Camping Co: Heena Manav Redefines Sustainable Tourism with India's First Overlanding Platform
In the pristine landscapes of Northeast India, where the mountains touch the clouds and nature remains largely untouched, a revolution in travel is taking place. Heena Manav, the co-founder and CEO of Camping Co, is pioneering a model of tourism that doesn't just show you the nature—it protects it. By introducing India's first overlanding platform, she's proving that adventure and sustainability can go hand-in-hand.
Heena's journey from a high-flying role at Uber to a solo entrepreneurial trek into the heart of the Northeast is a testament to the power of following one's passion. Her vision is simple yet profound: to create a desirable travel product that fulfills every traveler's need for comfort while ensuring that the destination remains as pristine as it was before they arrived.
The Sustainable Mandate
Traditional mass tourism often destroys the very ecosystems it seeks to showcase. Camping Co bypasses the need for brick-and-mortar infrastructure by using "overlanding vehicles"—vehicles equipped with luxury rooftop tents—allowing travelers to stay in nature without leaving a permanent footprint.
The "Aha" Moment: From Uber to the Mountains
The idea for Camping Co was born in 2015 when Heena moved to Guwahati to help launch Uber in the region. Immersed in the breathtaking beauty of Assam, Meghalaya, and Arunachal Pradesh, she noticed a glaring gap. While the nature was mind-blowing, the infrastructure for travel was either non-existent or followed a destructive "brick-and-mortar" hotel model seen in other parts of India.
"We actually got a clean slate," Heena recalls. "We knew this place was going to grow, and we wanted to be at the forefront of bringing about that revolution." She envisioned a self-sufficient vehicle that would allow travelers to stay anywhere they liked, right in the heart of nature, without requiring permanent construction.
The Innovation: Overlanding and Community Synergy
Camping Co isn't just about renting cars; it's a holistic travel experience. They provide rugged vehicles equipped with memory foam mattresses and luxury rooftop tents, alongside curated circuit recommendations. These circuits lead travelers to private lands and rural settings, creating an income stream for local communities who act as campsite owners.
The Camping Co Implementation Strategy
- Design & Safety: Building a scalable vehicle design that everyone could experience safely.
- The Pilot (2017): Testing the product with a single vehicle while Heena was still working at Uber.
- Market Validation: Using existing platforms like Airbnb to test demand before building their own booking infrastructure.
- Community Building: Partnering with over 150 campsites to ensure proper waste disposal and local involvement.
Scaling through Resilience
The transition to full-time entrepreneurship in 2018 was a leap of faith. Coming from a background where the primary motivation was "to earn money," Heena had to convince her family that leaving a stable job was the right move for her growth. "I gave myself a deadline of a year," she says. "If it doesn't do well, then we'll see. But I really want to take that risk."
That risk paid off. By 2019, the business was self-sustainable and growing. Even when the pandemic hit, Camping Co pivoted its communication to highlight its core strength: it is the safest travel option available. Since the vehicles are self-sustained and operate in low-contact areas far from crowded cities, they were ranked by medical associations as the safest activity during the pandemic.
Camping Co by the Numbers
- 150+ Campsites: A vast network across India providing safe and sustainable stay options.
- 7 States Covered: Comprehensive coverage of the Northeast Indian "Seven Sisters."
- Zero Footprint: A focus on low-emission activities and bringing waste back to cities for disposal.
The Future: Beyond the Northeast
While the pandemic put expansion plans on hold, Heena's vision remains expansive. She plans to take the Camping Co model to North and South India, creating a nationwide network for sustainable overlanding. Her ultimate goal is to build advanced technology that facilitates sustainable tourism at scale, proving that adventure doesn't have to come at the cost of the environment.
Advice for Future Founders
Look for your passion and then look for a problem within that passion. If you build solutions that are sustainable and respect the balance between man-made ecosystems and nature, your business will stand the test of time.
Key Takeaways
- Asset-Light Infrastructure: Use mobile infrastructure (vehicles) to avoid the ecological impact of permanent buildings.
- Community Integration: Empower local landowners to become stakeholders in the tourism economy.
- Communication Pivot: In times of crisis (like a pandemic), highlight the intrinsic safety and isolation of outdoor travel.
- Resilience Over Comfort: Be willing to step out of a stable 9-to-5 to build something that adds value to society and your own skill set.
About the Guest
Heena Manav is the Co-founder and CEO of Camping Co. With an MBA and a background in scaling operations at Uber, she left the corporate world to redefine tourism in India. She is a dedicated nature lover committed to building a sustainable future for the travel industry, focusing on low-impact, high-adventure experiences.
Camping Co is India's premier overlanding platform, providing customized outdoor travel solutions. By combining vehicle rentals with a network of eco-friendly campsites, Camping Co enables travelers to explore the hidden gems of India without compromising on comfort or conservation.