Categories: Travel

India set to become a global destination for ‘wellcations’: Navneet Nagpal, ET TravelWorld

Wellcation as a trend particularly has disrupted the travel and hospitality industry as of late. It has become a popular concept that blends gastronomy, spa/fitness indulgence, and wellness as a focus to embrace personal well-being.

Particularly in India, which is home to alternative wellness methods and techniques to deal with modern-day health issues, making it the perfect global destination for wellness vacations.

India, with its rich heritage of alternative wellness methods, is poised to become a global destination for wellness vacations. Market reports predict a substantial growth of USD 1,299.84 billion in India’s health and wellness sector between 2020 and 2024, indirectly propelling the ‘wellcation’ industry. The diverse geography and landscapes in India position it as an ideal global wellcation hub.

In a recent discussion with ETTravelWorld, Navneet Nagpal, Principal Consultant at Spectra Hospitality Services, shed light on the evolving trends in the travel and hospitality industries.

Wellcation – A disruptive trend
One of the key topics discussed during the interaction was the growing trend of ‘Wellcation,’ which has significantly disrupted the travel and hospitality sector. Nagpal highlighted that Wellcation, a concept blending gastronomy, spa/fitness indulgence, and overall wellness, has gained immense popularity.

During the discussion with ETTravelWorld, Nagpal shared several key insights. The importance of offering the right product at the right price with the right operator was emphasised. “It was noted that asset managers are increasingly becoming a commodity in the industry. Spectra, a company involved in hospitality and real estate, is actively engaged in glamping projects in Bangalore and is also establishing an experience centre in Goa to drive sales for a larger real estate project that includes a 30-room resort, wellness centre, and farm,” he said.

As we wrap up 2023 and move towards a new year, it is noteworthy to see the hospitality industry’s significant shift towards sustainability and responsible tourism. Travellers are increasingly seeking eco-friendly accommodations and experiences that positively impact the environment and local communities. Recognizing the urgency to address environmental and social challenges, the industry is prioritizing sustainable tourism as a crucial element in the journey toward a better future.

The concept of wellness is evolving into holistic wellness, with hotels incorporating spacious green areas. Nagpal further elaborated that successful projects have been completed in locations such as Kashmir, Gir (wellness retreat), and Goa. Further, Spectra has two projects that are currently under pre-opening in Bangalore, with another upcoming project in Coorg. The discussion also identified several roadblocks in the industry, such as skill gaps post-pandemic, the need for better education in sustainability and technology, and the increasing importance of AI and automation. “To address these challenges, sustainability initiatives, such as the use of solar panels and the elimination of plastic, are being implemented across all projects overlooked by Spectra. In addition, existing properties are adapting to wellness and leisure trends,” he mentioned.

On being asked about a valuable advice for industry stakeholders, Nagpal, a seasoned hospitality professional, also advised brand operators and hospitality professionals to be flexible for their specific market, rework their numbers for viability, and align with market demands.

As the travel and hospitality industries navigate post-pandemic challenges, Spectra Hospitality Services, through its insightful initiatives and partnerships, aims to lead the way in embracing and driving these transformative trends.