Homestay Venture Launched by Taj with Ama Trails & Stays
Taj Group's Homestay Brand, Ama Trails & Stays, Expands Across India
Taj Group's homestay brand, Ama Trails & Stays, is growing under the Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) as part of its strategic focus on emerging trends like wellness tourism and experiential travel. The brand, which falls under IHCL's New Businesses vertical, grew enterprise revenue by 41% to INR 802 crores, underscoring its significance as a strategic growth engine rather than just experimental ventures.
IHCL has signed a management contract for nine heritage bungalows with Tata Coffee in Coorg and Chikmagalur, marking the expansion of Ama Trails & Stays. Eight of these bungalows are located in and around the Pollibetta coffee estate in Coorg, with one bungalow a few hours' drive in scenic Chikmagalur. The bungalows offer tours of the plantation, birding opportunities with 300 bird species, and golf, providing guests with an immersive plantation experience.
Ama Trails & Stays emphasises immersive, local cultural experiences in scenic rural or plantation settings, aimed at wellness and nature lovers who seek experiential travel beyond traditional hotels. The brand's offerings include curated trails through plantation landscapes, allowing guests to explore agricultural heritage, nature walks, and learn about local flora, merging leisure with educational and wellness activities.
The Ama Homestays likely provide authentic, homely stays managed by locals, offering personalised hospitality with an emphasis on comfort, local cuisine, and cultural immersion. Ama Homestays will commence operations with two units in Candolim, Goa, and two more bungalows will be added in Goa by mid-next year under the AMA umbrella.
Bookings for Ama Trails & Stays are now open, effective from March 1, 2019. Guests can earn and burn loyalty points through the Taj InnerCircle Loyalty Programme at Ama Trails & Stays. The upcoming Goa bungalows will operate under the AMA umbrella, adding to the group of heritage bungalows, guesthouses, and homestays at unique locations across India.
In summary, Ama Trails & Stays is a growing strategic brand under Taj’s portfolio focused on experiential and wellness travel, with expansion aligned to IHCL’s broader growth goals. Its unique offerings at Ama Plantation Trails and Ama Homestays centre on immersive plantation experiences, nature trails, and authentic local hospitality blending culture and comfort. However, specific expansion details and a comprehensive list of unique amenities were not provided by the current sources.
- The travel industry is witnessing growth with Taj Group's homestay brand, Ama Trails & Stays, expanding across India, offering authentic, home-like stays (homestays) with local hospitality and immersive cultural experiences.
- The Ama Trails & Stays business is a significant strategic growth engine for the Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), demonstrating success with an 41% increase in enterprise revenue, indicating its potential in the finance landscape (finance).
- As part of the broader business strategy, Ama Trails & Stays is moving towards plantation-based lifestyle destinations, with homestays, guesest houses, and heritage bungalows across India, furthermore appealing to nature and wellness enthusiasts (lifestyle, home-and-garden, business, travel).
