Dr. Jolly Antony: The Globetrotter Who’s Putting Kerala on the World Map

From a humble start to building a cross-continental empire, Dr Jolly Antony’s story is a testament to what unyielding passion, vision, and bold ambition can achieve.

Among the countless success stories of migrant Keralites who made it big abroad, Dr. Jolly Antony stands out as a trailblazer who dared to dream beyond borders. As the Founder and CEO of the UAE-based Al Safina Travel and Tourism, he has built a diverse business empire that spans Travel and Tourism, Hospitality, Wellness, E-commerce and Direct Selling, Farm Tourism, and Education. A true visionary, globetrotter, and storyteller, Dr. Jolly has journeyed through over 90 countries—not just collecting stamps on a passport, but forging strategies, relationships, and lasting impressions. Behind his impressive list of ventures lies the relentless spirit of a man who never allowed limits to define his ambition or inspiration.

From Wanderlust to Worldwide Impact

Dr. Jolly’s professional journey began with a strong foundation in Travel and Tourism, coupled with a decade of immersive industry experience that saw him rise to the position of General Manager. These formative years provided him with deep industry insight and prepared him for his entrepreneurial leap.

In 2005, he established Al Safina Travel and Tourism in the UAE — a venture that has since grown with multiple branches across the UAE and India.

However, his aspirations reached beyond conventional travel services. Having explored nearly 90 countries, Dr. Jolly realized that travel and hospitality are deeply interconnected. This global exposure sparked the idea for a broader vision — one that would redefine the meaning of travel through integrated experiences and global connectivity.

Reimagining Hospitality in God’s Own Country

When Dr. Jolly turned his attention toward Kerala, he did not see it as just home, but potential. In 2014, he launched The Fog Resort & Spa in Munnar, a four star deluxe resort that brings a new level of luxury to the scenic highlands. But he didn’t stop there. The success of this venture led to the creation of Vibe Munnar Resort and Spa, a private limited company, under his Chairmanship. A five-star deluxe property with its own helipad featuring 97 rooms, private pool villas, jacuzzi suites, deluxe rooms, biggest rooftop pool and 6000 sq.ft spa named Vibe Wellness. A symbol of his commitment to delivering once-in-a-lifetime experiences to those who are upwardly mobile and believe in fine living.

Hospitality, to him, is about emotions, not amenities. “We Sell Happiness” and “We Sell Memories” are not just taglines but philosophies that underpin every guest experience. With dedicated butler services and personalised attention, Dr. Jolly has crafted destinations that offer more than comfort—they offer connection, emotion, and magic. Dr Jolly believes in offering guests memories of a lifetime.

And now, he’s preparing for the launch of his third resort in Munnar—Zeus Resort & Spa, a game-changer with 106 keys, India’s first 8000 sq.ft 24/7 infinity pool and the largest resto-bar in Kerala, expected to open in September this year.

A Business Empire with Soul and Scale

Dr. Jolly’s business landscape is vast and diverse—but what connects all his ventures is a singular purpose: to elevate human experiences.

From the eco-luxury of The Fog and Vibe Munnar to the hi-tech e-commerce platform Growvia.Biz, he’s constantly identifying gaps in the market and building thoughtful solutions. His initiatives include:

• Kerala Farm: An organic farm tourism concept blending sustainability and experiential travel.
• Safina Holidays Pvt. Ltd: Bringing curated international travel experiences to Indian travellers.
• The Great Marina Mall, Kochi: A bold retail concept changing the shopping experience in the region.
• Good Shepherd College of Hotel Management and UrbX College, Kochi: Institutions built to train the next generation of hospitality leaders.
• Rani Drug House, Nellayi: A revival of authentic Ayurvedic healing with modern manufacturing precision.
• WRV Gold & Diamond: A unique cooperative model allowing gold leasing—a radical innovation in the jewellery sector.
• Novacera: A brand that manufactures tile glue, showing his reach even in construction materials.

His projects aren’t just businesses—they are ecosystems, interlinked and mutually empowering. Whether it’s digital commerce, education, wellness, or manufacturing, each venture feeds into a larger vision of inclusive growth and sustainability.

Building Networks That Empower

Dr. Jolly’s vision goes beyond building standalone businesses — he creates interconnected ecosystems that generate long-term impact. His ventures are not isolated efforts but collaborative platforms designed to empower communities and drive collective growth.

A prime example is the upcoming launch of www.growvia.biz on August 17, 2025, at Le Meridien, Kochi. Co-founded with six seasoned industry leaders, each with over 25 years of experience, this direct-selling and digital commerce platform aims to unlock scalable economic opportunities and foster entrepreneurship on a broad scale.

Likewise, as a Director of WRV Gold and Diamonds, Dr. Jolly is redefining the jewellery industry with its September 2025 launch. The venture introduces an innovative model where gold can be leased like real estate — offering a new path to financial empowerment and enabling everyday individuals to generate income through their assets.

Leadership Rooted in Empowerment and Balance

Though Dr. Jolly oversees 24 diverse business ventures, he ensures each one is independently strong. By setting up Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and empowered managerial teams, he balances his time between strategic guidance and personal well-being. He believes in complementary partnerships—choosing collaborators who fill in his gaps and vice versa. This method has not only sustained his long-term ventures but has also ensured growth with integrity and mutual respect. In short, the ability to empower and uplift the people he works with is one of his most outstanding managerial qualities.

Reaching for the Moon, Rooted in Love

Among Dr. Jolly’s many visionary pursuits, one truly stands out — his purchase of a plot on the moon through the Lunar Society of New York, making him the first Keralite to do so. For Dr. Jolly, this bold step isn’t just a novelty — it symbolizes the boundless reach of human ambition and his firm belief that no dream is too far when driven by purpose and passion.

Family: The Heart of His Journey

Behind every milestone Dr. Jolly has achieved stands a strong, supportive family. His wife, Mrs. Viji Jolly, is a postgraduate in Botany, a dedicated politician, social worker, and the Director of The Fog and Vibe Resorts. Her wisdom, resilience, and active involvement in both community and business life have been instrumental in shaping Dr. Jolly’s path.

Their three children — Juvana, a BBA student; Jovan, studying Psychology; and young Antonio, in Grade 5 — are his emotional foundation. With their unwavering support, Dr. Jolly has now stepped into a semi-active role, focusing solely on high-level strategic decisions. This shift allows him to prioritize time with his loved ones while continuing to shape his legacy.

Shaping the Future of Indian Tourism

Dr. Jolly’s global exposure gives him a unique lens on India’s tourism potential—and the gaps that need urgent attention. He cites how nations like Georgia and Armenia transformed their economies with simple tourism policies like visa-on-arrival for UAE residents. Being directly involved in tourism initiatives in these countries, he witnessed the transformation. For instance, Georgia had just five five-star hotels in 2010 and today the number stands at a whopping 400. He believes in harnessing the power of tourism and is optimistic about India leveraging it. He laments the fact that despite having unmatched assets—Ayurveda, mountains, backwaters, culture—there is very little proactive governmental support in infrastructure, accessibility, and traveller safety. He foresees India emerging as a global leader in Wellness and Spiritual Tourism with better policies and streamlined experiences.

Kerala’s Rising Edge: Wellness Retreats and Grand Wedding Destinations

To Dr. Jolly, wellness tourism isn’t just a trend — it’s a transformative movement. With ventures like Kerala Farm and Vibe Wellness, he is at the forefront of positioning Kerala as a global hub for preventive health and holistic experiences. As travelers increasingly seek healing, rejuvenation, and natural therapies, Kerala’s rich Ayurvedic heritage and lush landscapes offer the perfect canvas.

Dr. Jolly is aligning his resorts to meet this demand by blending luxury with time-honored wellness practices — creating immersive experiences that restore both body and soul.

Simultaneously, through his WedInIndia initiative, he’s setting his sights on turning Vibe Munnar into a leading big wedding destination. By merging Kerala’s natural charm with grand celebration experiences, he aims to redefine destination weddings in India’s most scenic state.

A Legacy of Impact Over Income

When asked what he considers his greatest achievement, Dr. Jolly doesn’t mention awards or profits. Instead, he says:

“If I’ve helped even one person upgrade their life—even in the smallest way—that is my success.”

From empowering individuals with no prior business experience, to creating job creators instead of job seekers, his focus has always been on upliftment. This mindset, he says, comes from his mother—a legacy of kindness, positivity, and resilience.

He sums it up beautifully: “An interviewer once asked me, ‘What exactly is your business?’ I replied, ‘My business is to keep many people in business.’”

A Visionary Leader Who Dares to Make a Difference

Dr. Jolly Antony is not just a travel magnate or hospitality pioneer—he stands as Kerala’s emblem of bold entrepreneurship, visionary thinking, and compassionate leadership. Whether it’s launching a helipad-equipped resort, pioneering a jewellery cooperative, or building an Ayurvedic production unit, his efforts are united by one powerful mission: to uplift and empower lives.

In an era where many chase personal success, Dr. Jolly Antony exemplifies a higher purpose—measuring true achievement by the positive impact created for others.

Pic Courtesy: pegasus photography/ images are subject to copyright