Interview: Ankush Nishchal and Varsha Agarwal, Co-Founders of TravGreen

TravGreen is a bootstrapped and privately held company founded by Ankush Nishchal and Varsha Agarwal, a duo with over a decade of experience in the international travel and tourism sector. Built from the ground up with integrity, vision, and a shared commitment to blending luxury with purpose.
Specializing in personalized, eco-conscious journeys across global destinations, the company champions responsible tourism through its four core pillars- Sustainability First, Community Empowerment, Cultural Preservation, and Transparency & Ethics.

In an exclusive interaction with Motiverge Travel, Ankush Nishchal and Varsha Agarwal, Co-Founders of TravGreen share their vision of creating a global standard for sustainable luxury travel. Drawing inspiration from the need to harmonize exploration with environmental responsibility, Ankush and Varsha have steered TravGreen into becoming a trusted name for conscious travellers worldwide. Their leadership is rooted in the belief that travel should enrich both the traveller and the places they visit- preserving traditions, empowering communities, and maintaining the highest standards of integrity. With a passion for curating experiences that are as mindful as they are memorable, Ankush and Varsha continue to pave the way for a more ethical and immersive travel future.

Below are the excerpts from the interview:

What inspired you and Varsha Agarwal to start TravGreen? Was there a moment when you both felt luxury travel needed a sustainable rethink?

After over a decade of curating holidays for families, couples, and corporate groups, we realized
luxury travel could be far more meaningful if it embraced sustainability During our travels in
Asia, Europe, Africa, and Oceania, we discovered that real indulgence actually comes from
experiences which also care for the planet. Varsha and I both believed in this and initiated
TravGreen in 2022 to combine high-end, detail-oriented travel with environmentally responsible
values. We wanted to demonstrate that sustainability can make luxury better, not worse.

What does “Sustainability First” mean in practice at TravGreen, and how do you stand out in today’s growing sustainable travel space?

For us, “Sustainability First” means ensuring that green principles are embedded in every aspect,
ranging from collaborations with eco-luxury lodges and electric or low-emission transportation
to local, seasonal food promotion and supporting community-led excursions. We differentiate
by ensuring that luxury is never compromised and guests still get to enjoy the best comfort, but
with choices that serve a purpose of preserving the planet and empowering local communities.
Each journey is designed to have a positive footprint, for the traveller and the destination.

Who is the TravGreen traveller? Are they eco-aware millennials, seasoned explorers, or a growing mix?

TravGreen traveller is the mix of eco-aware millennials, well-travelled professionals and
seasoned explorers who want comfort while associating their conscience with the impact the
journey has on the planet. Many are families seeking responsible holidays or corporate leaders
who want to give recognition through experiential trips. While curiosity and open-mindedness
unite those people, the urge to explore consciously without putting a price on quality and
indulgence does as well.

What drives your own love for travel, and how do you turn that passion into strong partnerships that make TravGreen experiences truly special?

Travel for me is never just an experience; it is about forging real connections including
understanding cultures, realizing nature in all her glory, and seeing how different are her various
manifestations. This principle extends into forging long-standing partnerships with environment-
conscious hotels, local communities, and international-level conservation projects. The synergy
created by these partnerships allows TravGreen to offer unusually responsible journeys that are
personal and true to our center; thus, every trip means as much to our guests as it does to our
partner side.

TravGreen emphasizes cultural preservation. How do you ensure your trips support local heritage instead of overwhelming it?

We work closely with the local communities, traditional experts, and local craftspeople to craft
experiences that honour and protect heritage. The itineraries include guided encounters, hands-
on activities, and excursions led by locals with respect and discretion. By putting tourism income
back into cultural systems and ensuring the locals are employed, we guarantee that the
traditions are not being presented just for show but are being perpetuated to sustain the
communities while they host the heritage on their own pursuits.

Tell us about one TravGreen trip that captured your vision perfectly- something that left a mark on both guest and host.

Our Kenya eco-luxury safari perfectly reflected TravGreen’s ethos. Guests stayed in solar-
powered lodges, dined on organic farm-to-table meals, and participated in wildlife conservation
safaris guided by the Maasai. They interacted with local communities through storytelling and
cultural exchange, witnessing how tourism supported education and healthcare locally. The trip
left guests inspired and the hosts empowered, proving luxury travel can create lasting, positive
change.

What are some must-visit destinations that you’d recommend to our readers? And is there an offbeat or lesser-known place you wish more travellers would discover?

Must-visit luxury destinations include Kenya for wildlife, New Zealand for nature-driven
adventures, and Iceland for its raw landscapes and geothermal wellness escapes. For offbeat
exploration, we recommend Ladakh in India for its pristine beauty and rich culture, an emerging
region for conscious travellers seeking quiet luxury and authentic experiences far from mass
tourism.

How do you see the travel and tourism market evolving in India? How is the Ministry of Tourism supporting startups in promoting sustainable and experiential travel?

India’s tourism economy is quickly adopting sustainability, wellness tourism, and experiential
travel, spurred by a new generation of mindful tourists. The Ministry of Tourism has proposed
programs favouring eco-tourism circuits, digital outreach for experiential travel, and funding
opportunities for startups that adopt eco-friendly practices. This nurturing environment is
opening up opportunities for businesses like TravGreen to develop and grow sustainable luxury
travel solutions.

With digital nomads and slow travel trending, how is luxury travel itself evolving?

Luxury travel is moving away from hurried sightseeing and towards deeper, slower experiences
where visitors spend more time in fewer locations. Digital nomads are looking for high-comfort
accommodations with wellness and cultural experiences, and slow travellers are looking for
green accommodations and community-based experiences. Luxury is about privacy, authenticity, and sustainability, not mere extravagance. TravGreen designs itineraries that fit this new definition of indulgence.

Finally, what’s your personal travel mantra- the one thing you always carry, beyond a suitcase?

My mantra is “Travel with purpose and curiosity.” Beyond a suitcase, I always carry gratitude- a
mindset that every journey is an opportunity to learn, connect, and leave a positive footprint, no
matter where I go.

What’s next for TravGreen? Can you share your expansion plans and upcoming milestones you’re excited about?

TravGreen’s goal is to establish sustainable travel as the mainstream choice, rather than a niche
pursuit. The company projects expanding into India’s leading cities over the next five years,
developing its network of international eco-partners, and launching creative products, such as
ESG-compliant corporate travel solutions. The vision is unmistakable, reconfiguring luxury travel
so that making responsible choices is the new normal for all travellers.