Sterling Holiday Resorts, is preparing for significant growth in the financial year 2025-26 with plans to introduce at least fourteen new resorts across various locations in India. This expansion underscores the company’s ambition to strengthen its market presence and capture a larger share of the flourishing domestic leisure travel industry.
Currently, Sterling operates a portfolio of sixty-one resorts throughout India, with an additional twenty properties under development. These upcoming resorts are expected to enhance the company’s reach in popular vacation destinations, catering to the rising demand for quality leisure accommodations among travelers.
A key highlight of Sterling’s recent performance is the marked increase in its average room rates. Before the pandemic, the average rate per room ranged between three thousand and three thousand five hundred Indian Rupees, approximately thirty-five to forty US dollars. This figure has nearly doubled, now averaging around six thousand two hundred Indian Rupees, or about seventy-two US dollars per night. This rise reflects both improving market conditions and a strategic move toward higher-value segments.
The company is shifting its focus from primarily midscale accommodations to targeting the upper midscale and upscale categories. This move aims to deliver upgraded guest experiences through enhanced facilities and premium services, attracting travelers who seek greater comfort and luxury. The strategy also seeks to improve revenue per available room and overall profitability.
This repositioning aligns with wider industry trends, as modern travelers increasingly prioritize personalized and experience-rich stays over standard lodging. Sterling’s commitment to upgrading its resorts demonstrates its adaptation to these evolving customer preferences.
Beyond Sterling’s resort operations, the parent company has reported strong growth across its broader travel services. Overall travel revenues have increased by fifteen percent year-over-year, reflecting a robust recovery driven by pent-up travel demand and the easing of pandemic-related restrictions.
Leisure travel has been a particularly strong contributor, expanding by twenty percent during the fiscal year. On the domestic front, the company successfully managed large group and customized travel arrangements related to major cultural events such as the Mahakumbh festival, showcasing its capacity for complex travel coordination.
Internationally, the company offered curated tours during peak travel periods like Japan’s Cherry Blossom season, attracting travelers interested in cultural immersion and natural beauty. These programs highlight the company’s growing expertise in experiential tourism, catering to clients seeking meaningful and authentic journeys.
