Pune startup crosses 5,000 guests, achieves 78% repeat rate, and expands to seven cities; built on a simple belief that group travel shouldn’t mean compromise
Pune, 2 June, 2026: Three years ago, JOY-N-CREW Vacations LLP set out to answer a question that India’s travel industry had long ignored: why should group travel mean rushed itineraries, mediocre hotels, and zero cultural depth? Today, with over 5,000 guests served, a 78% repeat customer rate, and offices in seven Indian cities, the Pune-based company has its answer, and the numbers to back it up.
Founded in October 2022 by Ms. Pragya Adiraj, a serial entrepreneur with ventures spanning super-speciality hospitals, investment banking, and event management, and Ranjan Murthy, a travel industry veteran with over two decades at companies including Cox & Kings, JOY-N-CREW launched its premium group tours in April 2023. The ambition was straightforward but radical for the segment: deliver a genuinely premium experience at group-tour pricing, without cutting corners on what actually matters to travelers.
In an industry where repeat business is rare, JOY-N-CREW’s 78% repeat customer rate stands out as perhaps its most telling metric. The company has built its reputation not through promotional pricing but through an unwavering focus on the quality of experience — a philosophy that has turned first-time guests into loyal advocates.
The portfolio spans destinations across six continents: Japan, China, Turkey, the Balkans, Scandinavia, Spain, Portugal, Kenya, South America, and New Zealand, including immersive single-country tours across Europe and, for the truly adventurous, expedition journeys to Antarctica, deliberately chosen for their depth, not just their popularity. Itineraries are designed to be unhurried, with ample personal time, 4- and 5-star accommodations in central locations, and fine-dining partnerships that prioritize authenticity over convenience.
Internationally, JOY-N-CREW arranges a doctor on call in every city, a quiet but significant commitment to the peace of mind of its primary demographic: discerning travelers aged 45 to 80 who want to explore the world seriously and comfortably.
What sets JOY-N-CREW apart, guests say, is the texture of the experience. The company’s signature “JNC Surprises” curated, unannounced local encounters that immerse travelers in community life at each destination,have become a much-anticipated feature of every tour. A dedicated shopping assistance team and meticulously trained tour directors, who function as much as companions and connectors as they do logistics managers, complete the picture.
“We never wanted to be the company that takes you to 14 cities in 10 days. We wanted to be the company you call when you actually want to feel a place, and then call again the next year.” Ms. Pragya Adiraj, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, JOY-N-CREW Vacations LLP
From its headquarters in Pune, JOY-N-CREW has opened six additional offices across India and expanded into premium educational travel for schools and universities, bringing the same curatorial standards to younger travelers. The growth has been deliberate and quality-first at every step.
With a strong operational foundation, a loyal customer base, and a clearly differentiated product in a segment ripe for disruption, JOY-N-CREW is now charting its next chapter, one the company’s leadership is approaching with the same deliberate ambition that has defined its first three years.
To fuel this next phase, JOY-N-CREW is currently in advanced discussions for Series A funding. The investment will accelerate geographic expansion, deepen its technology capabilities, and broaden its tour portfolio, enabling the company to bring its premium travel philosophy to a significantly larger audience across India and beyond.
About JOY-N-CREW Vacations LLP
JOY-N-CREW Vacations LLP is a Pune-based premium group travel company founded in 2022 by Ms. Pragya Adiraj and Ranjan Murthy. With seven offices across India and over 5,000 guests served across destinations including Japan, Scandinavia, Kenya, and New Zealand, the company specializes in curated group experiences that prioritize cultural immersion, comfort, and genuine human connection. JOY-N-CREW serves travel enthusiasts aged 45–80 and has recently expanded into premium educational travel.
