The Rise Of Luxury Bespoke Travel

Indians are increasingly opting for luxury holidays that come bundled with not just opulent journeys and extravagant stays, but also unique, handpicked experiences.

- Satarupa Paul

Flying in a private chartered plane. A stay in a 7-star hotel or a villa with a private beach. A luxury train journey with stopovers at stunning locations in Switzerland. A traditional 10-course meal at a home in a remote Italian village or a tasting menu at one of the world’s most expensive restaurants. The list of choices that the world of luxury travel offers is expansive and diverse. And Indians are increasingly, eagerly diving into this world to sample travelling in extravagance like never before.

According to Karan Anand, Head of Relationships at Cox & Kings, the luxury travel market in India has a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.8 percent—one of the highest in Asia. “This is an outcome of the increasing willingness and spending capacity of India's large middle class,” Anand says. “Evolving travel motivation to experience new, far and secluded places with ease is one of the factors setting the growth pace in this business.”

The Indian luxury traveller is no longer shy of splurging on plush accommodation or of travelling in comfort and style, with all modern amenities to boot. They do not want anything less than the best, hence tailor-made itineraries and intricately designed holidays are becoming the norm, in which attention to detail is paramount and understanding the client’s needs and wishes is the first port of call.

SEE, FEEL, EXPERIENCE

The definition of luxury travel, though, has evolved amongst Indian travellers over the last few years. They do not just seek physical comfort; they want psychological enrichment and emotional gratification as well. Which is why many are opting for experiences instead of products— experiences that are unique, enriching and offer a sense of locality.