Let’s embrace the vision of Oddessemania, a homegrown startup revolutionizing the travel experience with GuidePe and sustainable tourism practices.
Bhaswati Kalita
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In the ever-evolving landscape of sustainable tourism, one company has carved out a niche so powerful that it has transformed remote exploration into an immersive, community-driven experience.
Oddessemania Private Limited, co-founded by Prasurjya Talukdar and Prantika Sarma, is not just a travel startup; it is the heartbeat of authentic travel in India’s remotest corners. With the launch of their groundbreaking extension, GuidePe, they have redefined what it means to travel, explore, and connect.
Let’s explore the story of Oddessemania, including their vision, the launch of GuidePe, and future developments that promise to change the tourism experience in India.
Outline of the Story
How Oddessemania Was Born in the Heart of Assam
The story began in 2019, when a group of friends—backpackers at heart—embarked on a journey through Bomdila and beyond, covering 48 unexplored baums (villages). Their exposure to the cultural vacuum in digital tourism platforms planted the seed for something disruptive.
By 2020, the startup officially registered, and a core team of 11-12 passionate explorers took on the challenge of digitizing rural and experiential tourism. With nothing but a small website and a belief in meaningful storytelling, they began building what would soon become India’s most visited regional travel platform.
From Assam to All of India: Scaling a Community-Driven Ecosystem
Oddessemania’s philosophy was simple—don’t sit and wait; build what people need. And they did just that. Their journey accelerated in April 2021 when Assam Tourism recognized their potential and collaborated with them to launch a specialized guide booking platform. This marked the inception of GuidePe—a first-of-its-kind initiative where travel meets technology and trust.
From Assam to Uttarakhand and Himachal, their platform now allows travelers to book verified local guides, curate itineraries, and access minute details about destinations, all while supporting grassroots tourism economies.
Also read: Finderbridge: A startup founded with scholarship money to be a top tourism brand in Northeast India
GuidePe: India’s First Guide Booking Platform
Launched with a mission to bridge the gap between local knowledge and travelers’ curiosity, GuidePe empowers local guides by removing traditional roadblocks:
● No commission fees from guides.
● Guides choose their own pay, ensuring dignity and sustainability.
● Visitors get access to real-time itinerary planning, local experiences, and community references.
● End-to-end assistance with transport, homestays, activities, and more.
Their platform offers personalized packages and the ability to filter by location, type of guide, and experience served. Whether you’re trekking in Tawang or rafting in Rishikesh, GuidePe connects you with those who know it best.
Business Model and Monetisation Strategy
Oddessemania has kept its core value intact: do not charge the community. Instead, they rely on performance marketing, brand collaborations, and B2B networks to drive revenue. Their major revenue stream comes from
● Luxury travel segments and international tourists from Singapore and other nations.
● Targeted Google and Meta ads, which performed exceptionally well in metropolitan hubs like Bengaluru, Pune, and Mumbai.
● Corporate tie-ups and institutional B2B sales for curated travel packages.
With 1.5 lakh organic visits via SEO, their content team—a small but efficient unit of 2-3 people—has managed to create one of the most optimized and frequently visited travel websites in India.
Year-on-Year Growth
Oddessemania’s success is a measure of curated strategy and execution. Their data-driven approach and community-first mindset have resulted in explosive growth:
● 2019 – ₹45 Lakhs revenue
● 2022 – ₹1.6 Crores
● 2023 – ₹8 Crores
● 2024 – ₹12 Crores
● 2025 – Projected to cross ₹30-40 Crores
As of 2023, the company had a valuation of ₹10 crores, with the founders boldly stating, “We’re okay making mistakes, as long as we’re investing in long-term impact.”
Overcoming Tourism Challenges in Northeast India
Breaking into Northeast India was no simple feat. The company faced several challenges:
- Geographical Constraints—Remote terrain made logistics and operations extremely difficult.
- Budget Constraints—Community funding was scarce; they had to bootstrap and iterate constantly.
- Customer Mindset—Changing urban travelers’ perception of the Northeast required relentless storytelling.
- Guide & Safety— Finding a local guide for remote destinations was not accessible and safety for travelling to remote terrain was a big fear for tourists.
Yet, their hyperlocal strategies, boots-on-the-ground operations, and deeply connected stakeholder networks helped them overcome these hurdles. Today, they boast a presence in every major northeastern village where travel potential remains untapped.
From Assam to Delhi: Setting Up HQ
Oddessemania spent its first four years in Assam, nurturing the startup through trials and triumphs. Once the model proved successful, they expanded operations and established their headquarters in Delhi, bringing North-East India closer to the mainland’s corporate ecosystem.
Their Delhi office now acts as
● A hub for B2B negotiations
● A studio for storytelling and digital production
● An engine for national and international marketing campaigns
Tech-First Approach to Human-Centric Travel
Oddessemania’s strength lies in its technological backbone that supports human connections. Their platform is not just a booking site—it’s a storytelling machine, a CRM for local guides, and an event engine rolled into one.
They integrate:
● WhatsApp-based bookings
● User-generated content from past travelers
● Social media funnels via Instagram and GuidePe Insta handle XF6
● AI-led trip recommendations based on preferences
Building a Community, Not Just a Business
Oddessemania’s biggest win? The community of guides, travelers, and operators they’ve built. Their mission isn’t just about bookings—it’s about preserving culture, supporting livelihoods, and redefining how India explores India.
● Reference groups for guides ensure quality and trust.
● Operations, sales, and customer support are streamlined with shared responsibility.
● Stakeholders include homestay owners, local artisans, and tribal elders, each playing a role in the ecosystem.
They’ve shown that travel is no longer about luxury—it’s about legacy.
The Road Ahead: What’s Next for Oddessemania and GuidePe
With big goals ahead, Oddessemania plans to:
● Expand to pan-India guide services.
● Introduce VR- and AR-based experiences for pre-travel exploration.
● Launch a self-guided experience category.
● Partner with international travel forums to bring global attention to Indian hidden gems. They are also actively engaging with state tourism boards for collaborative platforms and training modules for guides, elevating both the experience and professionalism of rural tourism.
