Global Hotel Alliance, The Leela and Minor Hotels Showcase India As a Thriving Hub for Luxury Hospitality

With India’s luxury travel market expanding, Global Hotel Alliance and its two properties—The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, and Minor Hotels—have reiterated their dedication to this sector by launching new initiatives to enhance the nation's upscale hospitality offerings.

India is a key development market for GHA, with GHA DISCOVERY loyalty programme membership in the country growing by 18% in 2024 to 623,000 members. The Leela and Minor Hotels are tapping into this demand with new luxury offerings appealing to high-end Indian travellers.

In a significant change, international spending by Indian GHA DISCOVERY members reached 54%, exceeding domestic revenue at 46% for the first time. Thailand, the UAE, and Singapore emerged as the leading international destinations.

This week in Delhi, the Indian travel market’s considerable growth potential was underscored at two events, where GHA presented recent research, and The Leela along with Minor Hotels shared their market strategies and development plans.

During the Skift India Forum on March 18, Chris Hartley, CEO of GHA, and Anuraag Bhatnagar, CEO of The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, explored how luxury hotel brands are evolving to meet India’s growing appetite for premium experiences. The following day, at a press briefing at The Leela Palace in New Delhi, Hartley, Bhatnagar, and Dillip Rajakarier, CEO of Minor Hotels, highlighted India’s expanding influence on global travel and luxury hospitality. Their discussions addressed key trends including shifting guest preferences, the impact of loyalty programs, and the future of ultra-luxury hospitality.

Introducing The Leela’s new ultra-luxury concept: Arq by The Leela

The Leela Palaces, Hotels, and Resorts consistently redefine luxury by unveiling Arq at Pichola—an exclusive series of ultra-luxury villas crafted for a distinguished global clientele. Launching at The Leela Palace Udaipur, Arq features a range of unique lodgings that combine Indian heritage with contemporary elegance. This development correspondingly meets the rising expectations of wealthy travelers from India and around the world searching for bespoke, luxurious experiences.

Minor Hotels expands in India with Anantara’s Debut

Minor Hotels debuted in the Indian market in November 2024 with the opening of Anantara Jewel Bagh Jaipur, its first luxury hotel. This exquisite retreat marks the beginning of a strategy to introduce 50 new properties across India over the next decade. With outbound travel from India projected to exceed 50 million trips by 2030, Minor Hotels is strategically positioned to capitalize on this demand with its luxury and premium brands, including Anantara Hotels & Resorts, Avani Hotels & Resorts, and NH Collection.

Luxury travel and loyalty in India

India boasts a record number of GHA hotel rooms, reaching almost 3,400 in 2024, driven by increasing demand for luxury accommodations nationwide.

Recent market research indicates that the alliance’s investment in India goes beyond its hotel brand footprint. GHA DISCOVERY, now home to over 30 million travelers globally, is crucial in influencing high-end travel trends. Indian members actively engage with GHA’s ‘Signature Luxury’ hotels, where premium experiences, room upgrades, and the DISCOVERY Dollars (D$) rewards system are among the most cherished perks.

With inbound travel to India booming, the nation continues attracting affluent travellers, predominantly from the US, UK, and Australia, the top source markets. The synergy between The Leela and Minor Hotels within GHA’s network places them at the forefront of the luxury hospitality surge in India.