In a world grappling with various crises, India stands out as a beacon of positivity. As the country’s global prominence grows, so does the shift in consumer preferences. Consumers are moving away from ostentatious consumption, instead seeking profound and experiential expressions of luxury.

With the luxury segment poised for remarkable growth, News9 Plus, the news OTT platform under the TV9 Network, has partnered with Jyoti Mayal, President of TAAI (Travel Agents Association of India), and Chander Mansharamani, MD of Alpcord Network Travel & Conferences Management Company. Together, they have created a platform where luxury connoisseurs can converge.

Visionary leaders from various domains, including travel, tourism, luxury, wellness, weddings, and conferences, came together for an extraordinary experience at The Iconic Experiences Show, held on October 16-17, 2023, at the Hyatt Regency in New Delhi.

The event featured a series of masterclasses, fireside chats, keynote presentations, and panel discussions, led by prominent figures in their respective industries. Esteemed aviation leaders Aditya Ghosh, co-founder of Akasa Air, and Kapil Kaul, CEO & Director of CAPA Advisory, shared their insights, noting that the sky’s the limit. Nakul Anand, Executive Director of ITC Limited, delved into sustainable luxury in an engaging masterclass.

Distinguished speakers like Rupinder Brar, IT Commissioner, Government of India; Dr. Jyotsna Suri, Chairperson & Managing Director of Bharat Hotels Limited; Varija Bajaj, Fashion Designer; and Shobha Rudra from Rare India discussed how women are driving sustainability goals.

Yoga and spiritual gurus, Sadhvi Pragya and Sadhvi Praygya Bharti, along with Brajendra Nandan Das from ISKCON India, captivated the audience with their insights on wellness. Leaders from the events and wedding industry, such as Samit Garg, MD & co-founder of E-Factor Experiences Ltd.; Chetan Vohra, MD of Line Communications & Weddingline; Vandana Mohan, founder of The Wedding Design Company; Dr. Sanjana Jon, social activist and fashion designer; and Asmita Chakraborty, Miss Tourism India 2021, discussed the wedding sector in India.

The Luxperiencial event culminated on October 17 with exclusive B2B meetings, Power Breakfast sessions with buyers, and networking opportunities during a captivating sundowner affair.

Jyoti Mayal, President of TAAI, explained the motivation behind the platform, saying, “After the pandemic, people wanted to explore travel beyond mundane itineraries. In revenge travel mode, they were seeking experiences. Travel agents needed to think out-of-the-box ideas, and that’s why we came up with TIES, a platform to help them add a luxurious element to their packages.”

Raktim Das, Chief Growth Officer of TV9 Network, expressed optimism about India’s transformative influence on the travel, tourism, wellness, weddings, and MICE sectors. He said, “A pivotal shift is already happening, and in the years ahead, India will be one of the world’s foremost luxury markets.”

Das further elaborated on the initiative’s rationale, emphasizing that News9 Plus caters to a niche audience seeking unique perspectives in the daily news cycle, making it the perfect platform to amplify the curated content to a larger audience on News9 MediaVerse.

Several countries participated in the exhibition, including Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and Germany, alongside numerous Indian states and Destination Management Companies (DMCs).

Jyoti Mayal reinforced her belief in the enduring relevance of travel agents, emphasizing the need for them to adapt and elevate their services. The event, known as TIES, aimed to facilitate quality interactions between buyers and exhibitors, breaking away from closed-door, pre-booked meetings. Invitations were extended to golfers, wedding planners, high-net-worth individuals, and women influencers.

The event also featured prominent speakers, including government officials, industry leaders, and experts, who discussed India’s potential to drive growth and transformation in various sectors, ranging from tourism to hospitality and culture.

The Iconic Experiences Show served as a platform for industry visionaries to redefine luxury and embrace a new era of meaningful and experiential opulence, reflecting the evolving tastes of India’s discerning consumers.