ILLUME 2022 (Winter)
ILLUME 2022
The Affluent Indian Traveller: Habits, Preferences and Desires
ILLUME (Winter 2022) captured a defining moment of resurgence in India’s luxury-travel landscape. As global borders reopened and confidence returned, affluent Indian travellers re-entered the world with renewed intent — seeking travel that was curated, meaningful, and deeply personal.
This edition examined how India’s affluent travellers were back in motion, how their expectations had evolved since early reopening, and what global hospitality and travel brands needed to understand in order to remain relevant to a more discerning, experience-driven audience.
As pent-up demand met shifting aspirations, ILLUME Winter 2022 confronted critical questions:
- Who is the re-emerging affluent Indian traveller?
- What motivates their journeys now?
- How must hospitality, experiences, and travel curation evolve to match this renewed momentum?
Through intelligence-led dialogue, the forum decoded not only what luxury travel looked like in this moment — but what it needed to become to resonate with India’s changing high-net-worth traveller.
The Setting:
Format: Virtual
Access: By Invitation Only
Speakers
Global voices influencing the
future of luxury
Fulvio De Bonis
CEO & Founder, Imago Artis Travel
Fulvio De Bonis is the creative force behind Imago Artis Travel, a boutique DMC based in Italy. With a background in art history and luxury hospitality, Fulvio creates ultra-personalized, culturally rich journeys for elite travelers. Known for hosting VIPs like Jeff Bezos and Keanu Reeves, his company specializes in rare access and one-of-a-kind experiences. Fulvio’s imaginative, client-first philosophy has made Imago Artis synonymous with excellence in Italian experiential travel.
Hemal Jain
General Manager, Alila Villas Uluwatu
Hemal Jain is the General Manager at Alila Villas Uluwatu, Bali — a resort consistently ranked among the world’s best. Passionate about meaningful, sustainable luxury, Hemal champions purpose-driven travel and deep cultural connection. His leadership reflects a blend of operational excellence and community impact. With a strong belief in “travel with purpose,” Hemal ensures his team delivers award-winning hospitality while supporting local ecosystems and traditions. His style resonates with the next-generation global traveler.
Janne Honkanen
Founder, Luxury Action & Octola Private Wilderness
Janne Honkanen is the founder of Luxury Action and Octola Private Wilderness in Finnish Lapland. A pioneer in Arctic experiential travel, Janne designs ultra-luxury journeys rooted in sustainability and cultural authenticity. His bold vision has positioned him as an innovator in nature-based luxury travel, drawing high-profile clients seeking untouched, transformational experiences in the far north.
Rakhee Lalvani
Consultant; Founder, Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), RLA Communications
Rakhee Lalvani is a veteran communications leader with three decades at IHCL (Taj Hotels). As VP of PR and Corporate Communications, she built the global communication strategy for Taj, Vivanta, SeleQtions, and Ginger. Now a consultant to IHCL, she also runs RLA Communications. Rakhee has championed diversity, built award-winning brand narratives, and spearheaded crisis and brand transformation campaigns. Her influence extends across global hospitality networks as a trusted voice in storytelling and corporate strategy.
Christine Galle‐Luczak
Founder & Managing Director, Heavens Portfolio
Christine Galle-Luczak is the visionary behind Heavens Portfolio, Asia’s leading luxury hotel representation firm. Founded in 2005 in Singapore, her agency now has 17 offices and represents iconic brands like Cheval Blanc, Chiva-Som, Belmond, and Armani Hotels. With over two decades in Asia, including a leadership role at Chiva-Som, Christine blends sharp business acumen with a flair for high-touch, bespoke marketing. She remains a trusted connector for luxury hotels seeking deep market reach across Asia.
Sharanjit Leyl
International Broadcast Journalist, BBC World News (Former)
Sharanjit Leyl is a renowned international journalist with 25+ years at BBC, Bloomberg, and CBC. Singapore-born and London-anchored, she has reported live from major global events and interviewed prime ministers, CEOs, and cultural icons. Her BBC documentaries like Singapore at 50 are widely acclaimed. Known for sharp insights and elegant storytelling, Sharanjit is also a sought-after moderator at UN, World Bank, IMF, and ADB forums. She continues to shape global narratives with depth and grace.
Amit Kalsi
Founder & CEO, Experiential Travel Journeys
Amit Kalsi is the founder of Experiential Travel Journeys and a pioneer in India’s bespoke travel segment. With over 29 years in the industry, including a stint at Abercrombie & Kent, Amit launched ETJ in 2014 to serve discerning travelers seeking immersive, meaningful experiences. His MBA in International Marketing backs his passion for crafting deeply personal journeys that go far beyond sightseeing. Attention to detail, a global network, and an eye for unique encounters define his brand’s success.
Anshul Shah
Partner, All 4 Seasons
Anshul Shah is a leading luxury travel advisor and partner at All 4 Seasons, a top-tier travel firm in India. His company is affiliated with Traveller Made and holds preferred status with iconic hotel brands like LHW, Four Seasons, Marriott Stars & Luminous, Dorchester Diamond Club, and more. Known for crafting ultra-bespoke itineraries, Anshul has built deep partnerships across the globe. His strength lies in connecting discerning Indian travelers with rare experiences, making his agency a trusted name among elite clientele.
Malik Fernando
Managing Director, Resplendent Ceylon & Dilmah Tea
Malik Fernando is the Managing Director of Resplendent Ceylon, Sri Lanka’s pioneering luxury resort brand, and Director at Dilmah Tea. Resplendent Ceylon, a member of Relais & Châteaux, reflects his family’s vision of combining authentic hospitality with environmental and social stewardship. Malik also helped launch the Sri Lanka Tourism Alliance and sits on the board of SriLankan Airlines.
Tekla Maira
Founder, And The Story Continues
Tekla Maira, founder of “And The Story Continues,” is a luxury hospitality veteran with experience across The Oberoi Group, ITC Hotels, and Accor’s premium brands. After a brief retirement, she returned to represent Banyan Tree Hotels and Fairmont Maldives in India. Known for her storytelling ability and deep destination knowledge, Tekla curates success with heartfelt professionalism.
Sanjar Imam
Founder Director, Panache World
Sanjar Imam is the founder of Panache World, crafting distinctive, experiential journeys across 80+ countries. With 30+ years in luxury travel, his expertise ranges from spiritual journeys in Tibet to private jet tours and royal logistics. Sanjar’s work reflects a rare combination of precision and flair, and he remains deeply hands-on in curating each journey with personalized attention. From elaborate destination weddings to ultra-custom itineraries, he brings a lifetime of learning, curiosity, and impeccable execution to luxury travel design.
Rajan Datar
Host, The Travel Show, BBC World News
Rajan Datar is an award-winning BBC journalist and presenter of The Travel Show. Over a dynamic 30-year career, he has reported on arts, business, and global affairs, moderating at forums like UNWTO and WTTC. With a unique blend of insight and charisma, Rajan brings powerful narratives to life on screen and stage. His deep cultural fluency and sharp curiosity make him a compelling voice in travel journalism and public debate.
Sheetal Rastogi
Co-founder & Editorial Director, Luxury Tribe India & World Travel Magazine
Sheetal Rastogi is the co-founder of Luxury Tribe and Editorial Director of World Travel Magazine. With 22+ years in media and publishing across the UK, India, and Singapore, she launched World Travel Magazine in Southeast Asia and is now bringing it to India. An alumna of the University of Strathclyde and Miranda House, Sheetal has been an ambassador for Global Wellness Day and is known for her editorial foresight and passion for luxury travel. Her leadership combines deep storytelling with strategic insight into evolving luxury markets.
THE EXPERIENCE
An Intelligence-Led Forum
ILLUME Winter 2022 was a curated intelligence briefing and editorial forum designed to interpret real-time shifts in consumer mindset and industry response.
The edition brought together travel insiders, brand leaders, curators, and seasoned experts to examine how luxury travel and hospitality were adapting to a re-energised Indian market.
Through focused discussion and expert insight, the forum explored:
- The evolving behaviour, preferences, and emerging desires of affluent Indian travellers — from wellness-led retreats and lesser-known destinations to privacy, authenticity, and immersive experiences
- The transformation underway within hospitality and travel services, and how providers must recalibrate offerings, experiences, and storytelling in a post-pandemic landscape
- Opportunities and challenges for global travel designers, DMCs, luxury hotels, and experience-led hospitality brands engaging with a confident, outward-looking Indian market
- Practical intelligence on curating luxury travel journeys that resonate with modern Indian sensibilities — blending heritage, exclusivity, personalisation, and elevated experience design
The Winter 2022 edition marked a critical waypoint in understanding the re-emergence of the Indian luxury traveller — and the strategic shifts required to serve them with relevance, intelligence, and intent.
