New Delhi: The travel industry, along with the culinary sector, has undergone a shift in trend and is experiencing a surge in demand for how people travel. Not only how they tailor the travel itinerary to meet the requirements and wants, but also the culinary journey that accompanies the vacation, business travel, or relaxation is changing according to the needs and demands they seek.
People post-pandemic have started investing in travelling to various locations for different purposes, and are now demanding that hotels, staycations or the places they are visiting offer more mindful and experience-driven itineraries to help have a better stay. The hospitality experts are also seeing a surge in demand and help us track what people are exactly looking for, for a better stay and experience.
Travel behaviour shift post-pandemic in Indian travellers
Post-COVID, Indian travellers have become more mindful and experience-driven. There’s a growing preference for purposeful travel, where comfort, safety, and emotional value are just as important as convenience. In urban hubs like Delhi, we’re seeing a surge in hybrid travel, with guests seamlessly blending work and leisure, says Saumitra Chaturvedi, General Manager, Novotel, New Delhi.
Flexibility, wellness-oriented offerings, and a clear commitment to sustainability are now key decision-making factors. Last-minute bookings have also become more common, often driven by impulse and shorter planning cycles. Above all, travellers are gravitating toward brands that offer authenticity, care, and thoughtfully curated experiences that resonate on a deeper, more human level.
Delhi is a cultural and culinary hotspot
Saumitra Chaturvedi adds on to share that Delhi is no longer just a city of grand monuments and ancient history; it’s rapidly emerging as a vibrant destination for cultural exploration and culinary discovery. Today’s travellers seek more than just heritage; they’re drawn to Delhi’s buzzing food landscape, contemporary art galleries, fashion hubs and evolving subcultures. This fusion of tradition with a modern, expressive spirit makes the capital an increasingly magnetic stop for cultural and culinary tourism.
The city’s rise as a MICE hub, with world-class venues like Bharat Mandapam and Yashobhoomi, has further driven global footfall and tourism momentum, offering opportunities to blend business with authentic local experiences. Our hotel is also showcasing regional cuisines at Food Exchange, curating hyper-local recommendations for guests, and creating art-led, contemporary spaces that echo the city’s energy. We offer more than just a stay. To deepen this connection, we are also working towards introducing curated heritage tours and local food walks, allowing our guests to experience the city’s cultural and culinary richness first-hand. The aim to provide an immersive Dilli from the Heart experience that reflects the bold and constantly evolving pulse of the capital today.
A rise in wellness-focused travel
Wellness today goes far beyond spas. It isn’t a feature, it’s a feeling we aim to nurture at every step of the guest journey. We believe in creating environments that support mental clarity, physical vitality, and emotional balance.
Today’s travellers, especially business travellers, prioritise healthier meals, restorative sleep, fitness routines, and calming environments as essentials, not luxuries. The in-house expert chefs consciously curate menus that include lighter, nutritious options, along with clear indications for allergens and dietary preferences, allowing guests to eat well while honouring their individual needs.
One of the most noticeable shifts this year is the move toward conscious and healthier eating. Guests are increasingly drawn to ingredients that offer both nutrition and nostalgia. Millets, jackfruit, native greens, and cold-pressed oils have become staples in modern menus, not just for their health benefits, but for their deep-rooted cultural significance, says Chef Umesh Singh, Executive Chef.
The experts in the industry explain how the culinary journey, cultural touch with a modern twist, is innovating how people choose to stay with a resort, hotel or boutique. Delhi’s hospitality industry is taking over by storm and making changes every minute to match the demands and also attract many foreign guests each year, and not letting the Indian guests feel any less than luxury at home.