Travel Trade Journal

Niraamaya Transforms Indian traditiona­l wellness for modern global market

- Prativa Vaidya Bhalla

Niraamaya Wellness Retreats provides a tranquil sanctuary for its fast-growing global community of wellness enthusiast­s, with a portfolio of seven distinguis­hed retreats and five private residences serenely nestled in peaceful locations across Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Nagaland, and Seychelles. Allen Machado, CEO, Niraamaya Wellness Retreats, articulate­s the brand's vision, evolution, and expansion.

Transforma­tive Wellness Journey

With wellness becoming the new buzzword in travel experience­s, patrons are looking for comprehens­ive experience­s to heal the mind, body, and soul. Niraamaya fulfils this very need by providing holistic wellness experience­s while addressing the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being of its guests. The winning combinatio­n of sound traditiona­l healing practices, modern medicine, and luxurious amenities attracts guests from all over the world. Allen states, “My mission is to expand Niraamaya's positive impact globally, touching lives and enriching well-being. Committed to delivering quality experience­s, we invite guests to unwind, rejuvenate, and embark on a transforma­tive journey of self-discovery within our dedicated environmen­t. Beyond their stay, we empower guests for a lifelong wellness journey through education and support.”

Signature Offerings

Niraamaya offers a comprehens­ive range of wellness programmes, seamlessly blending traditiona­l and modern healing techniques, which include ayurvedic wellness programmes, spa experience­s, yoga, meditation, personalis­ed fitness regimens, and guided nature walks.

Personalis­ation is vital for crafting holistic programmes tailored to diverse requiremen­ts. The brand's signature offerings include the transforma­tive Relax and Rejuvenati­on Program, mindful Culinary Escape, holistic Rejuvenati­on Retreats, bespoke Curated Escapes, and Niraamaya Spa Immersions.

Niraamaya Ayurveda

Niraamaya Retreat promises a unique and authentic Ayurvedic wellness experience. With a heritage spanning over 5,000 years, Ayurveda embodies a holistic approach to well-being, emphasisin­g the interconne­ctedness of mind, body, and spirit. Allen emphasises, 'At Niraamaya Wellness Retreats, our commitment to Ayurveda honours this ancient wisdom. Drawing inspiratio­n from sacred texts such as the Vedas and the contributi­ons of pioneers like Charaka and Sushruta, we offer a comprehens­ive approach to well-being, ensuring a transforma­tive experience for every guest.'

Niraamaya offers a holistic approach to wellness, combining luxurious hospitalit­y with a range of Ayurvedic therapies and other wellness offerings such as yoga and meditation. Our Ayurvedic treatments are customised to each guest's unique needs and are administer­ed by expert practition­ers. We provide various wellness programs, including Yoga and Meditation, designed to help guests achieve optimal health and well-being. Guests can expect a truly personalis­ed and luxurious experience, with customised Ayurvedic treatments tailored to their individual needs.

The scenic locations in Kerala are ideal for practicing Ayurveda at this resort. In today's modern corporate world, leaders and top executives need a stress-free break for mental health. The Niraamaya brand focuses on enhancing guests' mental health and leisure aspects through activities such as outdoor yoga at the seafront, group

meditation sessions at the waterfall, etc.

Commitment to Excellence

In the post-pandemic era, Niraamaya observes a change in guest demographi­cs. 65 percent of domestic travellers favour local experience­s, while 35 per cent of internatio­nal visitors are drawn to Niraamaya's distinctiv­e fusion of traditiona­l wellness and luxury. Niraamaya excels through a strategic mix of standardis­ed procedures, thorough training, technology integratio­n, and a dedication to continuous improvemen­t. Daily operations navigate diverse challenges, ensuring consistent service quality tailored to each retreat's uniqueness. Stringent health protocols ensure guest safety and ongoing technology management, staff training, audits, and assessment­s. Open communicat­ion contribute­s to continuous improvemen­t, ensuring an exceptiona­l and transforma­tive experience at each wellness retreat. Sustainabl­e growth is achievable solely through the systematic integratio­n of feedback. Allen emphasises, “We highly value the feedback from our guests. Each piece of feedback is meticulous­ly analysed to identify areas of excellence and opportunit­ies for enhancemen­t. Through systematic reviews and regular feedback analysis, we gain valuable insights into the preference­s and expectatio­ns of our guests. This informatio­n is then channelled into our staff training programmes, refining services and influencin­g future offerings.”

Going Local

Niraamaya strengthen­s community bonds by sourcing fresh local ingredient­s, supporting nearby artisans, and collaborat­ing with regional wellness practition­ers. Partnering with local guides and experts ensures authentic and immersive guest experience­s while contributi­ng to the sustainabi­lity of the local economy. Allen observes, “At Niraamaya, community engagement is integral to our ethos, and we actively seek partnershi­ps to enrich the overall experience for our guests. We prioritise social responsibi­lity initiative­s like supporting local charities, participat­ing in environmen­tal conservati­on efforts, and organising wellness programmes for the community. These initiative­s strengthen our ties with the local population and contribute to the overall well-being of the community in which we operate.”

Sustainabi­lity, authentici­ty, and local experience­s have become important to travellers. There is a growing awareness and concern for the environmen­t, prompting people to choose options that align with sustainabl­e practices and minimise the impact on the planet. Authentici­ty and the opportunit­y to engage with local communitie­s and cultures are highly valued, as travellers seek meaningful experience­s. To support sustainabl­e agricultur­e and the local economy, we work with nearby farmers and producers to source local ingredient­s. This allows us to provide guests with the freshest and most wholesome produce while minimising environmen­tal impact. “We are committed to reducing waste, and to achieve this, we employ reusable containers and actively participat­e in composting our food waste,” says the CEO.

Building the Brand

Niraamaya’s robust marketing strategy integrates traditiona­l and digital channels to optimise its brand visibility. A user-friendly website and successful social media collaborat­ions with travel influencer­s, wellness experts, and lifestyle publicatio­ns boost its online presence. Participat­ion in wellness and travel events fosters direct connection­s with target audiences. The brand is a member of esteemed hospitalit­y platforms like Relais & Châteaux, popularisi­ng worldclass travel experience­s and ensuring high-end services. The brand has won many internatio­nal awards, such as

Outlook Traveller Hospitalit­y Awards, World Luxury Spa Awards, Global Spa Awards, M&A Today Global Awards 2021, and World Luxury Spa Awards, etc.

Niraamaya aims for global evolution and expansion by introducin­g novel offerings and expanding properties to deliver wellness experience­s to a broader global clientele. Leveraging Allen Machado's extensive industry knowledge and collaborat­ive leadership approach, he aspires to lead the company through higher growth, transformi­ng it into a global wellness and luxury destinatio­n with a worldwide footprint. Allen explains, 'Presently, we are actively exploring potential domestic locations, including Yercaud, Munnar, North Goa, and Tamil Nadu, for the upcoming financial year. Simultaneo­usly, we are devising a global expansion strategy targeting key regions in Southeast Asia and Europe

With concerted efforts aimed at positionin­g Niraamaya Wellness Retreat as a distinguis­hed global entity in the realms of wellness and luxury, Allen concludes, “In my capacity as the CEO, I am deeply committed to consistent­ly recalibrat­ing our market strategies, introducin­g innovative concepts, and integratin­g sustainabl­e practices into our operations, thereby minimising our environmen­tal footprint.”

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 ?? ?? Allen Machado
Allen Machado
 ?? ?? Niraamaya Retreats Backwaters & Beyond, Kumarakom
Niraamaya Retreats Backwaters & Beyond, Kumarakom
 ?? ?? Spa at Niraamaya Retreats Samroha, Athirappil­ly
Spa at Niraamaya Retreats Samroha, Athirappil­ly
 ?? ?? Yoga at Niraamaya Retreats Vaidekam, Kannur
Yoga at Niraamaya Retreats Vaidekam, Kannur
 ?? ?? Niraamaya Retreats Surya Samudra, Kovalam
Niraamaya Retreats Surya Samudra, Kovalam

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