When Ananda within the Himalayas first opened its doorways in India 25 years in the past, it was regarded as a luxurious retreat the place folks went to get pampered. Over time, as the worldwide focus shifted in direction of well-being, the property remodeled itself right into a wellness vacation spot. As we speak, it provides a full spectrum of packages designed to advertise longevity, rejuvenation, and a balanced, wholesome life-style.
Ananda’s worldwide guests are actually double what they have been pre-pandemic. That’s an accomplishment on condition that India’s general international vacationer arrivals is but to get better to pre-pandemic ranges.
“We’ve bucked the pattern. The world is shifting in direction of integrative wellness — bodily, emotional, and psychological well being mixed,” stated Aashica Khanna, director of Ananda within the Himalayas, speaking in regards to the potential of wellness tourism. “India has the information and heritage. What we’d like now could be a concerted effort to showcase it to the world.”
This angle comes at a time when India’s medical worth journey sector is projected to hit $13.4 billion by 2026, supported by a healthcare system that spans fashionable medication, Ayurveda, and yoga.
It is this potential that has made locations like Dubai have a look at wellness tourism. On Tuesday, Dubai introduced Therme Dubai — the Center East’s first wellbeing resort and interactive park. With an estimated AED 2 billion ($545 million) funding, the resort is slated for completion by 2028.
Profitable Over Home Vacationers
In its early years, Ananda was nearly completely depending on worldwide visitors. About 90% of its clientele traveled from overseas, typically making lengthy and sophisticated journeys — flying into Delhi, spending an evening there, taking a 6 to 7-hour prepare to Haridwar, after which being picked up for the ultimate leg to Ananda.
Over time, a shift passed off. Home bookings have surged as information of Ayurveda, yoga, and holistic wellness has grown amongst Indian vacationers. “A big a part of the work we’ve completed in India was about constructing consciousness,” Aashica’s father Ashok Khanna, who can be the managing director of the wellness retreat, instructed Skift.
Indians now make up 50% of Ananda’s visitors, a major shift for a value-conscious market. Particularly since Ananda’s complete wellness program charges for 7-21 nights begin at INR 50,000 ($571) per night time (plus taxes) on single occupancy, protecting lodging, wellness meals and every day wellness periods.
Amongst worldwide guests, the biggest quantity comes from the U.S., adopted by the UK, Germany, Russia, Commonwealth of Unbiased States (CIS) international locations, and the Center East.
In line with a Skift Analysis report, US vacationers spent $258 billion on wellness-focused journey.
What Drives Ananda
The core philosophy at Ananda has been to stay genuine to Indian traditions — Ayurveda, yoga, and Vedanta — whereas making them related to modern-day life-style challenges. “Whether or not it is hormonal imbalances, continual illnesses, or stress-related problems, these points are common,” Aashica Khanna defined. “Our focus has been on treating modern-day points by way of historical sciences.”
This method has resulted in longer stays — 7 to 21 nights, up from three days, she stated. Additionally, many visitors return a number of occasions a 12 months, she stated.
Tendencies Shaping the Way forward for Wellness Tourism
Ananda’s success highlights rising traits within the wellness business. Packages specializing in sleep, metabolic problems, and auto-immune points are in excessive demand, as vacationers not solely search rest, however long-term well being advantages. There’s additionally a rising world concentrate on longevity — wellness vacationers aren’t simply seeking to really feel good now however to increase and enhance their high quality of life, stated Ashok Khanna.
One other key pattern is the altering demographic. Traditionally, wellness retreats have been dominated by ladies. At Ananda, the variety of male visitors has grown considerably. Ladies are nonetheless the bulk, however they make up simply 54% of the entire. “Ten years in the past, this may have been extraordinary, because it was predominantly ladies,” Aashica Khanna stated.
Greater than 55% of visitors coming to Ananda are solo vacationers.
The Growth Technique
Ananda’s worldwide development has been fueled by focused outreach slightly than conventional advertising and marketing. “We don’t simply market; we create world touchpoints,” stated Aashica Khanna. This contains partnerships, pop-up retreats, and academic packages worldwide.
Current initiatives have taken Ananda to Switzerland, Maldives, New York and this 12 months this might be prolonged to Portugal and Wales, the place curated wellness experiences introduce worldwide audiences to its philosophy.
“The aim isn’t simply visibility — it’s about significant connections,” she added. “Even a three-day retreat can set off a long-term dedication to wellness.”
Tech and Analysis-Pushed Progress
Whereas many hospitality manufacturers equate growth with new properties, Ananda has taken a distinct method. “Growth doesn’t all the time imply new areas. It will probably imply digital development, academic packages, or analysis initiatives,” Aashica Khanna defined.
One such initiative is the Ananda Properly-Being App. Designed for present visitors, it permits them to handle their wellness journey pre-, throughout, and post-stay, whereas additionally providing publicity to wellness content material to a wider viewers.
Analysis is one other key focus. “For each shopper, we monitor wellness touchpoints and convert them into research-backed case research,” she stated. This data-driven method is poised to bridge the hole between conventional knowledge and evidence-based wellness practices, enhancing credibility in world markets.
Challenges in India
Regardless of Ananda’s success, the broader Indian wellness tourism business faces challenges — primarily a scarcity of presidency assist and infrastructure. “Indian tourism continues to be being bought because the Taj Mahal and temples,” Ashok Khanna stated. “There’s no structured funding in positioning India as a wellness vacation spot.”
In distinction, different international locations have dynamic tourism boards that deal with the sector as a model, offering constant funding and infrastructure. Whereas India might maybe be the one nation to have a ministry devoted to holistic well being — the Ayush ministry, its world promotion has been inconsistent.
