In the bustling heart of Delhi, a group of travel-tech visionaries set out to rewrite how the travel industry works — not for the end traveler, but for the unsung heroes behind every trip: the travel agents. Founded in 2018 by Arun Bagaria, Chirag Agrawal, and Ashish Thapliyal, TravClan has quickly become a game-changer in the B2B travel space, empowering over 10,000 travel professionals worldwide to build, grow, and scale their businesses digitally.
The Founders and Their Vision
For Arun Bagaria, the idea of TravClan came from firsthand experience in the travel ecosystem during his stints at Oyo and TravelTriangle. Armed with an MBA from IIM Bangalore and an engineering degree from NIT Rourkela, he saw the deep fragmentation in how small and mid-sized travel agents operated — dependent on multiple suppliers, outdated tools, and limited global reach. His vision? To build a platform where technology and trust unite, helping travel agents compete at a global scale.
Chirag Agrawal, an IIT Roorkee and IIM Ahmedabad alumnus, brought with him an innate knack for strategy and expansion. His earlier work in scaling international markets for Oyo and TravelTriangle became the blueprint for TravClan’s rapid growth — turning local agents into global sellers through digital enablement and data-driven insights.
Ashish Thapliyal, the tech backbone of the trio, came with two decades of experience from companies like Cars24, FabFurnish, and Gaadi.com. As CTO, he transformed TravClan from a simple booking interface into a robust tech ecosystem that integrates flights, hotels, and holidays — all in real time, with zero friction.
Together, they envisioned not just a business, but a movement to digitize travel entrepreneurship.
Building a Digital-First B2B Travel Platform
TravClan’s platform does more than aggregate inventory — it empowers travel agents to become digital brands. From building personalized websites and generating marketing content to providing 24/7 customer support, the platform gives agents all the tools they need to thrive in an increasingly digital marketplace.
What makes TravClan stand out is its Destination Management Company (DMC) network, spanning over 18 countries, offering live quotes, instant confirmations, and on-ground support. Whether it’s a honeymoon in Bali or a group trip to Europe, TravClan ensures that small agencies have the same level of access and professionalism as large-scale tour operators.
Growth, Scale, and Impact
From its early days, TravClan has been on a rocket trajectory. What began with a handful of agents has grown into a global community across all seven continents, with a multi-billion-dollar GMV and ambitions to hit $25 billion by 2026.
Its growth story is also one of resilience — helping countless travel businesses bounce back post-pandemic by digitizing operations, automating workflows, and expanding their market reach. The result? Strong agent retention, exponential growth through word-of-mouth, and recognition as one of India’s most trusted B2B travel brands.
Culture, Challenges, and Leadership
As CEO, Arun Bagaria often emphasizes TravClan’s “bias for action” — a culture built on agility, customer obsession, and continuous learning. The founders admit that scaling comes with its own set of challenges — hiring diverse talent, maintaining startup agility, and building for global scalability — but their shared experience across travel, tech, and product has kept them grounded and focused.
Every feature or product update at TravClan is driven by real feedback from agents, making the platform a reflection of the industry’s evolving needs rather than a top-down technology experiment.
What’s Next for TravClan
The road ahead looks ambitious yet purposeful. TravClan is doubling down on AI-driven personalization, expanding its international footprint, and launching new verticals like experiences, group travel, and financial services for agents.
Beyond technology, the founders envision TravClan as a global ecosystem of travel entrepreneurs — where small agencies can scale, learn, and collaborate seamlessly. Plans are also underway to invest in digital learning and marketing tools that help agents strengthen their online presence and profitability.
Conclusion
The story of TravClan and its founders — Arun Bagaria, Chirag Agrawal, and Ashish Thapliyal — is one of vision, innovation, and deep empathy for the travel community. By bridging technology and human connection, they’ve transformed how travel agents work, thrive, and dream.
In a world that’s moving fast toward automation, TravClan stands as a reminder that the future of travel isn’t just about where you go — it’s about who helps you get there.
