New Delhi: Zo World has announced a major leadership transition as part of its next growth chapter. Aviral Gupta, a founding force behind Zo World and core team member of Zostel, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer. Dharamveer Singh Chouhan, Co-founder of Zostel and a trailblazer in India’s backpacker revolution, will now assume the role of Chairman of the Zo World Group.
This transition marks a significant milestone for Zo World as it accelerates its expansion across India and Southeast Asia, enters new verticals, and strengthens its technology-led offerings for travellers, creators, and communities. Aviral’s appointment follows a planned succession journey over the past three years. He has led critical functions from hostel launches and tech development to financial strategy, and has been instrumental in improving unit economics and launching high-growth verticals.
Aviral Gupta, CEO, Zo World, said, “Zo World has never just been about places—it’s about people, philosophy, and finding meaning in movement. I’ve had the privilege of shaping this journey from day one, and I’m honored to now lead it into its next evolution. We’re entering a phase of hyperscale and deep impact, where we’re not just growing vertically, but redefining what travel, community, and ownership can look like in the modern world.”
Under Aviral’s leadership, Zo World is evolving into a borderless lifestyle ecosystem. The group has ambitious goals including 10,000 beds across 100+ Zostels by 2026, and scaling Zo Trips—its fastest-growing vertical—towards a ₹1,500 crore annual GMV target. Other major focus areas include Zo Villas (premium vacation rentals), Zo Houses (tech-enabled co-living for nomads, artists, and founders), and Zo Digital, an AI-powered engagement and monetisation platform that connects all parts of the Zo ecosystem.
Dharamveer Singh Chouhan, who will now steer the group’s long-term vision as Chairman, has been the philosophical and strategic backbone of the brand. In his new role, he will lead global expansion efforts, cultivate visionary partnerships, and uphold the core ethos of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” — the Indian belief that the world is one family.
Dharamveer Singh Chouhan, Chairman, Zo World Group, said, “After revolutionising how young Indians travel for more than a decade, I think it is time for me to zoom-out and focus on the larger picture. Aviral has been the invisible engine behind Zo for years, and I couldn’t be more confident in his capabilities to take this vision forward. I’m excited to focus on shaping the larger vision, expanding our community across borders, and ensuring that the essence of Zo World remains intact as we scale.”
This leadership realignment is expected to unlock Zo World’s next growth curve—“Zostel 2.0”—as it transitions from a backpacking pioneer to a full-fledged, tech-powered lifestyle ecosystem. With Zo Digital and its in-house AI capabilities at the core, the brand is investing in personalization, gamification, and digital monetisation tools to deepen user engagement.
