Known for his extensive knowledge and optimistic approach, he is an entrepreneur, a mentor, an angel investor, and an adept speaker. Ravi Gosain, Managing Director, ERCO Travels, holds a distinctive position in the travel and tourism industry, and with effort and determination, he promises to bring change to the established industry.
At the age of 24, Ravi Gosain entered the sector, motivated by his desire to see the world. Having earned a master’s degree in tourism, he started his work with a travel agency, where he became knowledgeable about the ins and outs of the travel and tourism sector. Since he was a young child, he had always wanted to start his own business and thus at the age of 26, he made the crucial choice of his life and founded ERCO Travels.
The road less travelled
He always appears confident and self-assured and has practiced moving out of his comfort zone to do something unique and different towards the betterment of the industry and society as well. He is that one personality who is never hesitant to experiment and think out of the box. His eagerness and enthusiasm have always given him the freedom to diversify and grow.
His initial days were filled with challenges, but as mentioned, his positive outlook and his thrust to achieve his goal never let him down. From 1999 to 2007, he worked like a machine, travelling countries to countries for the marketing of ERCO Travels. When reflecting on those bygone glories, Ravi adds, “My early days were a little difficult, but with time, I have learnt to overcome the difficulties and keep working hard. It wasn’t all luck; it was the hard work, how I made plans, put them into action, dealt with obstacles, and changed strategy. I’ve always loved my profession, so I never get weary of it.”
Maintaining the optimum balance
Ravi Gosain has seen the industry change since that time, and he has also adapted and put those changes into practice. He expresses his thoughts on the matter by saying, “When I started, communication was challenging, but the situation is different now. Platforms have changed from being manual to digital to ultra-digital, and we have also altered our strategy and method of operation. The level of competition is high; therefore, you must balance professionalism with innovation in your products and pro-activeness in understanding customer demand.
Change is the only constant
He stands out from the crowd due to his friendly disposition and humble behavior; he is that one individual who is never reluctant to lend a helping hand. Few people are aware that he has an emotional heart as well and is always willing to give back to society. He lives his passion and sharing on same, he shares, “I have visited more than 86 countries and almost all continents. Before I retire, I want to see 156 countries in the world. I don’t want to become a millionaire but travelling throughout the world makes me happy. I am happy, satisfied and gratified with what I have done and what I am doing. To catch up with other segment of tourism, I started with outbound travel company in 2012 in the name of Tourism Enterprises. The idea was sell experiences and destination which is unique and to allow the India travellers to explore and experience what I have experienced.”
Managing a portfolio is like managing a garden
Over the years, he has developed much intellectually and has steadily studied various fields. “I consider myself to be a true entrepreneur and enjoy discovering new interests and career paths. As the tourism industry experienced a setback during Covid, I began to venture into start-ups and coach businesses that were looking for guidance on how to build up their businesses, conduct marketing campaigns, etc,” says Ravi Gosain.
He has received many accolades for his accomplishments, including two National Tourism Awards. When asked on how he measures his success, he explicit, “I have a highly structured personality, I get up early, and I think it’s important to be both mentally and physically active. Honor your work and make an effort to focus on it at all times. My entire attention is on what I am doing. I believe there is a lot to do, and my definition of success is self-satisfaction rather than financial gain.”
He has played a variety of jobs, serves as the head of several associations, and has diligently worked to improve the industry. He feels that if you want to thrive in life, you must learn how to contribute to society. “Challenges keep you alive, and innovation is the key to success,” he continues.
