We recently had an insightful conversation with Zaid Ameen, Founder of GoKite Travel and Tours, a multinational company offering global visa and holiday services. Passionate about travel, Zaid’s love and curiosity for exploring new places led him to build GoKite, which offers services in more than 150 countries. By blending technology with a human touch, GoKite offers transparent and seamless travel experiences while crafting locally relevant solutions to cater to the people living in the regions. A visionary leader in the field, Zaid Ameen is redefining the travel experience while helping grow a strong ecosystem of travel entrepreneurs, making him a shining example for aspiring professionals to come.
The Beginning
We started the session by asking, “Reflecting on your journey, what inspired you to start in your current industry, and what was a defining moment early in your career?”
Zaid Ameen shared, “Reflecting on my journey, it all began with a deep passion for travel at the age of 16. What started as curiosity quickly became a calling—one that inspired me to build something meaningful in the travel space. That passion laid the foundation for what is now GoKite Travel and Tours, a multinational company offering global visa and holiday services across 150+ countries, with over 10 million customers and over 5,000 agent partnerships worldwide with more than 400 employees to help the customers.
A defining moment early in my career was realizing the power of combining human connection with technology. It showed me that travel is not just about destinations, but about experiences made smoother through innovation. That moment shaped the way I built GoKite and the values we stand for. Beyond business, I’ve focused on mentorship, supporting former team members in launching their own ventures and helping grow a wider ecosystem of travel entrepreneurs. That, to me, is success with impact.”
Navigating through Challenging Phases
Challenges are an inevitable part of every business. So, we requested Zaid Ameen to throw light on the toughest challenges in his career path and how he overcame them.
Zaid Ameen explained, “One of the biggest challenges we face is competing with the faceless online providers offering low prices but no accountability. We overcame this by prioritizing transparency, building trust through clear communication, reliable service, and real human support. We expanded in the UAE and currently have our presence in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah.
We have recently expanded to Oman. Tapping into a new market brought a fresh challenge as the region has unique cultural expectations and a business environment. So, instead of copy-pasting our model, we listened, adapted, and built locally relevant solutions to cater to the people living there. Disrupting traditional travel agencies was never easy, but by blending tech with a human touch, we proved that digital-first doesn’t have to mean impersonal. We showed that innovation can deliver better value, without losing the warmth of personal service.”
Dynamics of the Travel Sector: GoKite’s Adaptable Approach to Evolving Needs
We further asked, “Given the rapid evolution in your industry, what major trends do you see shaping the future, and how is your company preparing for them?”
“We’re seeing major shifts in how people travel. Today’s travelers want more personalized, experience-led trips rather than standard packages. There’s also a growing demand for sustainable travel, and tech is playing a big role in simplifying everything—from visa applications to itinerary planning.
We’re adapting by creating custom experiences, offering eco-friendly options, and enhancing our digital platforms to make travel seamless. With trends like remote work, cruise tourism, and offbeat destinations on the rise, we’re focused on staying flexible and future-ready to meet the evolving needs of modern travelers,” Zaid added.
Plans we asked Zaid Ameen
To gather Zaid Ameen’s perspective on taking the company to new heights, we inquired about his plans for GoKite.
Zaid Ameen responded, “At GoKite Travel and Tours, our aspiration is to be the most trusted and accessible travel partner across the region—making travel feel effortless, not overwhelming. We aim to grow as a one-stop destination for all travel needs—from global visas to holiday packages, flight bookings to personalized destination support.
To achieve this, we’re focused on a customer-first strategy. That means delivering tailored solutions, maintaining 24/7 support, and staying closely connected through digital platforms that build long-term trust. We believe in walking every step of the journey with our clients—and that philosophy guides everything we do.
With 20 offices across India, the UAE, and Oman, we’re strengthening our regional presence while expanding our global network. We also engage actively in key travel industry events to stay ahead of trends, forge stronger partnerships, and meet our customers face-to-face.
Looking forward, we’ll continue investing in personalized service, relevant content, and community engagement—so that every journey with GoKite is smooth, memorable, and built on trust.”
Revolutionizing the Travel Industry with AI
AI and emerging technologies are transforming businesses. We posed the question, “How do you see these changes affecting your industry, and how is your company adapting?”
Zaid Ameen reflected, “AI and emerging technologies are reshaping the travel industry, and at GoKite, we see this as an opportunity to elevate the entire travel experience. We plan to automate visa processing and indulge in smart itinerary planning. Also, we are planning AI-powered customer support, because these technologies are making travel faster, more personalized, and more efficient. At the same time, we know the importance of great relations with the customers is the backbone of the business, so we always encourage walk-ins.
At GoKite, we’re embracing this shift by enhancing our digital platforms to offer smoother booking, real-time updates, and customized travel suggestions. Additionally, by integrating AI into customer service, we will ensure quick responses and accuracy, while by using data insights, we will personalize packages based on preferences, travel history, and trends of the travelers.
We believe that technology should support human connection, not replace it. So while we’re upgrading our tools, we’re also keeping our human-first approach intact, ensuring that every trip still feels personal, reliable, and well taken care of.”
Values Behind GoKite
Intrigued to learn more about the leading forces of the company, we requested Zaid Ameen to share more about the guiding principles or core values that impact GoKite’s success.
“At GoKite, our journey has always been guided by a strong commitment to putting the customer first. We believe that trust, transparency, and personalized care are the foundations of a lasting relationship, which is why we ensure to give relevant advice from our travel experts. Innovation plays a key role in how we evolve—constantly embracing new technology to simplify travel. But above all, it’s our genuine passion for travel and reliability in service that continue to drive our success and help us deliver memorable experiences, every time,” Zaid replied.
Setting Apart from the Competition
Intrigued to learn more about the unique approaches adopted by GoKite, we further asked, “Could you share an innovative strategy or approach that has recently helped your company stand out in a competitive market?”
Zaid Ameen added, “One innovative approach that has helped us stand out in a competitive market is our hybrid customer experience strategy. While many companies are shifting entirely towards AI and automation, we believe that true innovation lies in balancing smart technology with a human touch. Our entire booking process is fully automated for maximum convenience, but we don’t let technology become a barrier.
We empower our customers to choose how they want to engage, whether it’s through a phone call, a text, or by walking into our office. Regardless of the channel, we ensure a consistent, high-quality experience. This flexible and customer-first approach has not only enhanced satisfaction but also strengthened trust and loyalty in a market where personalization and accessibility truly set businesses apart.”
A People-focused Leader
With changing market requirements, industry leaders adapt and evolve with them. We asked Zaid Ameen, “How has your leadership philosophy evolved over the years, particularly in light of the technological advancements and disruptions in your industry?”
“Our leadership philosophy at GoKite has evolved to become more adaptive, forward-thinking, and people-focused. In an industry constantly reshaped by technology and disruption, we’ve learned that the key to progress lies in embracing change rather than resisting it. Where earlier leadership meant ensuring smooth operations, today it’s about fostering innovation, encouraging agility, and empowering teams to make decisions quickly and confidently.
We now lead with a mindset of continuous learning—staying open to new tools, data-driven insights, and evolving customer behavior. Technology may have transformed how we work, but our core belief remains the same: people and purpose must always lead the way,” Zaid shared.
Follow Zaid Ameen on LinkedIn.
Find GoKite on LinkedIn and visit their website https://www.gokite.travel/
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