Chitra Gurnani Daga Success Story: From MBA to Building Thrillophilia
Chitra Gurnani Daga is one of India’s most inspiring travel entrepreneurs. She didn’t just start a travel company — she created a platform that lets people truly experience travel, not just visit tourist spots. As the co-founder and CEO of Thrillophilia, Chitra has transformed the way Indians explore the world. Her story is about passion, determination, and creating meaningful experiences. Her journey shows how vision combined with hard work can create opportunities that benefit not only the business founders but also millions of travelers and local communities.
Early Life and Education
Chitra’s journey began with a strong educational foundation. She completed her B.Tech in Information Technology from Dhirubhai Ambani Institute of Technology. After graduation, she worked at leading companies like Infosys and SAP India, gaining valuable corporate experience.
Her love for learning led her to the Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad, where she pursued an MBA in Strategy and Leadership. While at ISB, Chitra made a bold decision: she turned down corporate placement offers to focus on building her own venture. This choice reflected her entrepreneurial spirit and determination to make a real impact in the travel industry. It was a decision that required courage, as she left a safe career path for an uncertain entrepreneurial journey — but one she believed would allow her to combine her passion for travel with her professional ambitions.
The Birth of Thrillophilia
In 2009, Chitra and her husband Abhishek Daga co-founded Thrillophilia, a platform that focuses on adventure and experience-based travel. Their goal was simple: to give travelers experiences that go beyond hotels and sightseeing.
Thrillophilia started small, with limited resources, but big ambitions. The founders personally vetted local vendors to ensure every activity — whether it was wildlife treks, paragliding, or scuba diving — was safe and memorable. Chitra often recounts that in the early days, she personally answered calls, coordinated bookings, and even visited locations herself to ensure quality. One of their first major achievements was securing a corporate client, which helped the startup stabilize. Soon, the company reached its break-even point, proving the business model was viable. Abhishek joined full-time, and together they worked to scale the venture.
Growing Thrillophilia
Building a Reliable Network
Chitra focused on quality from day one. Rather than just listing experiences online, Thrillophilia carefully selected local operators and activity providers. This commitment to trust and reliability became the foundation of their success.
The company expanded on two fronts:
- Adventure Travel for Individuals: Multi-day trips and weekend getaways designed for exploration and fun.
- Corporate Travel Solutions: Team-building trips and experiential packages for companies.
Through these efforts, Thrillophilia built a strong reputation for quality and customer satisfaction.
Scaling Up
Thrillophilia’s growth over the years has been remarkable:
- Over 10,200 travel packages are available today.
- Operates in 200+ destinations in India and 70+ international locations.
- Collaborates with 45,000+ local vendors, ensuring authentic experiences for travelers.
In 2016, the company moved its base to Jaipur. This strategic relocation helped streamline operations, reduce costs, and maintain close connections with key travel hubs. Chitra has often emphasized that this move allowed the team to focus on growth while staying connected with the communities and locations that Thrillophilia serves.
Chitra’s Leadership Philosophy
Chitra’s leadership style focuses on people, quality, and impact:
- Customer First: Every trip is designed to be personal and memorable.
- Trustworthy Partnerships: Local operators are carefully vetted to maintain high standards.
- Sustainable Travel: Trips are designed to benefit local communities and preserve the environment.
- Technology with a Human Touch: AI helps plan trips efficiently, while humans ensure smooth execution.
- Community Impact: The business empowers local operators and fosters economic growth.
Her approach shows that business success can go hand in hand with social responsibility. She often encourages her team to think beyond profit and to focus on creating experiences that travelers will remember for a lifetime.
Challenges Along the Way
Chitra’s path was not without hurdles:
- Balancing MBA and Startup: Running a business while completing her studies required discipline and time management.
- Building Trust in Adventure Travel: Convincing people that adventure activities were safe and reliable was crucial.
- Scaling Operations: Managing thousands of experiences while maintaining quality was a continuous challenge.
- Gender Bias: As a woman entrepreneur in a male-dominated space, Chitra had to consistently prove her capabilities.
Through determination and clear vision, she overcame each obstacle and continued to grow Thrillophilia. She also mentors young women in business, sharing her experiences and helping them navigate similar challenges.
Recognition and Impact
Chitra’s achievements have earned her significant recognition:
- Thrillophilia is recognized as a leading platform for experience-based travel in India.
- She has received accolades such as the “Face of Future Travel” award at the India Travel Awards 2025.
- Millions of travelers have benefited from Thrillophilia’s curated trips, and thousands of local vendors have gained consistent opportunities.
Her journey inspires entrepreneurs, travelers, and women leaders alike. She has also been featured in interviews and panel discussions where she shares insights about sustainable tourism and using technology to enhance travel experiences.
Lessons from Chitra’s Journey
Chitra’s story provides several lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs:
- Follow Your Passion: Turn what you love into a meaningful business.
- Take Bold Risks: Leaving secure jobs can lead to rewarding opportunities.
- Focus on Quality: Customer trust and reliable partnerships are essential.
- Use Technology Wisely: Combine AI efficiency with human care.
- Build for Impact: Support local communities and sustainable practices.
- Stay Persistent: Overcome setbacks with determination and focus.
- Learn Continuously: Keep refining the business model based on real feedback from customers and vendors.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Thrillophilia
Chitra continues to expand her vision:
- Global Expansion: Offering international itineraries alongside domestic experiences.
- AI-Enhanced Personalization: Making trip planning faster and more tailored.
- Sustainable Tourism: Strengthening eco-friendly and community-focused initiatives.
- Mentorship: Guiding new entrepreneurs and promoting women in business.
Her ultimate goal is to create a travel ecosystem that is immersive, sustainable, and inclusive. She believes that travel should not just be about seeing new places but about leaving a positive impact on the destinations and the people who live there.
Key Milestones of Chitra Gurnani Daga
| Year | Milestone | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| ~2009 | Founded Thrillophilia | Started her journey in experience-based travel. |
| 2016 | Moved base to Jaipur | Improved operations and access to key destinations. |
| 10,200+ | Packages offered | Demonstrates scale and variety. |
| 45,000+ | Local vendors | Ensures authentic and reliable experiences. |
| Millions served | Travelers reached | Shows wide impact and trust. |
Frequently Asked Questions – (FAQ’s)
Q1: When was Thrillophilia founded?
A: Around 2009, by Chitra and Abhishek Daga.
Q2: What is Chitra’s educational background?
A: B.Tech in IT and an MBA in Strategy & Leadership from ISB Hyderabad.
Q3: How big is Thrillophilia now?
A: 10,200+ packages across 200+ domestic and 70+ international destinations with 45,000+ vendors.
Q4: Has she received awards?
A: Yes, including the “Face of Future Travel” award at India Travel Awards 2025.
Q5: What challenges did she face?
A: Managing MBA and startup simultaneously, gaining traveler trust, scaling operations, and overcoming gender bias.
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Conclusion:
Chitra Gurnani Daga’s journey shows how passion, hard work, and purpose can create something remarkable. She didn’t just start a company; she built a platform that transforms travel experiences in India and abroad. Thrillophilia proves that entrepreneurship can be meaningful, sustainable, and empowering.
For anyone dreaming of building their own venture or redefining a market, Chitra’s story is a powerful guide: follow your passion, take smart risks, prioritize quality, and build with impact.
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