- India is well versed with its religion and culture, how well known is religious tourism in the country?
Religious and spiritual tourism is one of the oldest forms of travel in India, especially amongst the older generation. But, post-pandemic there has been a trend shift. A lot of activity and conversation around religious tourism has been happening among the younger generation. Gen Z and Millennials are taking special interest in religious and spiritual holidays after realizing the importance of spirituality, meditation, yoga, and self-care. They are also opting to either work out of these places or combine it with leisure activities.
- Why did the group choose to move forward toward religious tourism in India?
India is a land of religious and pilgrimage sites. the slowdown in travel that happened due to the pandemic is changing. People are getting back to travelling and religious tourism is growing rapidly. However, barring a few places in the country, there is a dearth of good, budget-friendly hotel options in most places. To visit a temple, dham, mosque or church, people have to stay in cities and then make day trips. the category is highly unorganized. This is why we are now focusing on religious and spiritual places, mostly in tier 3 and 4 cities, where we see a huge demand for a quality stay.
Such initiatives also generate employment opportunities for the local people. These hotels work exceptionally well in smaller districts where the residents primarily depend on tourism as a means of livelihood.
- Post-pandemic, How do you plan to set up the hotels especially in tier 3 and 4 towns to meet the demand?
We work on five models – owned hotels, leased properties, management contracts, revenue share or franchisee model. We will be following the same methodology to build properties in these cities as well.
With Gen Z and Millennials taking a liking to Religious tourist destinations in India, How do you plan to cater for them?
Though Gen Z and Millennials are preferring religious and spiritual tourist destinations they also require good quality stay options in these places. Not everyone can afford a luxury or a 5-star stay. Hence we are looking at creating budget-to-upscale stay options. At Suba, we offer unique stay experience and excellent quality services with superior facilities at affordable prices. From plug sockets to free high-speed WIFI, good food, great tea and coffee, a comfortable setting and EV chargers, our properties are designed to cater to the modern traveller.
Are there any special care/needs taken while building up hotels in Religious tourist destinations in India? (Technology/Construction/ Sustainability)
Honestly, it is difficult to find too much of availability of land or a decent property, etc. at such locations, hence we have to be very conservative in planning and have to be flexible as well.
- Is Suba Hotels exploring the option of building properties mid-way? (Since most of the religious places are still highly unorganized and in many places, due to situational circumstances construction cannot be done)
Yes, Suba Group of Hotels is exploring the option of building properties in mid-way since many pilgrimage sites are not suitable for living. They have extreme climatic conditions and there is a restriction on construction in religious towns as well. in such scenario, we will be exploring places within 30-50km distance.
Places like Kumarakom, Junagadh, Salasar, Devgarh etc., have great infrastructure-building capacities and have limited stay options.
- What is next for Suba Group of Hotels?
Our aim at Suba Group of Hotels is to make our group the largest hotel chain in India across budget to upscale category. We are building our technology features to offer our guests a delightful, digital- first experience.
We are currently working to acquire more properties and expand our hotel strength and hope to add 500-600 rooms every year. Our focus will continue to be tier two – three cities as well as the upcoming industrial estate areas. We are also exploring northeast and working on setting up hotels there.
