Skift India Summit Video: Destination India – Emerging Hospitality Trends

This sponsored content was created in collaboration with a Skift partner.

In this video:

• How India has evolved to play an increasingly important role in the global tourism industry, driven by rising outbound and inbound travel, as well as a strong domestic tourism sector.
• Strategies for enhancing guest experiences through personalization, cultural immersion, and unique offerings like the ceremonial rituals at The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts.
• Why the GHA Discovery loyalty program provides a differentiated advantage, showcasing a customer-first approach that caters to the evolving preferences of luxury travelers, including a focus on sustainability and authentic local experiences.

India’s travel market is expected to become the world’s fifth-largest outbound travel market by 2027. India’s strategic initiatives, including promoting domestic tourism, improving infrastructure, and leveraging digital advancements for travel planning and booking, have been crucial in driving this growth.

In this video from Skift India Summit 2024, Chris Hartley, CEO of GHA, and Anuraag Bhatnagar, CEO of The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, spoke with Carolyn Kremins, president of Skift, about their their strategic partnership and the vast potential of the Indian travel market. The session highlighted the significant role India plays in the global tourism landscape, with Chris Hartley sharing a memorable encounter with The Leela’s founder, Captain Krishnan Nair, who predicted India’s dominance in travel and tourism.

Hartley and Bhatnagar also explored current outbound, inbound, and domestic travel trends, the success and expansion of the GHA’s Discovery loyalty program across Indian hotels, the importance of personalizing guest experiences, and the unique positioning of the GHA Discovery loyalty program in attracting and retaining luxury travelers. Highlighting the program’s simplicity and value, Bhatnagar pointed out the seamless integration of luxury experiences that resonate with discerning travelers, such as The Leela’s exclusive ceremonial rituals and specialized amenities that embody the essence of Indian culture and hospitality. These initiatives underscore the partnership’s commitment to enhancing guest satisfaction and loyalty by delivering memorable and authentic experiences.

The discussion concluded on an optimistic note about the future of travel in India, with both leaders expressing enthusiasm for the country’s potential to significantly impact the global tourism industry.

This content was created collaboratively by Global Hotel Alliance and Skift’s branded content studio, SkiftX.