Economic Renaissance Through Spiritual Tourism, Hospitality News, ET HospitalityWorld

The rapid growth of spiritual tourism in India is driving the expansion of India’s faith-based tourism market. Aggressive tourism initiatives of the government and enhanced connectivity and infrastructure development among pilgrimage destinations are accelerating the growth trajectory of the market. Riding the wave of spiritual renaissance, the country’s economic dynamics are gaining momentum, driven by targeted government schemes such as *Prashad, Swadesh Darshan, and tourism at major pilgrimage sites and cultural heritage sites. The aim is to strengthen infrastructure and provide a comfortable journey for pilgrims and culture lovers. A richer experience. These programs will highlight pilgrimages and cultural landmarks across India and encourage the expansion of spiritual tourism. These efforts, complemented by increased connectivity and digital advances in religious trade, are building a comprehensive growth story for the country’s spiritual and economic landscape.

With the growing popularity of spiritual tourism, investors are flocking to tap into the market’s potential. Investing in spiritual cities not only enhances the spiritual experience of pilgrims, but also creates a thriving economic ecosystem, thereby benefiting related sectors such as infrastructure, real estate, and hospitality. Spiritual tourism in particular is expected to play an important role in the growth story of India’s tourism industry, as according to industry estimates, more than 50 per cent of India’s domestic tourism is spiritual in nature. I am. Moreover, by 2028, more than 30 million international travelers are expected to visit India for this purpose. This deep link between tourism and spirituality has been strengthened by the development of infrastructure such as highways and airports, making spiritual hubs more accessible.

Infrastructure development: the backbone of change
Infrastructure development has greatly improved access to India’s haunted sites, with notable advances such as highways and highways making day trips to religious cities easier. Additionally, Vande Bharat Express and other special train services have revolutionized pilgrimage travel, providing quick and comfortable journeys to major religious destinations such as Ayodhya, Amritsar and Varanasi. This has led to a notable increase in visitor numbers, with Mathura seeing a 190% year-on-year surge in tourist numbers in 2022, making travel easier for devotees and enriching their pilgrimage experience.

With improved connectivity to these cities, the hospitality industry is expanding its diverse accommodation offerings. In particular, hotel development is rapidly increasing, with approximately 3,000 new rooms planned in major religious cities. According to a report by CBRE and STR Global, this growth is attracting big brands such as Marriott, Taj, and Hyatt. These hotels aim to offer a unique blend of comfort, luxury and traditional hospitality, catering to the tastes of modern spiritual travelers seeking cleanliness, hygiene and a family-friendly environment. . This exciting combination creates a haven for those on a spiritual journey, ensuring a luxurious and spiritually enriching stay.

Additionally, technology has revolutionized what was once a time-consuming pilgrimage process. Digital platforms simplify services, travel arrangements, and accommodation bookings, putting planning power in the hands of spiritual travelers.

The rise of urban spiritual tourism
Once considered only for the elderly, spirituality is no longer limited by age. In 2024, Millennials and their Generation Z are already embarking on a journey of self-discovery in search of deeper connections with the world. However, these travelers are looking for accommodations that combine simplicity and functionality. They are driving the rise of urban spiritual tourism, where people flock to cities with rich spiritual heritage in search of meaningful experiences beyond traditional tourism.

Additionally, most travelers also seek solutions from ancient health remedies such as yoga and Ayurveda during their journey. This change has fostered innovative synergies between wellness centers and hospitality companies across India. Hotels also become tranquil sanctuaries, offering customized wellness retreats and easy transportation to sacred spaces. India’s haunted places such as Puri, Tirupati, Amritsar and Varanasi are now home to famous hotels such as Mayfair, Taj, ITC and Hilton. These places offer more than just accommodation. We offer immersive experiences with package tours and special services that make your spiritual journey even more enriching and engaging.

In an age where ancient traditions meet modern comforts, the growth of tourist facilities is enriching spiritual journeys and is particularly influencing the retail landscape.

Retail industry landscape that takes advantage of the spiritual tourism boom
The retail experience is undergoing a transformation to suit the spiritual traveler, offering a wide variety of products from religious artifacts to local delicacies, greatly enhancing travel. To further drive growth in this sector, supportive ecosystems are being established, including bespoke retail experiences and the creation of FMCG manufacturing and distribution hubs near spiritual locations. As the influx of spiritual seekers to India’s holy cities increases, retail brands across various segments such as fashion, food & beverages, supermarkets, homewares, department stores, electronics etc. We are evolving our products to meet your needs. . In our assessment, cities like Amritsar, Ajmer, Varanasi, and several others are at the forefront of this retail surge. These brands are deftly adapting their products and services in both shopping malls and busy street locations, aiming to meet the demands of a growing tourist base.

The fusion of retail innovation and spiritual tourism is driving growth across India. This growth spans infrastructure, hospitality and retail, bringing a new era of convenience and abundance to travelers. With improved travel networks, wellness centres, first-class hotels and personalized shopping, India meets the needs of modern pilgrims. This development positions spiritual tourism as a key attraction, combining sacred travel with comfort, promising prosperity for both tourists and the nation.

*PRASHAD: The Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) is the development and upgrading of infrastructure at pilgrimage sites, including hygiene, connectivity, amenities, waste management, and infrastructure for pilgrims, including tourist information centres, interpretation centers and spiritual learning. The focus is on creating facilities for Center.

*Swadesh Darshan: – Focus on building a solid framework for integrated development of tourist destinations in collaboration with States/UTs and local bodies to promote sustainable and responsible tourism in the country.

The author of Anshuman Magazine is Chairman and CEO of CBRE, India, South East Asia, Middle East and Africa.