BENNY PANIKULANGARA: DESIGNING JOURNEYS THAT STAY WITH YOU

Travel is more than movement across maps — it is a quiet dialogue between people and places, between curiosity and discovery. It has the power to reshape perspectives, build human connections beyond borders, and turn distant dreams into lived experiences. In a world where journeys are often reduced to bookings and schedules, true travel still lies in thoughtful planning, cultural understanding, and the assurance of being cared for along the way.

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In a freewheeling conversation, Benny Panikulangara, Founder and Managing Director of Benny's Royal Tours Pvt Ltd, speaks about what truly goes into crafting unforgettable experiences in today's fast-changing travel world. From challenges behind the scenes to the vision driving future journeys, this is a story about passion, purpose, and turning travel into something far greater than a destination — a memory that stays long after the suitcase is unpacked.

Having more than three decades of experience in the travel industry, what first sparked your passion for travel? How did it lead to the founding of Benny's Royal Tours?

From a young age, I was fascinated by the history of places and driven by a deep desire to explore the world. The travelogues of Malayalam writers SK Pottekatt and Paul Zacharia shaped my belief that travel is more than movement — it is a journey of culture, stories, and human connections. That inspiration led me toward a career in the travel industry.

Even before the pandemic, I was already working in travel and tourism, running travel companies and staying closely connected to the industry. When global travel stopped, I viewed the situation not just as a disruption, but as a responsibility and a chance to support the sector's recovery. That period became the turning point that led to the founding of Benny's Royal Tours Pvt Ltd.

During the pandemic, our work focused on practical support. We introduced quarantine packages that helped stranded travellers return home safely and resume their jobs. Despite restrictions, we also operated several tour groups with careful planning and safety measures, including a trip to Murmansk in the Arctic region of Russia with 68 guests.