“LUXURY IS NOT just about big rooms, marble floors or three swimming pools. It has to come from the location where the property is—the ability of the owner to provide to the guest, the best of the culture of the place where the hotel is located,” says Laurent Gardinier in his French drawl.
The newly appointed President of Relais & Châteaux was in Sri Lanka recently where over two days he met 20 Indian, Sri Lankan and Thai hotel managers, chefs and owners—just some of the representatives of the 580 luxury hotels and restaurants that are members of the France-based global non-profit association.
The luxury hotel business has returned in full force after three years of the Covid-19 pandemic. According to an EY report, in the US, revenue per available room (RevPAR) was up 8.1 per cent in 2022 from 2019, and Europe was up 6.1 per cent for the same period. In India, the RevPAR in June 2023 was 25-27 per cent higher than June 2019, per the Hotels and Hospitality Overview by HVS Anarock, an international hospitality consultancy.
With both international and domestic tourists being back—and not just in India but across the globe—Gardinier says 2022 was a record year for most association members. “There has been a change in the way people in the luxury category are travelling. They are travelling in smaller groups, with just friends or family and are looking for smaller properties and unique experiences, away from bustling crowds,” says Gardinier, in effect describing a typical Relais & Châteaux property, such as Cape Weligama on the southern coast of Sri Lanka, which offers 39 suites and villas up on a cliff.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
"Focus on the challenge of each customer"
SHASHANK KUMAR MD & CO-FOUNDER I RAZORPAY Razorpay is India's first full-stack financial solutions company
PEDAL ON THE FUTURE
THE MG WINDSOR EV, WITH ITS FUTURISTIC AND MINIMALIST DESIGN, COMBINES THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS-COMFORT AND TECHNOLOGY
BREATHE EASY
Whether you're battling allergies, looking to remove pollutants, or simply want to breathe easier, the right air purifier can make a difference
The Taste of India in a Glass
FROM ROYAL LIQUEURS TO DISTILLED MAHUA, INDIAN HERITAGE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ARE HAVING THEIR DAY IN THE SUN
LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP
IN 2025, INVESTORS WILL NEED TO FACTOR IN VOLATILITY ACROSS ASSET CLASSES
MISSING ADVISORS
INDIA HAS JUST ONE INVESTMENT ADVISOR FOR NEARLY EVERY 200,000 INVESTORS. AT A TIME WHEN RETAIL PARTICIPATION IN THE STOCK MARKETS IS BOOMING, THIS ASSUMES SIGNIFICANCE
TURNING A CORNER
SHARED ELECTRIC MOBILITY START-UP YULU'S SHIFT TO SERVICING THE QUICK COMMERCE SECTOR IS HELPING IT GROW FAST. IT IS NOW FOCUSSING ON IMPROVING ROAD SAFETY FEATURES AS IT TURNS EBITDA POSITIVE
REALITY CHECK
INDIAN STOCK MARKETS PLUNGED BEGINNING OCTOBER FOR A HOST OF REASONS, INCLUDING A FALL IN FII OWNERSHIP. HOW DEEP WILL THE CORRECTION BE?
TRUMP'S TRADE TANGO
The return of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the US has put the global economy on edge. India, too, is unlikely to remain unaffected. How will policymakers meet this latest challenge?
"The essence of the Trump administration will be transactional”
Global investor, analyst, and best-selling author Ruchir Sharma decodes why Donald Trump won the elections, what India should do, the risks, and more