-KH News Desk (editorial1@imaws.org)
The Moustache Group of Hotels has announced the launch of its newest property in Gangtok, Sikkim, marking a significant step in its aggressive expansion strategy across India’s youth-travel market. The new facility, operating under the Moustache Hostels label, is designed to cater to the thriving traveler base in the Northeast region.
Launch Details and Expansion Strategy
The Gangtok opening reinforces Moustache’s position as one of India’s fastest-growing ecosystem-driven hostel chains and acts as a key launchpad for the brand’s Northeast strategy.
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Company: Moustache Group of Hotels (Operates three verticals: Luxuria, Select, and Hostels).
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Location: Gangtok, Sikkim (One of the most visited destinations in the Northeast, attracting over 1.6 million domestic travellers in 2023).
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Property Type: Backpacker Hostel (Under the Moustache Hostels label).
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Concept: Built to serve the energy of the region, combining culture, community, and adventure in one accessible, social, and traveller-first space.
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Target Audience: Youth-travel market and backpackers.
Future Growth and Vertical Strategy
The Group has outlined an ambitious expansion plan for its various hospitality verticals through 2028.
| Vertical | 2028 Expansion Target |
| Moustache Hostels | 40+ new hostels (Adding to the existing 18) |
| Moustache Select (Mid-budget F&B) | 50 new hotels |
| Luxuria by Moustache (Premium Stays) | 25 new properties |
| Total Group Target (by 2028) | 100+ new properties |
| Target Revenue (by 2028) | ₹200+ crore |
| Hostel Contribution to Revenue | Approximately 11% |
Upcoming Hostel Focus Regions: Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.
Potential Northeast Destinations: Shillong and Cherrapunji (Meghalaya), Pelling and Yuksom (Sikkim), Tawang (Assam), Dimapur (Nagaland), and Ziro (Arunachal).
Abhishek Khandelwal, Founder and Director, Moustache Group of Hotels, explained the choice of location: “Gangtok is one of the most visited destinations in the Northeast… For Moustache, Gangtok offered the right launchpad for this region because it brings culture, community, and adventure into one place. We see a thriving traveller base here and this hostel is built to serve that energy.”
Deepak Agarwal, Founder and Director, detailed the brand’s commitment to the Northeast: “The Northeast is core to our long-term strategy. We are actively exploring Shillong and Cherrapunji… Tawang… Dimapur… and Ziro… These locations have a growing backpacker culture which makes them a natural fit for Moustache Hostels.”
