries enabling us to provide any other service on special requests. The differentiator for us as a company from the others is the fact that we bridge the gap between a DMC (destination management company) and the client thereby ensuring a fair and highly competitive rate in our offers.
Incubees: What would you like to say to upcoming entrepreneurs?
Amol Bandekar: There’s no one right answer to this question, but here are a few things to keep in mind as you start your journey as an entrepreneur: 1. It’s going to be a lot of work, but it’s also going to be incredibly rewarding. 2. Be prepared to face setbacks and adversity, but don’t let them get you down. 3. Surround yourself with a great team of people who believe in your vision. 4. always stay true to what you believe in no matter what others say. 5. Starting a business isn’t a 9-5 job but is a nonstop 24/7 of hard work.
To know more, visit: www.travelstop.co.in
