As more pilgrims and spiritual searchers go to India’s holy cities, retail brands in a variety of categories—such as food and beverage, hypermarkets, home goods & department stores, fashion & apparel, and consumer electronics—are growing by customizing their offers to meet the demands of the pilgrims. This development demonstrates the positive relationship that exists between spiritual tourism and the retail industry, as both sectors gain from the increased foot traffic.
CBRE South Asia Pvt. Ltd. announced the findings of a report titled “Decoding Real Estate through the Spiritual Tourism Lens”. The report highlights retail chains that are benefiting from the growth in spiritual tourism in 14 major Indian cities. Let’s take a look at it. Also, if you are seeking affordable flight tickets from Canada to India, don’t forget to browse Flyopedia.
Rise of Urban Spiritual Tourism
The surge in spiritual tourism is a sign of a broader shift in traveler preferences as more individuals seek for transformative experiences outside traditional rituals. This demand is being met by the growth of urban spiritual tourism, which draws tourists to locations recognized for their profound religious and spiritual value. This trend has led to a major retail boom in cities like Amritsar, Ajmer, Varanasi, Katra, and Somnath.
Retail Brands’ Expansion into Religious Cities
According to a media article, retailers are aggressively growing in religious cities as a result of increased tourism, which draws them to these lucrative marketplaces. Brands including Decathlon, Fab India, Manyavar, Blackberrys, and Spykar have entered cities including Ayodhya, Ajmer, Katra, Somnath, Shirdi, Mathura, Bodh Gaya, and Madurai. According to CBRE, retailers across a range of industries, including food and beverage, department stores, clothing and fashion, hypermarkets, home goods, and consumer electronics, are expanding by customizing their offerings to the demands of pilgrims.
Anshuman Magazine, Chairman & CEO, CBRE – India, South-East Asia, Middle East & Africa, noted that this increase is being supported by government initiatives to improve tourism and connectivity between pilgrimage places. Another important factor is the growth of online shopping platforms that offer easy access to products and services with a religious focus. Furthermore, you can visit Flyopedia to grab affordable Canada to India business class flight deals.
Infrastructure Development Aids Surges in Spiritual Tourism
According to a survey by Jefferies, despite the current infrastructure impediments, the most visited holy sites in India welcome 10–30 million tourists each year. Additionally, the majority of these cities are now upgrading their infrastructure, which will support their growth.
The federal and state governments are building public transportation networks, airports, and interconnected roads. Furthermore, it’s fostering the expansion of hotels, guesthouses, and wellness facilities to ensure that guests have a good stay.
India’s burgeoning spiritual tourism sector is the reason behind the country’s exceptional growth in the number of religious travelers. The government’s efforts to boost tourism and improve connections between pilgrimage sites are contributing to this increase. A further crucial factor, according to Anshuman Magazine, Chairman and CEO of CBRE’s India, South-East Asia, Middle East & Africa, is the expansion of online marketplaces that simplify the acquisition of faith-based products and services.
While Jefferies anticipates 50 million visitors per year on average to Ayodhya, other pilgrimage sites are also expanding quickly. India is home to a broad spectrum of tourist locations including beaches, hill stations, cultural and historical attractions, and more. The largest sector of tourism in India is still religious travel, the report continues.
Elite Hotels Catering to the Spiritually Inclined
The Indian hospitality industry continues to find spiritual tourism to be a lucrative source of income. Big hotel chains are responding to the changing needs of spiritual travelers by providing pristine, sanitary, and kid-friendly lodging at premium rates. With their unique blend of comfort and traditional hospitality, branded hotels are starting to emerge as major participants in the market for spiritual seekers.
Hotel companies have also joined with spa facilities to address the needs of spiritual tourism. Wellness facilities provide services like yoga and Ayurveda to promote physical, mental, and spiritual health, while hotel corporations create serene areas, customize wellness programs, and grant access to temples and holy locations for profound spiritual experiences. Also, don’t forget to check out Flyopedia.com to grab the cheapest flights from USA to India.
Investment Prospects and Economic Growth
Spurred by the increasing popularity of this sector, investors are swarming to capitalize on the potential of the spiritual tourism industry. The objectives of investments are to protect historic sites, improve infrastructure, provide top-notch lodging, and eventually stimulate local economic growth. This trend has created additional space for the retail and hospitality sectors to expand in these areas.
Bottom Line
The rise in spiritual tourism in India is influencing the retail and accommodation industries as well as the expansion of the local economy. Cities with strong religious and spiritual significance are becoming popular tourist destinations as people look for life-changing experiences more and more. This is encouraging investment and innovation in infrastructure, retail, and hospitality services. So, book last minute flight to India from Canada with Flyopedia and explore the intersection of commerce and faith.
Also Read: Top 5 Places in India to Have Spiritual Experience
