Charting the 2024 Course

Industry leaders share their vision of what the hospitality scene in India will look like this year.

PARVEEN CHANDER, EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT, SALES AND MARKETING, IHCL

"As we venture into 2024, the hospitality sector stands on the brink of a transformative era, marked by robust domestic demand and growth of travel infrastructure, shaping the hospitality landscape.

"A trend gaining considerable momentum is spiritual tourism in India, propelled by the country's rich cultural and spiritual heritage. This dovetails with the increasing preference for tailored itinerary planning services, catering to travellers seeking personalized, private tours that offer unique, experiential journeys.

"The growing awareness about the impending side effects of climate change will see an even bigger rise in eco-conscious travellers in the coming years, led by the younger generation of travellers. As travellers increasingly choose to decrease their ecological footprint, they can stay at one of The Indian Hotels Company (IHCL)'s many hotels, which are consistently phasing out singleuse plastic, like IHCL's first zero single-use plastic resort - Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Andamans - with sustainable practices inherent in its design and services.

"The wedding segment continues to be a significant revenue driver, with the growth observed in 2023 expected to persist into 2024.

"Inbound tourism is showing signs of a strong rebound, with figures poised to surpass those of FY 2019-20, particularly post the elections, as we anticipate an influx of international delegations. We are also witnessing the rise of new destinations like the North East, Central India, Lakshadweep, and the interiors of Kerala."

RANJU ALEX, AREA VICE-PRESIDENT, SOUTH ASIA, MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL

"The year 2024 represents a turning point in the hospitality sector, where innovation and experiences will be prioritized on the basis of the needs of the consumers.