India’s biggest hotel chains are betting their money on curated, luxury stays in offbeat locations, as they seek to stand out in an overcrowded travel market where traditional vacations have begun to feel ordinary.As throngs of tourist groups crowd popular destinations like Goa, Jaipur and Shimla, travel operators are racing to invest in untouched corners of the country. From dolphin watching off a tiny Arabian Sea island to hidden waterfalls in the Himalayan foothills, the focus is on capturing high-spend ...

Core Insights - The partnership between Wyndham and Ovolo aims to capitalize on the growing consumer demand for experiential travel, which is valued at $1 trillion globally, particularly among younger travelers like Gen Z [1][2] Company Overview - Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is the world's largest hotel franchising company, with approximately 8,300 hotels across around 100 countries, catering primarily to the economy and midscale segments [12] - Ovolo is recognized as a pioneer in the lifestyle hotel movement in the Asia Pacific, focusing on a culture-led brand that disrupts traditional hotel experiences [2] Partnership Details - The collaboration will integrate five existing Ovolo hotels into Wyndham's global portfolio, enhancing Wyndham's upscale presence in the Asia Pacific region [2] - The five Ovolo hotels, located in Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, and Hong Kong, will add over 450 rooms to Wyndham's offerings and will be incorporated into Wyndham's sales, marketing, and distribution platforms [2][3] Hotel Features - Each Ovolo hotel embodies a service ethos of FUN (fabulous, unconventional, never boring), featuring bold designs, immersive art, and unique experiences [4] - Specific hotels include: - **Ovolo Central**: A 41-room boutique hotel in Hong Kong's central district, emphasizing modern amenities and natural light [4] - **Ovolo Nishi**: An 85-room hotel in Canberra known for its unique design and vintage pieces [5] - **Ovolo South Yarra**: A 123-room hotel in Melbourne that combines contemporary conveniences with mid-century flair [6] - **Ovolo The Valley**: A 103-room hotel in Brisbane celebrating art and music culture [7] - **Ovolo Woolloomooloo**: A 100-room waterfront hotel in Sydney with modern essentials and stunning views [9] Loyalty Program Integration - The Ovolo hotels will participate in the Wyndham Rewards® loyalty program, providing approximately 120 million enrolled members access to Ovolo's unique hospitality experiences [3] Growth Strategy - Wyndham's growth in the Asia Pacific is supported by the Wyndham Advantage, which includes nearly $350 million in technology investments since 2018, enhancing owners' access to advanced property management systems and a top-rated hotel rewards program [10]