1) Entrepreneurial Journey and Vision
What inspired you to start SunRaj Travels, and how did you shape its early vision
to stand out in the travel industry?
It was actually my mother who inspired SunRaj Travels. In 1988, she used to assist a travel agency that handled school excursions across India. She saw the industry’s potential long before any of us did. While my brother pursued computer engineering, she encouraged me to explore travel.
So, after my studies, I completed my Travel & Tourism course at IITC, Bandra, and began my journey at an IATA agency in Sakinaka.
I then co-founded Visa Lounge, which grew rapidly to 10,000+ partner agents, 7 offices in India, and an international presence. COVID brought that chapter to a halt, and after the pandemic, I decided to join my family's small travel agency, but promising travel company, which was run from home since 2010.
How SunRaj Got Its Name
The name SunRaj carries a special piece of our family’s heart. It was lovingly given by our mother, who wanted the company to reflect the spirit of her children. She combined “ Sun ,” taken from the short name of my brother Sunnu, and “ Raj ,” from my own pet name Raja.
By blending the two, she created SunRaj—a name that symbolises unity, family, and the values she instilled in us. Every time we see the name, we’re reminded that the roots of our journey begin with her love and blessings.
Our Expansion into Dubai
Our move into Dubai is a deliberate and meaningful extension of who we are and what we stand for. First, having a local presence in the UAE allows us to better support our outbound clients—many of whom travel frequently to Dubai and the wider GCC. Being on the ground ensures we can deliver the same high-touch, service-driven experience that forms the core of our customer-centric philosophy.
Secondly, the GCC has emerged as one of the fastest-growing tourism and global exhibition hubs. Establishing ourselves in Dubai positions us at the heart of this growth. It marks the first step toward building a stronger regional presence while opening doors to the expanding India–Gulf business corridor. Our Dubai office isn’t just an addition—it’s a strategic move toward long-term opportunity, connectivity, and regional relevance.
SunRaj Travels is truly a dream born from my mother’s vision, shaped by years of experience, and fuelled by a commitment to service excellence.
2) Industry Leadership and Impact
What differentiates SunRaj Travels from other travel agencies in Mumbai and
India in terms of customer experience and service excellence?
At SunRaj Travels, our biggest differentiator is our service philosophy. We operate with a simple belief: clients don’t just need a travel agent—they need a trusted travel advisor. This shapes everything we do. Our approach is transparent, relationship-driven, and focused on delivering a consistently seamless experience.
Another key differentiator is that our entire growth has been organic. In 15 years, we have never made a single cold sales call. Every one of our 120+ corporates has come through referrals, recommendations, or our strong digital reputation. This trust-driven growth speaks louder than any marketing campaign.
We also bring a deep understanding of corporate travel, thanks to decades of experience with leading airlines and travel organisations. This helps us combine strong operational processes with a high-touch, personalised service model—a balance many agencies struggle to maintain.
Additionally, our expansion from a 3-member home office to an 18-member IATA-approved and ISO-certified organisation reflects the strength of our systems, team culture, and service reliability.
In short, SunRaj stands apart because of our personalised attention, advisory mindset, unwavering service commitment, and the trust our clients place in us—which continues to be our greatest endorsement.
How do you keep your team motivated towards consistently delivering unforgettable travel experiences?
At SunRaj, our culture is built on one core belief: every customer is God-sent. This attitude is instilled from day one, and it naturally shapes how our team serves every traveller.
Motivation comes from respect, growth, and genuine care. Every employee has a clear path for advancement, and we reward performance through incentives, gifts, and quarterly/half-yearly evaluations. We ensure their well-being with mediclaim, personal accident cover, medical tie-ups, and soon, even education support for their children.
We celebrate festivals together, enjoy monthly team lunches, and maintain an environment where everyone works with a sense of ownership. As SunRaj grows, our team sees their own growth reflected in it—this shared journey keeps them inspired and committed to creating exceptional travel experiences.
SunRaj was recognised with the Hridayanand Swarnshri Samman. How does this
recognition reflect your values and mission as an organisation?
Receiving the Hridayanand Swarnshri Samman is a true honour for SunRaj and a reflection of the values we stand for as an organisation. This recognition celebrates our unwavering commitment to service excellence, our passion for customer-first thinking, and the strong ethical foundation on which Sun-Raj has been built.
It reinforces our mission to deliver trustworthy, transparent, and world-class travel solutions, while continuously innovating and caring for the people and communities we serve. More than an award, it is a reminder that when you work with integrity, compassion, and dedication, the impact goes far beyond business.
3) Innovation, Digitalisation, and Global Mobility
Can you describe an instance where SunRaj’s digital adoption or customer-centric practice led to a major breakthrough?
With SunRaj serving travellers worldwide, are committed to leveraging technology and innovation to deliver seamless global mobility solutions for both corporates and individuals. Our focus is on simplifying processes, reducing turnaround time, and enhancing the overall travel experience through smart automation.
One of our major digital initiatives currently underway is the automation of customer email responses through API integration. With this system, travellers will receive instant flight options based on their inputs, and once a selection is made, the system will auto-issue the ticket without manual intervention. This solution—now in the final stages of implementation—will significantly transform the way corporate travel bookings are managed, ensuring speed, accuracy, and convenience.
Additionally, we have developed an internal GST calculation system to help corporates understand the exact tax breakup and credits applicable on their travel spends, something many organisations struggled with earlier. This tool has made the process transparent and effortless for our clients and has been a key factor in several corporates choosing to shift their travel management to SunRaj.
Through such innovations, combined with our operational excellence and global presence, SunRaj continues to deliver streamlined, technology-driven mobility solutions that empower both corporate and individual travellers worldwide.
4) Sustainability and Responsible Travel
What initiatives do you support or plan to introduce to promote eco-friendly travel
experiences for your clients?
At SunRaj, sustainability is becoming an integral part of how we design and deliver travel experiences. One of our key eco-friendly initiatives is our partnership with Grow A Billion Trees, a program committed to large-scale reforestation and climate restoration.
Under this initiative, for every trip our clients take, we plant a sapling on their behalf. Each sapling is monitored for 3 years, ensuring it is nurtured and grows into a healthy, mature tree. After planting, a personalised certificate is issued to the traveller or corporate, allowing them to track the progress of their tree and contribute meaningfully to environmental well-being.
This initiative not only offsets a part of the carbon footprint generated through travel, but also helps our clients participate directly in environmental conservation—making travel more responsible, conscious, and impactful.
As we grow, SunRaj plans to expand such green partnerships, promote sustainable travel choices, and integrate more eco-friendly practices into our global mobility solutions.
5) Personal Leadership Insights
What are the top three qualities you believe every great leader in the travel industry
industry possess?
- Agility – to quickly adapt to shifting regulations, markets, and global situations.
- Customer-Centricity – to understand traveller needs and deliver exceptional, reliable experiences.
- Innovation Mindset – to embrace technology and design smarter, simpler travel solutions.