Wyndham’s vision for India: Sustainability, technology and spiritual tourism

Over the next five years, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts aims to strengthen its presence in the Indian hospitality market by focussing on several key strategies, beginning with the overall company mission to make travel accessible to all. The focus will be to cater to the strong domestic travel market by promoting its convenient locations, affordability and strong, relevant brands. “We will target weekend getaways, pilgrimages, family vacations and business travellers alike. With India’s growing middle-class, Wyndham plans to expand its midscale and upper-midscale brands like Ramada, Wyndham and Wyndham Garden, while also exploring the economy and budget segment with the introduction of leading brands like Super8 and Days Inn. Our key focus will remain on delivering value-for-money accommodations without compromising on quality, across all segments and tiers of the hospitality industry,” shares Dimitris Manikis, President EMEA, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts.

Manikis adds if there’s one thing they have learned over the last few years is long-term planning, something they can’t fully rely on, given the constant changes in the business landscape and shifting priorities based on both internal and external dynamics. “That being said, from a Wyndham Hotels & Resorts perspective, we have a few key strategies and focus areas that underpin our presence and growth trajectory in India and the greater region,” he says.

As technology continues to be a game-changer in the industry, Manikis says that Wyndham will concentrate on enhancing its digital platforms, offering localised mobile apps, e-payment options and online B2B and B2C solutions to meet the needs of India’s tech-savvy owners, operators and consumers. “Additionally, we will capitalise on the strong demand for spiritual tourism by creating packages designed for travellers, offering proximity to spiritual sites and tailored amenities. These efforts will help Wyndham build a stronger foothold in India’s expanding hospitality sector,” he opines.

New Hotel Developments
Wyndham is, at present, focussing on expanding in Tier II and III cities, such as Srinagar, Ambala and Chandigarh, where there is a growing demand for affordable yet high-quality accommodations. “With spiritual tourism on the rise, locations like Ayodhya, Vrindavan, Varanasi and Bodhgaya are also key areas of focus. These regions offer significant growth potential and our goal is to make travel accessible to everyone by expanding our reach across the country. By targetting these emerging cities, we aim to meet the evolving needs of travellers and further strengthen our presence in India’s rapidly developing hospitality market,” says Manikis.

Leveraging Partnerships For Growth and Development In India
Wyndham plans to drive its growth in India through strategic partnerships with travel agencies, airlines and digital platforms. These collaborations will focus on joint marketing efforts, cross-promotion and exclusive package deals, offering added value to travellers. “By working closely with these partners, we aim to expand our reach, attract more guests and create a seamless travel experience. At the same time, our strong relationships with leading white-label operators and asset managers in India will enable us to grow faster and offer more choices and options to our asset owners, helping them achieve better returns on their investments,” shares Manikis.

Sustainability Initiatives
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is committed to sustainability in both its new and existing developments in India, aligning with global trends and local expectations. Through the Wyndham Green programme, the President EMEA, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts informs, “We implement eco-friendly practices that focus on optimising energy efficiency, reducing emissions and minimising waste across all our hotels. This programme ensures that our properties are built and operated with sustainability in mind, adhering to the highest environmental standards.”

The Wyndham Green Toolbox is the online environmental management system, specifically designed to track, measure and report on global performance in areas such as energy and water consumption, emissions generation, and waste diversion. The Toolbox provides franchisees with a visual representation of their environmental footprint, allowing them to monitor their environmental performance. In India, Ramada by Wyndham Lucknow Hotel and Convention Center: Level 5 – Expert; Ramada by Wyndham Navi Mumbai: Level 4 – Advanced; Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Chennai: Level 5 – Expert and Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Lucknow: Level 5 – Expert have achieved Level 4 and 5 certifications.

Evolving Preferences Of Indian Travellers
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts will continue to adapt to the evolving preferences of Indian and inbound international travellers by expanding its midscale brands to cater to the growing demand for quality accommodations, particularly among the middle-class. “With a focus on Tier II and III cities, where economic activity and spiritual tourism are on the rise, we aim to offer personalised, premium experiences. As Indian consumers become increasingly tech-savvy, we plan to enhance our digital platforms with localised mobile apps, e-payment options and exclusive online solutions. Additionally, our commitment to sustainability – including energy efficient hotels and eco-friendly practices – aligns with the growing environmental awareness of both Indian and international travellers,” he informs.