As India’s inbound tourism sector rebounds, industry veteran Pravin Shah, Director of Harshil Tours and IATO’s Maharashtra and Dadra, Nagar Haveli & Daman Chapter Chairman, shares his insights on moving beyond mass tourism, the rise of premium experiential travel, and what the trade needs to do to position India as a world-class destination.
He says, “Yes, India is still largely volume-driven, but slowly we are seeing more demand for premium and experience-led travel. The potential for high-value tourism is definitely there because India offers luxury, culture, wellness, spirituality, wildlife, and unique experiences that very few countries can match. As travel agents, we need to move beyond only selling packages and focus more on creating personalised and experience-based itineraries. The industry should also work more aggressively on promoting niche segments like luxury, MICE, weddings, ayurveda, adventure, gastronomy, and cultural tourism.”
At the same time, he adds, attracting volumes is also important because tourism supports so many sectors and creates employment at every level. “The right approach is to balance both — continue growing arrivals while also positioning India as a premium experiential destination. Another important point is that India should market lesser-known destinations and niche experiences more aggressively instead of only depending on traditional circuits,” Shah adds.
With over 17 years of experience in the B2B travel and hospitality sector, she brings deep insight into travel trade dynamics, industry challenges and market developments. She holds an MA in English Literature and a Diploma in Journalism from the Xavier Institute of Communications, Mumbai, which underpin her strong editorial expertise. An avid nature enthusiast, she prefers outdoor and adventure-led travel, including hiking and trekking.
