Born and raised in Tehran, Iran, Shireen Mehra first felt an inkling towards travel after working with Qatar Airways as an air hostess. After her own experiences, she founded "Women on Clouds" in 2009 with a vision to make it a 'go-to' company for women. Over the years, her company has maintained its momentum, and now she plans to expand internationally by opening multiple offices both within and outside India's borders.
In an exclusive conversation with Outlook Traveller, Shireen discusses how her company's primary focus is to offer women a complete and fulfilling travel experience while providing them with opportunities for personal growth.
Could you share with us the story behind the creation of Women on Clouds?
I created this group based on my personal experience with some of my female friends. As someone who is always on the move and seeking new experiences, I believe many women share my passion for travel but cannot make plans. Since the inception of our company, our trips have focused on staying active, creating challenges, learning, and discovering new things. Travel is a transformative experience that can help you discover yourself and reaffirm your strength.
Travel provides that much-needed adrenaline rush and offer an opportunity to learn about yourself by living away from the family. The confidence gained through these experiences is essential for women navigating their careers, marriages, and parenthood. More women must travel, as it allows them to challenge themselves and discover their true potential.
What sets Women on Clouds apart from other Indian travel companies?
We pride ourselves on pioneers in women's travel, setting ourselves apart from others in key ways. First, we strive to create a warm and hospitable environment, pampering our guests to the fullest extent possible so they don't have to worry about a thing while on our trips. Second, we welcome women from all backgrounds, whether homemakers, professionals, or elderly women, and ensure everyone feels comfortable and included. Third, only a few other travel groups in our area offer the same service and diversity.
Our range of trips caters to all age groups and interests, including adventure, trekking, leisure, and luxury packages. Moreover, we strive to be transparent and affordable, with mostly all-inclusive packages with no hidden costs. Safety is our top priority, and we never compromise on this aspect. Plus, we offer very competitive rates that are affordable for all segments.
But perhaps the best part about travelling with us is the sense of camaraderie and friendship that develops among our guests. We want everyone to feel comfortable and pampered as if they were travelling with close friends.
What is the central vision of your company?
Our travel experiences are designed to provide opportunities for meeting like-minded individuals and forging lasting friendships. We understand how difficult it can be to make friends as we age, which is why our platform, WOC, offers a networking space for women. In addition to travel, we also organize fun meetups such as yoga sessions, car workshops (where women can learn how to maintain their vehicles), cocktail and snack evenings, and more.
Tell us about the destinations you offer to your travel groups.
We offer a variety of trips, such as yoga and adventure, classic and budget-friendly trips, trekking, luxury trips, spa and relaxation trips, and other personalized and curated options. Our team has travelled to numerous destinations in India, including Ladakh, Kashmir, Sikkim, Kerala, Andamans, Nagaland, Kutch, Rajasthan, Manipur, and Meghalaya.
Our services cater to clients from India and abroad, including women from Oman, Dubai, Singapore, Malaysia, and other locations. We have also explored international destinations such as Bhutan, Turkey, Greece, Spain, Italy, Dubai, Vietnam, Thailand, and many others.