The Roads Less Travelled
According to a market study by TripAdvisor, as many as 44 per cent of travellers from India increased their travel spends in 2016. India is 18th in the global travel budget rankings, with an estimated average budget of $3,107, compared with the global average travel spend of $5,100. In terms of luxury travel, Indians are demanding curated experiences, itineraries planned by professionals and customised experiences. The honeymooners are exploring newer destinations, adventure seekers are exploring farther destinations and solo travellers are chasing daring destinations. Bottom line, Indian travellers are definitely going niche,” says Essa Sulaiman Ahmad, vice-president, India & Nepal, Emirates.
Indian luxury travellers today are looking beyond exotic retreats in seven-star hotels, caviars and limousine rides. They instead want an everlasting experience, to explore and cherish a place that is unique and unknown.
Read on to know how this specially curated list can inspire your next travel plan.
The Land Of Lannisters & Starks
If you are a fan of Game of Thrones, just as the greater half of the world population, you must have dreamt of going to Westeros, Braavos, Dorne and King’s landing. Travel agency, The Q Experiences, is organising a ‘Game of Thrones’ trip in 2018 covering all the major places where the HBO show has been shot, combined with a curated journey designed by the guests themselves.
Price: The trip on average will cost Rs 10 lakh per person.
Middle Earth
Experience the magical Hobbiton from The Lord of the Rings in New Zealand, or stay in a uniquely designed Boulder Garden Hotel carved out of a rock and set in the lush green jungle of Ratnapura district, Sri Lanka. Cox & Kings arranges many such exotic trips.
Price: The New Zealand package starts at Rs 1.50 lakh, and goes up to Rs 2.50 lakh. The trip to Sri Lanka costs between Rs 60,000 and Rs 1 lakh.
The White Continent
From the land of white walkers to that of Hobbits, luxury travellers can now also experience the far end of the world. An exclusive 11-day trip for 200 pax to the ice-crowned continent of Antarctica organised by The Q Experiences, is another top choice for luxury travellers. Starting at Ushuaia, Argentina on 9 December 2017, the travellers will be cruising through some of the most breathtaking glaciers of Neko Bay & Paradise bay, and visit the majestic Weddell Sea. “Michelin-star chef Atul Kochhar is on board curating the finest of Indian regional cuisine with Alain Ducasse,” says Vasim Shaikh, managing director of The Q Experiences.
Price: The average price of the trip to Antarctica is Rs 10 lakh per person.
Mobile Camping in India
It’s a trend on the rise! With the influx of social media, millennials are travelling in search of new experiences. “We curate experiences by integrating the local milieu. The itineraries focus on the community, culture, culinary delights and the conservation initiatives to keep the dying legacies alive. In Leh, one can rediscover ancient monasteries; join monks for an early morning prayer at the Thiksey Monastery; and experience the local culture at a Ladakhi hamlet in Stok Village,” says Rajnish Sabharwal, chief operating officer, The Ultimate Travelling Camp (TUTC). Travellers can also choose varied experience such as to watch a match of royal sport Ladakhi Polo played in the most dramatic landscape in the trans-Himalayas or go glamping to the Hornbill festival in Kohima amidst 16 tribes of Nagaland. There are super luxurious camps for a seamless camping experience at destinations nestled amidst undiscovered regions of India.
Price: A three nights/ four days package at the Champa Camp Thiksey, Ladakh starts at Rs 2,04,000 per tent, while a package of similar duration at Kohima Camp, Nagaland starts at Rs 4,02,000 per tent.
Luxury In The Middle of The Sea
Royal Caribbean International (RCI), Celebrity Cruise (CC), and Azamara Club Cruise offer amazing features on-board such as private villas, virtual balconies, rock-climbing wall, basketball court, ice-skating rink, mini-golf course, and 3D cinema. As per Ratna Chadha, CEO, TIRUN (India representative of RC, CC & Azamara Cruises), “Luxury travel is a perception and an experience, not a mass produced or mass consumed product. People expect maximum return during their luxurious sojourn, hence, our responsibility is to recognise that value and offer it on a sustainable basis with best premium experiences.”
Price: Average price range $100-$150 for RCI and CC and $200+ for Azamara Club Cruises
High Flying
Travelling in Emirates luxury includes first-class lounge wear, luxury blankets, skincare from VOYA and an amenity kit from Bulgari. “Emirates first and business class passengers are provided with specially commissioned luxury vehicles with chauffeurs, access to signature lounge with gourmet buffets, à la carte meals, and fresh juice bars,” says Ahmad of Emirates. Emirates A380, the world’s largest passenger airplane, is facilitated with onboard lounges with seating space along the windows on both sides of the bar, shower spas, private suites, flat bed seats and gourmet cuisine offered by world-renowned chefs. It also offers a stellar wine list to wow its guests.
Price: Mumbai to Zagreb (Emirates 1st class) Rs 162,160; Mumbai to Zagreb (Emirates business class) Rs 120,580.
The Growing Sector
Luxury travel is growing at an exponential rate. Over the next decade, Indian luxury travel is expected to outpace many other markets with a CAGR of around 12.8 per cent. “Not only the high net-worth individual segment but the booming middle class is looking at a great potential in luxury travel investment,” says Karan Anand, Head, Relationships, Cox & Kings.
“Our tours enable travellers to live their exclusive experiences. Our Japan tour includes rickshaw ride from Asakusa through Nakamise Street as well as high-speed journey by bullet train from Mishima to Kyoto,” says Anand of Cox & Kings.
Luxury packages are around 30-40 per cent more expensive than normal travel packages. But travellers’ idea of luxury is changing with the world’s evolving idea of wealth and status, according to Anand. Such travellers may fly economy, but like to splurge on a luxurious chateau in France or a helicopter ride to a remote desert peak for an exclusive yoga class.
