In Brief: India’s travel sector is experiencing significant growth, with Indian travelers increasing their international and domestic hotel stays, driving up revenues for both global hotel groups and domestic luxury brands, and showing a strong preference for loyalty programs and personalized experiences.
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Loyalty Programs Fuel Growth in International and Domestic Hotel Stays Among Indian Travelers – Image Credit Unsplash
Indian travelers are contributing to a notable rise in both domestic and international hotel stays, according to new data from the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) and The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts. In 2025, Indian members of the GHA DISCOVERY loyalty program generated $75 million in global hotel revenues, marking a 25% increase from the previous year. International stays accounted for 54% of total member-driven revenue, with the United Arab Emirates, Thailand, and Singapore remaining the top destinations for Indian travelers for the second consecutive year.
Domestically, GHA DISCOVERY’s 16 hotels in India saw loyalty-generated revenue reach $82 million in 2025, a 22% increase year-on-year. This growth was supported by both domestic demand and international travelers, particularly from the United States and the United Kingdom.
Growth in Indian Outbound and Domestic Travel
The rise in hotel stays aligns with broader trends in India’s travel sector. Provisional data from the Ministry of Tourism shows that more than 32.7 million Indians traveled abroad in 2025, a 5.9% increase over 2024. Domestic travel has also exceeded pre-pandemic levels, and inbound tourism is expanding, especially in luxury, cultural, and wellness segments.
At the Skift India Intelligence Summit, Chris Hartley, CEO of Global Hotel Alliance, and Anuraag Bhatnagar, CEO of The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, highlighted the rapid growth of Indian travelers within GHA DISCOVERY’s global portfolio of 1,000 hotels. Hartley noted that India has become one of the most important travel markets worldwide, with strong growth in both membership and spending.
The Leela’s Expansion and Focus on Experiences
Celebrating its 40th year, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts announced expansion into new Indian destinations, including Coorg and Jaisalmer. The brand is also growing its private membership club, Arq By The Leela, which will open new locations in Delhi, Chennai, and Mumbai.
According to Anuraag Bhatnagar, The Leela’s expansion reflects the evolving preferences of Indian luxury travelers, who increasingly seek immersive and culturally rooted experiences. About half of The Leela’s revenue now comes from sources beyond traditional room bookings, such as dining, wellness, and curated programming.
Loyalty and Preferences Among Indian Travelers
Research from GHA DISCOVERY in the first quarter of 2026 highlights several trends among Indian travelers. There is a growing demand for privacy and exclusivity, with 21% of Indian members willing to pay for private or managed experiences, compared to a global average of 16%. Family-driven travel is also prominent, with 49% of Indian members prioritizing trips with family and friends, higher than the global average of 38%. Additionally, 81% of Indian business travelers extend work trips for leisure, a trend known as “bleisure” travel.
Engagement with loyalty programs is particularly strong in India. Ninety-three percent of Indian members say they would choose a hotel with a global loyalty program, and 90% view GHA DISCOVERY as a luxury offering.
Conclusion
India’s travel market is expanding rapidly, with Indian travelers driving growth in hotel revenues both domestically and internationally. The increasing preference for loyalty programs, personalized experiences, and family-oriented travel is shaping the strategies of hotel brands like The Leela and global alliances such as GHA.
