Chennai start-up Pickyourtrail launches domestic travel business with trips to Kashmir

Hari Ganapathy, Co-Founder, Pickyourtrail
| Photo Credit:
[@]VIGNESHWARAN

Travel tech start-up Pickyourtrail has forayed into domestic travel and is starting this segment of its business with Kashmir.

“As Kashmir reels from recent events that have shaken both its people and its tourism-dependent economy, Pickyourtrail’s entry is guided not by market opportunity—but by intention,” the company said on Friday.

“We’ve always believed that travel is about more than just visiting places. It’s about the people, the culture, and the stories we take back,” said Hari Ganapathy, Co-Founder of Pickyourtrail. “What Kashmir needs right now isn’t sympathy—it’s solidarity. As travellers, we mustn’t turn away from a region when it needs us most. This is not about business; it’s about belief.”

Pickyourtrail’s curated Kashmir itineraries will be designed to bring together immersive local experiences, verified stays, and on-ground partners committed to hospitality and safety. The company is also working with its ecosystem of partners to ensure that the benefits of every trip go back to the communities that make the journey special.

“Tourism accounts for nearly 8 per cent of Jammu & Kashmir’s Gross State Domestic Product, according to the state’s Economic Survey. That translates to an industry worth over ₹20,000 crore annually. In a region where nearly 90 per cent of industrial employment is driven by MSMEs—most of them seasonally tied to tourism—every cancelled booking doesn’t just affect hotels and cab drivers. It hits their livelihoods. It affects hope. And it slows down a region that deserves to rise,” Pickyourtrail added in its statement.

Founded in 2014 by Hari Ganapathy and Srinath Shankar, Pickyourtrail has empowered over 100,000+ travellers from 22 countries to plan and enjoy international holidays. It is now getting into the domestic travel market.

More Like This

Published on May 23, 2025