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 many migrant Keralites who found success abroad, Dr. Jolly Antony stands out as a trailblazer who dared to dream beyond boundaries. As the Founder and CEO of UAE-based Al Safina Travel and Tourism, he has built a multifaceted empire spanning Travel and Tourism, Hospitality, Wellness, E-commerce and Direct Selling, Farm Tourism, and Education. A visionary, storyteller, and seasoned globetrotter, Dr. Jolly has journeyed through 90 countries—not just collecting stamps on a passport, but charting a path of dreams, strategic ventures, and meaningful global connections. Behind his impressive portfolio lies the relentless spirit of a man who never settled, constantly chasing ambition and inspiration without pause.
From Roots to Wings: The Beginning of a Global Vision
Dr. Jolly’s professional journey began with a solid academic background in Travel and Tourism, followed by a decade of hands-on experience that saw him rise to the position of General Manager. These formative years gave him deep industry insight and practical knowledge, setting the stage for his entrepreneurial leap. In 2005, he founded Al Safina Travel and Tourism in the UAE—a venture that has since grown to include multiple branches across the UAE and India.
However, Dr. Jolly’s aspirations went far beyond booking tickets and crafting itineraries. His travels across nearly 90 countries offered him a broader perspective—revealing that travel and hospitality are deeply interconnected. This realization became the catalyst for an even larger dream.
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 of Opportunity
Dr. Jolly’s ventures are never isolated initiatives—they are interconnected ecosystems designed to uplift communities and create lasting value. His upcoming platform, GrowVia, set to launch on August 17, 2025, at Le Meridien, Kochi, exemplifies this philosophy. Co-founded with six seasoned professionals, each with over 25 years of industry expertise, Growvia is more than just a direct-selling and digital commerce venture—it’s a collaborative mission to drive large-scale economic empowerment.
In a similar vein, his role as Director of WRV Gold and Diamonds, launching in September 2025, reflects his innovative thinking. This is not just a traditional jewellery business—it’s a financial empowerment platform. By introducing a model where individuals can lease gold like real estate, it enables everyday people to become asset-based entrepreneurs, turning their holdings into sources of income.
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 Stars, Grounded by Roots
One of Dr. Jolly’s most visionary gestures was acquiring a plot on the moon through the Lunar Society of New York — a historic first for a Keralite. More than a headline-making move, it symbolizes his unwavering belief in boundless possibilities and the power of dreaming big with purpose and intent.
Family: The Heart of His Horizon
At the core of Dr. Jolly’s dynamic journey is a deeply rooted support system — his family. His wife, Mrs. Viji Jolly, is a postgraduate in Botany, a politician, social worker, and the Director of The Fog and Vibe Resorts. Her active role across social and entrepreneurial fronts has been a continuous source of strength and guidance.
Their three children — Juvana, a BBA student; Jovan, a Psychology student; and Antonio, currently in Grade 5 — are his emotional compass. Today, Dr. Jolly has gracefully shifted into a semi-active leadership role, focusing on high-level strategy while prioritizing quality time with his loved ones — striking a fine balance between legacy and life.
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 Transform
Dr. Jolly Antony is far more than a travel entrepreneur or hospitality pioneer — he stands as Kerala’s global ambassador of innovation, a bold visionary, a builder of enduring legacies, and above all, a compassionate humanist. Whether it’s developing a helipad-equipped resort, launching a jewellery cooperative, or establishing an Ayurvedic manufacturing unit, his driving force remains constant: to uplift and empower lives.
In a world where many pursue personal success, Dr. Jolly Antony shows us that true impact is measured by the success we create for others.
Pic Courtesy: pegasus photography/ images are subject to copyright
