With a landmass stretching from the lofty Himalayas in the north to the Indian Ocean in the south, India is home to diverse ecosystems ranging from arid to tropical. A handful of countries can boast of the range of flora and fauna available in India. With abundant flora and fauna, the country should be one of the top destinations for wildlife tourism globally. However, the reality is quite different. Despite the immense potential of wildlife tourism, India lags behind smaller countries such as Kenya and South Africa when it comes to wildlife or eco-tourism.
A renewed interest in safari lodges can change the scenario for wildlife tourism in India. Safari lodges are not new to the Indian hospitality scene. Some luxury safari lodges like Samode Safari Lodge and Reni Pani Jungle Lodge have created a niche among international travellers by offering curated experiential stays in the lap of nature, however, the full potential of wildlife tourism remains to be tapped. India has a network of 981 protected areas, which includes 104 national parks, 566 wildlife sanctuaries, 214 community reserves, and 97 conservation reserves. Considering the vast number of wildlife parks, sanctuaries and reserves, the total number of world-class properties remains low.
“Properties with an emphasis on wildlife suffered greatly as a subset of the tourism sector when the epidemic struck. Now that the pandemic is over, guests are looking for unique experiences, a secluded setting, and a high level of privacy in order to feel refreshed and renewed throughout their trips. “
Various reasons can be attributed to the lack of luxury wildlife properties in the country. Since safari lodges are situated in eco-sensitive zones, planners and developers must work closely with the government and the local community, which often slows down the development of new properties. Taking cognisance of the issue, the government has launched several initiatives to promote wildlife tourism in the country, including the development of new wildlife lodges and the creation of wildlife tourism circuits. Investors can lap up the opportunity and conceptualise properties that offer a mix of local culture, food and building methods coupled with conservation.
When the tourism industry was rocked by the pandemic, wildlife-focused properties were one of the worst-hit segments as they catered to a niche and differentiated clientele. With the pandemic behind us, travellers are increasingly seeking experiential stays, a pristine environment and exclusivity to rejuvenate and energise.
To cater to travellers who want a break from city life, properties in wildlife areas with good connectivity to urban centres can be planned. Ranthambore National Park and Jawai Hills in Rajasthan, Pilibhit Tiger Reserve in Uttar Pradesh and Kabini in Karnataka can be some of the options worth considering. Jawai and Pilibhit are fast emerging as tourist hotspots.
Most of the existing safari lodges target international tourists in India. New properties can be developed focussing on premium domestic tourists along with international travellers. Investors, however, would need an evolved marketing strategy to reach out to high-paying domestic tourists. The offerings and the placement of the property will have to be curated from the planning stage itself.
Consultancy firms like Spectra Hospitality with deep consumer insight can help investors in every stage of development from conceptualising and execution to operation and marketing. Spectra welcomes inquiries from prospective investors at info@spectrahospitality.com.