In one of Dubai’s four-star hotels, a travel outlet opened its door in 2006. Without any background in the business or service industry, its founders strived to arrange value-packed activities and tours to hotel guests. What began as a small venture has since blown into one of the UAE’s top destination management companies and a global brand with over 10 branches in different parts of the world. And this is the story of Rayna Tours in a nutshell.
The Life of Manoj Tulsani, Rayna Tours and Travel’s Founder
- Manoj Tulsani was born on August 14, 1978, in Ajmer, Rajasthan, the largest state in India.
- Manghu Tulsani is his father, Bharti Tulsani his mother, and Laveena Khanwani his sister.
- He had a modest upbringing until he completed his higher secondary from DAV Senior School in Ajmer and a graduation in commerce from the University of Mumbai.
- He married his wife, Rinki Tulsani, in 2006 and has a daughter, Rayna, and a son, Aryan.
Career Beginning of Manoj Tulsani
- He traveled to Dubai soon after his graduation when he was just 21.
- He started his career with Safeer Group of Companies as a marketing executive.
- He reached the zenith of his career while working with the Time Machine Group of Companies, where he became the head of marketing.
- The major turning point was when he decided to call his high-paid job quits and leap into the entrepreneurial world with nothing but his passion for travel and connecting with people, along with his friend and former colleague, Kamlesh Ramchandani. It marked the beginning of Rayna Tours and Travels in 2006.
The Rise of Rayna Tours and Travels
- Rayna Tours and Travels began its journey from a travel boutique inside Flora Grand Hotel, Dubai, with a clear vision to create a difference in the travel world. Despite the lack of enough funds and absence of a strong mentor, Rayna Tours, however, got noticed for its fresh concept of arranging tours and activities for the hotel guests.
- Following an expansion spree across Dubai’s popular hotels, Rayna Tours finally opened its main office in Abu Hail, Old Labour Office Building, establishing itself as a full-fledged destination and management company within three years of its launch.
- In less than a decade, Rayna Tours expanded its product line, eliminated hefty intermediaries from most of its services, and further took its products online, with its in-house technical service, Technoheaven Consultancy.
- Rayna Tours and Travels has also diversified its business to various domains like adventure cruise, real estate, etc., while operating Balloon Flights, Rayna Seacation, and Rayna Properties under Rayna Group.
- Besides Manoj Tulsani at the helm of operations, Rayna Tours has Mr. Senthil Velan as its CEO, Mr. Himanshu Laul as its Managing Director and Mr. Yasser Noman as its Chairman.
Achievements and Timeline
2006: Launch of Rayna Tours and Travels as a travel boutique
2009: Becomes active in both B2C and B2B verticals; Rayna Tours functions as an all-inclusive destination management company.
2010-2015: Dominates the industry!
2016: Receives the Certificate of Excellence Award from TripAdvisor and wins the title of Top Wholesaler (from Yas Island)
2018: The merge of Arabian Explorers with Rayna Tours and Travels and wins the prestigious Arabian Travel Awards in two categories: Best Destination Management Company and Best B2B Travel Portal.
2019: Relocates the company’s head office to a bigger and better facility at ACICO Business Park Building, Port Saaed Road, Deira
2020 – 2024: Massive expansion and diversification and received the prestigious TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award consecutively in 2020 and 2021.
Conclusion
Rayna Tours and Travels has built a remarkable legacy in the travel industry through hard work and determination. In other words, it remains as a testament to how one’s unwavering passion can drive a business to growth and success, even if they have zero resource or non-industry background.
