The pandemic changed life as we knew it and affected every sector, especially travel and tourism. However, while it was a challenge for the sector at large, for Mahindra Holidays, it became an opportunity to think out-of-the-box and innovate. While the sector has been limping back to normalcy, Mahindra Holidays was able to sustain higher occupancies and membership additions, given their resilient business model. Here is how they aced it.

The 5C framework

The response that Kavinder Singh, Mahindra Holidays’ MD & CEO, had to the Covid-19 pandemic was the 5C framework — Compassion, Creative Restlessness, Customer Connect, Conserve and Capability — that helped them tide over uncertain times. Mahindra Holidays’ unique business model, combined with the fact that it is a zero-debt organisation, also helped ensure resilience.

Club Mahindra ‘Safe Stay’ and ‘Travel with Confidence’ initiative

The resorts were reopened in September 2020, with occupancy at 75 per cent as well as 85 per cent in the fourth quarter. What was commendable was that this was before vaccinations had even begun. So, what did Mahindra Holidays do differently? It introduced the ‘Travel with Confi-dence’ initiative to assure travellers through a range of measures including Covid insurance, travel insurance, Covid testing, and car sanitation services. These solutions ensured that members could take a hassle-free, well-deserved holiday to relax and rejuvenate.

Club Mahindra also launched the ’Safe Stay’ programme whereby people ensured that guests and members could create magical memories with utmost safety even during tough times. They pioneered safe holidays by obtaining the highest level of certification in safety and hygiene standards from ‘Bureau Veritas’ — the global leader in testing and inspection.

Now, with the vaccination drive and 80 per cent of its resorts being located at drivable distances, Mahindra Holidays is confident of occupancy rates reaching above 85 per cent once again.   

The brand of choice for family vacations

The pandemic and subsequent lockdown meant travel restrictions, among other things. However, people’s desire to explore, experience different things, connect with family and friends as well as their need to belong to a community of like-minded individuals who love to travel and discover new destinations and experiences, reflects upon the pent-up demand to step out and travel. Club Mahindra has been the preferred brand for family vacations with 2,000+ unique experiences. The company’s strategic investment in Rocksport has also helped enhance the outdoor experience offering at the resorts. Club Mahindra members and their families have been able to access the specially curated Rocksport programmes.

Pristine locations

To offer newer destinations and relatively unexplored experiences, the company added 10 new resorts. These resorts which are located at Jaipur (Rajasthan); Arookutty (Kerala); Assonora (Goa); Port Blair, Havelock and Neil Islands (Andaman and Nicobar Islands); Netrang (Gujarat); Alibaug (Maharashtra); and Ranthambore and Mount Abu (Rajasthan); offer select experiences like lush greens, a mini water-themed park with a lazy river, adventure and water sports, heritage and cul-ture, nature, wildlife, local culinary experiences, open serene places and much more.

No one covers India like Club Mahindra

With properties across mountains, islands, heritage cities, beaches, forests and backwaters, Club Mahindra is present across India with over 70+ resorts, leaving no doubt that no one covers India like them.

No slowing down at Mahindra Holidays

The pandemic hasn’t slowed down Mahindra Holidays’ growth and expansion strategy — it plans to add close to 1,500 rooms in the next few years through a mix of managed and leased resorts. The focus is on western and eastern India and international markets as well — there are 10 resorts in Dubai, Bangkok, Phuket, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur, among other destinations.

Find out how domestic leisure tourism is set to change.

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