How Ananda Went From a Foreigners’ Wellness Retreat to a 50% Indian Clientele
Photo Credit: Early morning yoga at Ananda in the Himalayas. Ananda in the Himalayas
Skift Take
Indians love a good bargain. However, with wellness taking center stage, many are now happily loosening their purse strings in exchange for a little R&R.
When Ananda in the Himalayas first opened its doors in India 25 years ago, it was thought of as a luxury retreat where people went to get pampered. Over time, as the global focus shifted towards well-being, the property transformed itself into a wellness destination. Today, it offers a full spectrum of programs designed to promote longevity, rejuvenation, and a balanced, healthy lifestyle.
Ananda’s international visitors are now double what they were pre-pandemic. That’s an accomplishment given that India's overall foreign tourist arrivals is yet to recover to pre-pandemic levels.
“We’ve bucked the trend. The world is moving towards integrative wellness — physical, emotional, and mental health combined,” said Aashica Khanna, director of Ananda in the Himalayas, talking about the potential of wellness tourism. “India has the knowledge and heritage. What we need now is a concerted effort to showcase it to the world.”
This perspective comes at a time when India’s medical value travel sector is projected to hit $13.4 billion by 2026, supported by a healthcare system that spans modern medicine, Ayurveda, and yoga.
It's this potential that has made destinations like Dubai look at wellness tourism. On Tuesday, Dubai announced Therme Dubai — the Middle East’s first
