About
Suchan and Sachina Sharma, the faces behind the travel brand 'The Travelling Duo,' have built a career on navigating the world. But their most consequential journey has been a professional one, charting a course from a part-time hobby to a full-fledged media company, complete with international brand deals, a significant public controversy, and a growing family. With the recent birth of their third child, Anaya, in April 2024, the duo is once again at a pivotal juncture, poised to redefine their brand in the ever-shifting landscape of digital content creation.
The Travelling Duo: History and Growth
The story begins not in an exotic locale, but at a university event in Kathmandu in 2012, where the pair first met. Suchan Sharma, born February 12, 1991, in Kathmandu, and Sachina P. Sharma, born June 5, 1993, in Pokhara, are both of Nepalese ethnicity. After marrying in 2016, they pursued conventional careers; Suchan, who stands at 5'11", worked as a software developer, while Sachina was a marketing associate.
Their entry into content creation was modest. In 2017, they launched a blog under the name "NepalNomads," a passion project dedicated to documenting their travels. The initial content was firmly rooted in budget-friendly explorations of South Asia. The endeavor remained a side project until the fourth quarter of 2018, when they made the leap to become full-time creators. This commitment was followed by a strategic rebrand in 2019 to "The Travelling Duo," a name calculated for broader international appeal. The move paid off. That same year, they received the "Breakthrough Travel Blogger of the Year" award at the prestigious South Asian Travel Awards (SATA), cementing their status as rising stars.
The Travelling Duo Content and Style
The SATA award marked the beginning of a significant transformation. In early 2020, the duo deliberately shifted their content focus away from their budget roots toward the lucrative luxury and adventure travel sectors. This pivot was accompanied by a marked increase in production value, with their YouTube channel becoming a showcase for cinematic vlogs that emphasized cultural deep dives and authentic local experiences over simple travelogues.
Their personal lives began to shape their content's direction in a new way after 2022, as they integrated their first two children into their travels, evolving into the family travel niche. The birth of their daughter, Anaya, in April 2024, has again put their content strategy in flux, with followers anticipating a new chapter that incorporates a family of five.
How The Travelling Duo Makes Money
Behind the polished vlogs lies a carefully constructed business. The duo's primary revenue engine is their YouTube channel, supported by a strong presence on Instagram and TikTok. Monetization is diversified across YouTube AdSense, direct brand sponsorships, and affiliate marketing through platforms like Amazon Associates and Booking.com.
To formalize their operations, they registered 'T.T.D. Media Pvt. Ltd.' in Nepal in 2020. An analysis of the corporate records reveals a detail that sets them apart from many influencer couples: an uncommon 70/30 ownership split, with Suchan holding the majority share. This structure deviates from the more typical 50/50 partnership often seen in similar creator-led businesses.
Their brand extends beyond digital content. In 2021, they launched "Duo-Wear," a proprietary line of travel apparel. This was followed in 2022 by a successful retail collaboration with the brand "Himalayan Gear" for a limited edition backpack.
The Travelling Duo's Collaborations
The Sharmas have cultivated a robust network within the global travel industry. Sachina, in particular, has taken on an official role as an Ambassador for "Women in Travel," an advocacy group focused on female empowerment within the sector. Their influence has attracted high-profile partnerships with the national tourism boards of both Switzerland and Japan. Their most significant commercial collaboration is a multi-year brand deal with Cathay Pacific Airlines, a partnership that underscores their value to major international corporations.
The Travelling Duo: Public Reception and Controversies
The duo's ascent has not been without turbulence. A 2021 video series filmed in a remote village in Western Nepal sparked a major controversy, leading to accusations of "poverty tourism." The criticism was led by prominent Nepali journalist Ramesh Giri, who publicly accused them of "exploiting stereotypes for foreign clicks." The backlash was a severe test for the brand. In response, the Sharmas issued a formal public apology and permanently removed two videos from the series. Analysis frames this incident as a "critical turning point," prompting a noticeable shift in their content towards more culturally sensitive and nuanced storytelling.
They faced a smaller-scale issue in 2023 over an Instagram post that failed to initially disclose its sponsored nature. Following public criticism, the post was quickly amended with an #ad hashtag.
The Travelling Duo: Philanthropy
In the wake of their 2021 controversy, the Sharmas launched a philanthropic arm to their brand. Their "Travel for a Cause" initiative, started in 2022, saw them partner with the non-profit organization "Education for All Nepal" (EFAN). Through this collaboration, they funded and distributed 1,000 "school kits" — each containing a backpack, stationery, and textbooks — to children in remote regions of the country.
The Travelling Duo Today
Currently on a temporary content hiatus to focus on their newborn daughter, Anaya, Suchan and Sachina Sharma have already announced their intended return. They plan to resume creating content in the third quarter of 2024, signaling a new strategic direction focused on "slow, sustainable family travel." This next evolution for 'The Travelling Duo' will test their ability to adapt their well-oiled media business to the logistics of a five-person family.