12+ years of Travel: What my job in the tourism industry has taught me

It’s been 12 years since I made a career out of my passion for travel, and throughout the years, people have often asked me, “How did you get a job in tourism?” or “How do you manage things on the road?”

Every time I’m asked these questions, I think back to when it all started, right after school. I didn’t have a fancy degree or a carefully laid-out plan.

I just knew I wanted to explore, and so I began traveling throughout India—covering the Northeast, going to Ladakh to conquer Umling La Pass and eventually went to Bhutan. Back then, it was just me and a group of friends, hitting the highways on our bikes and exploring everything we could.

I’ve done countless trips across India, and each one made me realize how much I loved being on the move.Those trips taught me lessons I never could have learned in a classroom, and eventually, that passion led me to Adventures Overland, where I’ve had the privilege of working for a long time now.

Through AO, I’ve had the honor of leading and experiencing some of the most iconic journeys—whether it’s the Road to London, Brazil, or the Iceland Expedition.

I’ve met people from every corner of the world and collected experiences that still give me goosebumps. But even more so, it has given me perspective. I still have a long way to go but here’s what my job in the tourism industry has taught me.

Here are a few things I’ve learned along the way:

You don’t always need a degree but you do need passion

The most asked question I get is whether a formal education is absolutely necessary to make a career in travel. I do believe that it helps setting a foundation but it’s never too late to follow your heart. And if the only thing stopping you from pursuing your dream of getting a job in the travel industry is the lack of a degree, then trust me, you are fretting over nothing.

I’ve met people who switched after a decade of working in a different industry, I’ve colleagues who were in the medical field before making it to Adventures Overland.

I started my career with a diploma, and my first job was at IGT (Air India’s call center), where I worked on inbound and outbound tourism. It was a desk job, and there were times when I questioned if this was truly the path for me. While it wasn’t the most glamorous start, it was essential. It gave me a foundation, and the skills I picked up there have stayed with me. But what kept me going through all the calls, emails, and the “boring” work wasn’t a piece of paper—it was my passion for travel.

The Real Work Happens Off the Road

A lot of people think that a career in tourism is all about being outdoors but travel is much more than that. Truth is, I spent years at a desk before I became an outdoor leader—and even now, a significant part of my job is still “desk work.” Whether it’s researching destinations, creating itineraries, booking visas, managing suppliers, or calculating the right costs for a trip, all of these things need to be done before you even step foot outside.

If you don’t understand how the backend works, the outdoor part won’t happen. To enjoy the fruits of travel, you first need to put in the labor—whether it’s sorting out the nitty-gritty details or planning a route that maximizes both experience and safety. It took me a while to accept that this side of the job was just as important, but once you do, you realize that it’s all part of a bigger picture.

Without it, you can’t get to the part where you’re hiking to Everest Base Camp or driving across Iceland. It takes time, effort, and a lot of patience before you reach the point where things work out the way you want them to. But when they do, it’s incredibly rewarding.

Sacrificing Work-Life Balance

One of the toughest lessons I’ve learned is giving up the idea of a traditional work-life balance. Traveling for work sounds exciting, but it means you’re often away from home, leaving your partner or family behind, missing out on quality time, or not being there when you’re needed. It’s inevitable but here’s the thing: you have to find your own version of balance.

Over the years, I’ve realized that prioritizing what’s most important and giving it my 100% is key. This applies to both work and life. I’m fortunate to have a partner who understands my job and supports me fully. Even when we were dating, we’d take spontaneous trips, like a day trip to Agra. That level of understanding at home allows me to focus and give my best at work.

But at the same time, I can’t always ask my partner to navigate it on her own. At the end of the day, I’m the only one who can do that, and I do it by ensuring that for every six trips I take, at least two are with my family.

For example, I took my wife on the Road to London, and we extended the trip, spending time in Norway, Amsterdam, and Paris. It’s my way of making up for the lost time, and it works. These little adjustments help me stay connected and make the sacrifices more manageable. Bringing your family into your world helps bridge that gap. You learn to fix things in your way, making time for the people who matter even when work demands a lot from you.

When Life Throws Detours, Take Them

One thing that travel and life have in common is that they keep you on your toes. When you’re out on the road, you have to understand that there’s no such thing as being “prepared”. You can think you are ready to tackle a hundred problems and then out of nowhere, a new one can arise.

My personal motto is to always plan your day but don’t always expect things to go as planned. It takes the pressure off your shoulders and makes you approach things realistically.

One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is that being able to adapt is part of the adventure. I’ve experienced this countless times.

For instance, while doing the Road to London, we had a time crunch between Turkey and Serbia. We had no choice but to take an unplanned detour through Greece. At the time, it felt like a disruption, but we quickly adapted, and that detour became one of the most memorable parts of the journey. In fact, we later incorporated it into the itinerary. Because a new problem also means a new solution and subsequently a new possibility.

So, either it’s planning a road trip or planning life, you have to accept the fact that things might not always go your way, but if you embrace the change and let yourself be open-minded, it often works out better than expected.

The experiences really make it all worth it

At the end of the day, every sacrifice becomes worth it when I reflect on the incredible experiences I’ve had.

I’ve been fortunate enough to travel to some of the most awe-inspiring places on the planet, and every time I check off a bucket-list destination, I’m reminded of why I chose this path. The sacrifices, the hard work, the exhaustion —it all fades away when you’re standing in front of Mount Everest or gazing at the Northern Lights. It’s these moments that stay with you forever and remind you to be grateful.

So yes, the journey hasn’t always been easy, and it’s taken time to reach where I am today. But every step along the way—whether it’s the sleepless nights, missed family dinners, or endless desk work—has brought me closer to living my dream.

In the end, this career has given me far more than I ever imagined, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Every roadblock, every detour, and every unplanned turn has led me to experiences I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life. And that’s what travel is all about—embracing the journey, no matter where it takes you. In the end, that’s what makes it all worth it.