How big is IHCL’s Taj InnerCircle now?
INDIAN HOTELS CO. Ltd’s loyalty program, Taj InnerCircle, part of Tata Neu's 'NeuPass,' grew 5x in its member base, reaching 10 million members. Loyalty-driven revenue now accounts for more than 40 percent of IHCL’s total enterprise revenue.
Tata Neu’s brand visibility and influence, along with loyalty offerings, rewards, benefits, a seamless booking journey, and exclusive privileges, have strengthened customer loyalty and engagement, IHCL said in a statement.
“The rapid growth of IHCL’s loyalty member base with NeuPass is a testament to the power of the One Tata ecosystem,” said Parveen Chander Kumar, IHCL’s executive vice president – commercial. “Presently, loyalty-driven revenue comprises over 40 percent of IHCL’s total enterprise revenue. We remain committed to enhancing lifetime customer value and using technology to enrich guest experiences. The program has significantly broadened IHCL’s digital footprint across our diverse portfolio, spanning mid-scale to luxury.”
Meanwhile, IHCL signed 85 hotels and opened 40 properties in 2024, growing its portfolio to 360 hotels with 123 in the pipeline. The Taj brand signed 19 hotels, expanding to 125 properties.
Kumar said the loyalty program drives IHCL’s transformation, marked by a 5x increase in its member base, culminating in a 10-million-member milestone.
“Tata Neu’s diverse ecosystem across travel, hospitality, shopping, financial services, and more has equipped IHCL with a competitive advantage in growing and retaining its expanding member base,” he said.
IHCL, India’s largest hospitality company by market capitalisation, has a portfolio of 368 hotels, with 128 under development globally across four continents, 14 countries, and more than 150 locations.
Canadian traveler picks Pakistan’s hospitality over India’s
Pakistan Beats India in Hospitality, Says Canadian Vlogger
INDIA IS KNOWN for “Atithi Devo Bhava,” meaning "The guest is God," but some foreigners disagree. A Canadian man, when asked to choose between India and Pakistan for better hospitality, picked Pakistan without hesitation.
His brief interview with an Instagram user has since gone viral, Hindustan Times reported.
Instagram user @officialnamour, known for vox pop videos, recently asked Canadian traveler Nolan Saumure about "desi" hospitality. Saumure, a Canadian travel vlogger, has visited dozens of countries, including India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Mexico, Indonesia, the U.S. and Vietnam.
When asked, “India or Pakistan—which has better hospitality?” Saumure instantly replied, "Pakistan, obviously."
He explained that Indians often see foreigners as wealthy customers, while Pakistanis offer warm hospitality, inviting tourists into their homes and offering food.
"You go to India, and people just see you as a walking ATM," Saumure said. "You go to Pakistan, and people are like, 'Oh, come here, sit. Take this free food. Come sleep at my place.'"
The video has more than 4.4 million views and hundreds of comments, many agreeing with Saumure.
"As an African living in Dubai, I agree with him. Pakistanis are friendlier than Indians. Pakistanis see you as a friend, while Indians see you as a stranger," one user commented. Another added simply, “I agree (I’m Indian).”
“India gets a lot of tourists, so we’re used to it and have built an economy around them,” another Instagram user said. “Pakistan gets only a few hundred tourists a year, so seeing a foreigner is a big deal for them.”
Some criticized Saumure’s opinion, some with racial overtones.
“Why do whites expect princess treatment from Indians after stealing $45 trillion from India?” one user asked.
A whitepaper by the Confederation of Indian Industry and EY projects India’s tourism and hospitality sector will create 6.1 million jobs by 2034. It currently accounts for 8 percent of total employment.