The travel industry is constantly evolving and being reshaped by travel tech start-ups at the forefront of innovation. Especially when the recent budget too aims to support India’s burgeoning tourism sector, there is a need for more targeted interventions to realize India’s vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’. Numerous forward-thinking companies are harnessing cutting-edge technology to elevate every aspect of the travel experience, from booking flights and hotels to the thrill of discovering new destinations and immersing oneself in virtual reality adventures. However, when sustainable tourism is still a question, Hostus, an upcoming name in the tourism sector, stands tall in this regard, focusing on incorporating sustainability into experiential tourism.

Located in Siliguri, West Bengal, Hostus (formerly Hoetus) stands for Homestay and Sustainable Tourism Upliftment Services. Currently, amidst the sustainable tourism buzz, Hostus strives to connect all the sustainable experiences drawing them to a single platform. Delivering an exceptional level of hospitality by leveraging indigenous experiences such as homestays, experiential & rural tourism, the company extensively promotes sustainability through its extensive network of indigenous hospitality service providers.

Enhancing sustainable practices, Hostus has launched a program called PAT (Pet a Tree), where guests are provided with fruit trees to plant at their destination. Each tree is given a name tag containing the guest’s name, the tree’s name, and the planting date. Hostus also sends periodic updates about the trees to keep guests connected and boost sustainability. Over 200 trees have been planted by guests in the past one year, and the project has helped build strong relationships within local communities. Gaurav Debnath, Founder & CEO of Hostus says, “Our firm envisions a world that embraces responsible and sustainable ecotourism as the best way to explore the planet. For example, we aim to highlight unique experiences like festival tourism, tea tourism, culinary tourism, spiritual tourism, and wellness tourism, showcasing India in a way that suits our guests with uncommon experiences”.

Hostus is dedicated to establishing a global community for sustainable tourism. Over the past two years, the organization has built a network of more than 460 homestays,

catering to numerous environmentally conscious guests across India. Positioned as a committed sustainable travel tech company, Hostus not only promotes eco-friendly and sustainable tourism but also provides digital platform (website and mobile apps) designed to streamline cataloging, booking, hosting and bidding services for stays and cabs. Unlike traditional hotels, alternative accommodations such as homestays, eco-stays, camping, and glamping offer distinct experiences but lack centralized booking systems. Consequently, Hostus has emerged as a sophisticated platform designed to assist hosts, particularly small and marginal entrepreneurs in rural India, in managing availability and facilitating the booking process for stays, tourist cabs, commute rentals and activity service providers.

Positioned as a committed sustainable travel tech company, Hostus not only promotes eco-friendly and sustainable tourism but also provides digital platform designed to streamline cataloging, booking, hosting and bidding services for stays & cabs

Additionally, the upgraded app enables users to select their preferred mode of transportation by considering quotes from local cab drivers, taking into account factors such as pricing, reviews, and eco-friend liness, including electric vehicle options. This strategic initiative is designed to promote awareness of carbon emissions and to empower users to make environmentally conscious decisions while traveling. Gaurav adds, “When designing our tour packages, we prioritize providing guests with an authentic experience of their destination and ambience. This also includes immersing them in the local culture and allowing them to engage with the community”.

Rohit Karne, Director & Head of Operations

Hostus prioritizes passion over qualifications when building a team. Gaurav says, “Rohit Karne (Director & Head of Operations for South India), a newly joined core leader, is one inspiring example. He is passionate about expanding Hostus’ reach across India by conducting research and making connections. Currently starting with South Indian locations of Sakleshpur in Karnataka, Tirupati, Kerala, Goa, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana”.

Growth Pathway Ahead

Looking toward future, Hostus has many things in pipeline. It is developing a tracking system for the entire journey, allowing travelers to share and track their journey in real-time from arrival at the airport to boarding their departure flight. This system also enables family and friends to monitor the journey, provide feedback, and view photographs. Through this approach, Hostus aims to ensure real-time safety for travelers and their loved ones.

In addition, Hostus, through its NGO Hoetus Foundation, works towards driving litter free tourism solutions across various Himalayan villages & towns and is also planning to highlight the work of local artists by creating a platform to showcase their work on social media, its website, and apps. It is also developing a community section to showcase contributions from each destination, benefiting local communities and providing valuable information to guests.