Inside India's luxury travel boom: Where heritage meets high-end hospitality
While 2024 held the promise of a tourism boom for India, a destination celebrated for its rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes and vibrant cities, international tourist arrivals have experienced a slower recovery post-pandemic. But there's one sector of the country's travel market that is booming, the realm of ultra-luxury.
Fuelled by a growing number of high-net-worth individuals and aspirational luxury travellers, the global luxury tourism sector is anticipated to grow from $239 billion (Dh877 billion approx.) in 2023, to an estimated $391 billion by 2028, according to McKinsey & Company. And as India's luxury travel market witnesses its share of this unprecedented growth, the nation is increasingly catering to the discerning desires of ultra-high-net-worth holidaymakers who are seeking exclusive, authentic and transformative experiences.
'India's luxury travel landscape is undergoing a beautiful transformation, where heritage meets modernity in the most immersive, meaningful way,' says Abhishek Dadlani, founder of Lushescapes, a UAE-based luxury travel brand.
Born and raised in Delhi, Dadlani has dedicated years to building Lushescapes, a company that promises travellers bespoke itineraries and unparalleled access to many of India's hidden treasures. With an intimate understanding of the Indian market, Dadlani believes the country's luxury travel boom is rooted in the transformative moments it offers.
'Today's India doesn't just offer five-star stays, it offers transformative moments in places that feel both grand and grounded. It's no longer just about where you stay, but how you're made to feel. India delivers that in ways that surprise even the most seasoned luxury traveller,' he tells KT Luxe.
More than a five-star stay
It's a sentiment that's mirrored in the recent unveiling of Arq by The Leela, a collection of ultra-luxury villas at The Leela Palace Udaipur, billed as the ultimate sanctuary for the global elite. Nestled along the tranquil shores of Lake Pichola, Arq elevates travellers' experiences with its hyper-personalised, albeit unoriginally named, 'Palace within a Palace' concept.
Spanning tailored programming, it encompasses everything from private culinary journeys with local chefs to Pichwai painting classes or exclusive opportunities to attend prayer rituals at the ancient Shiva temple. 'The launch of Arq at Pichola at The Leela Palace Udaipur represents our vision of reimagining luxury for the most discerning travellers,' said Shweta Jain, chief sales and marketing officer at The Leela.
'This isn't just another destination, it's a continuous ascent into the true essence of luxury, where every detail is designed to be a personal exploration of beauty, creativity, and indulgence.'
Travellers aspiring to a stay that is befitting of a modern-day maharaja can find their haven at Ran Baas, The Palace in Patiala, a Relais & Châteaux property housed within a meticulously restored palace that dates to the 18th century. Originally a royal guesthouse within a wing of Qila Mubarak, a sprawling ten-acre complex in Punjab that once housed the royal family, the property fell into disrepair after India's independence. Recently renovated by renowned Indian conservation architect Abha Narain Lambah, celebrated for her work on preserving India's architectural heritage, the hotel boasts many of the palace's original features with a design that integrates intricate wooden carvings, gilded frescoes, marble floors and silk carpets to create a royal retreat where guests are immersed in the splendour of bygone eras. Notably, the hotel holds the distinction of being Punjab's first luxury palace hotel and has rapidly gained popularity as a destination for weddings and discerning travellers seeking authentic Punjabi hospitality.
Mastering the art of anticipation
This unwavering focus on personalised service is a defining characteristic of several of India's elite accommodations. 'Service needs to be intuitive, as every single guest is unique,' Jaisal Singh, chief executive of Sujan, tells KT Luxe.
'Our ethos has always been to be genuine; our experiences are not contrived, but stem from our family's deep-rooted connection to the landscapes where our properties reside.' Beyond this, affluent travellers are seeking meaningful experiences and connections when they travel, adds Singh. 'People want to experience connection, be that to nature, to a landscape, culture, heritage, and with people.'
At Sujan's Jawai Leopard Camp, guests can look forward to expertly guided wildlife safaris that foster a deep connection with Rajasthan's dramatic granite hills and the region's elusive leopard population. Immersive cultural encounters with local Rabari tribesmen offer insights into their traditional way of life, offering travellers a unique human connection.
For another luxurious immersion in India's wildlife, the recently opened The Oberoi Vanyavilas Wildlife Resort in Bandhavgarh stands out. Situated adjacent to the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh, the resort is an ideal base for those looking to partkate in a private safari experience to get up close and personal with the Royal Bengal Tiger. The resort's architecture with its opulent communal spaces and sophisticated tented accommodations, thoughtfully reflects the region's rich cultural heritage, and blend seamlessly with the natural surroundings to enhance the sense of connection with the wilderness.
Making conscious choices
Luxury travel in India is also increasingly intertwined with a sense of responsibility. According to a 2023 report by Booking.com, 83 per cent of global travellers believe sustainable travel is vital. Several of India's most esteemed luxury establishments are championing eco-friendly practices. From the ITC Grand Chola in Chennai, a LEED Platinum-certified hotel utilising renewable energy and striving for net-zero carbon emissions, to Sujan's commitment to conservation across their properties through habitat restoration and community engagement, these examples underscore that luxury and environmental consciousness can coexist harmoniously.
'We are a brand rooted in a legacy of conservation and responsible, conscious travel. Guests who stay with us feel they're part of something meaningful and become invested in our vision. Through our conservation contribution, by simply choosing to stay with us, they know they are making a positive impact in the area,' says Jaisal Singh of Sujan.
Celebrating 25 years in Uttarakhand, the luxury wellness retreat Ananda in the Himalayas is reinforcing its commitment to the region by relaunching the Ananda Institute with the Ambuja Foundation. This provides vital hospitality and wellness training to local youth, especially women, creating sustainable career paths. Ananda's deep connection to nature is further highlighted by its new birdwatching activity and efforts to enhance local biodiversity, solidifying India's role in conscious luxury travel.
India's luxury travel landscape today transcends extravagance. Instead, it lies in the deeply personal and transformative experiences offered to holidaymakers, from intuitive service to a profound connection to nature, or an unwavering commitment to heritage. For the global elite who are seeking more than just a lavish getaway, India presents a compelling invitation to discover a destination where unparalleled luxury is imbued with genuine soul and lasting significance, and the opportunity to forge memories as rich and vibrant as the subcontinent itself.
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