• Aviral Gupta, with Zo World since 2014, becomes the new CEO.
• Co-founder Dharamveer Chouhan moves to chairman role to focus on strategy and global expansion.
• Leadership shift aligns with Zo World's growth in travel, tech, and creator-led communities.

Zo World, the holding company of hostel chain brand Zostel, has announced a leadership changeover co-founder Dharamveer Singh Chouhan steps down to become chairman, and Aviral Gupta becomes the CEO.

The development comes as the travel-tech and community platform is accelerating expansion in India and Southeast Asia. The company is expanding into technology, lifestyle, and creator-led community segments.

One of the founding team's core members, Gupta started at Zostel in 2014 and has served in positions such as Chief Strategy Officer and Head of HR. His work has ranged across hostel operations, product development, financial planning, and community building.

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"Zo World was never just about destinations it's been about people and purpose," Gupta stated. "To lead this next chapter of hyperscale growth and impact is a thrilling challenge."

The firm now seeks to enhance unit economics, develop new sources of revenue, and scale its community-driven experiences worldwide.

Chouhan, who founded Zostel in 2013 along with his brother and has run it for more than a decade, will concentrate on longer-term strategy, international growth, and institutionalizing the core philosophy of Zo World. "It's time for me to zoom out and see the larger picture," he said. "Aviral has been the quiet force behind Zo's success and is the right person to take this to the next stage.

The change in leadership also comes with a legal evolution: The Supreme Court recently rejected Zostel's appeal against a May 2025 Delhi High Court ruling that set aside a 2021 arbitral award in favour of OYO. The case goes back to a 2015 failed acquisition agreement for ZO Rooms, which was previously owned by Zostel. The courts have held that the agreement was unenforceable and non-binding.

In spite of the legal hiccup, Zo World is committed to expanding its products for digital-first, community-led travel audiences with Gupta in command and Chouhan leading the overall vision.