The Indian traveller has changed faster than the industry serving them. Weekend tourism out of our metros has grown from an occasional indulgence into a regular habit, and preferences have quietly inverted: travellers now choose experiences over amenities, immersion over itineraries, and destinations that offer what cities cannot. The question for hospitality is no longer how much we can add to a property, but what we can meaningfully leave untouched.

Consider Mumbai, a megacity without a green lung: no Hyde Park, no Central Park. Millions of people living in concrete density need somewhere within driving distance to escape to. The pandemic accelerated what was already underway, as travellers began seeking private, low-density, nature-oriented stays over crowded resorts, and that preference has proven durable rather than momentary.