India is not just incredible but increasingly irresistible to travellers: JW Marriott’s Ronan Fearon

Ronan Fearon- General Manager, JW Marriott Bengaluru Prestige Golfshire Resort & Spa

After decades of experience across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, Ronan Fearon, General Manager of JW Marriott Bengaluru Prestige Golfshire Resort & Spa, has found a new canvas in India’s evolving luxury travel landscape. In an exclusive conversation with Moneycontrol.com, Fearon shares why India is not just incredible but increasingly irresistible to global and domestic travellers alike. From mindful hospitality to sustainability, cultural immersion to curated wellness, he speaks about the opportunities, challenges, and his vision for the future of high-end travel in the country.

"India is incredibly unique, it has so much to offer in terms of culture, heritage, and the sheer diversity of experiences,” Fearon says. Having led operations across continents, he finds India’s ability to combine spiritual calm, wildlife adventures, regal history, and bustling cities unlike any other destination.

“While luxury in Europe or the Middle East often means sleek, polished service, what is special about India is that luxury here is not just about indulgence, it’s about connection,” he reflects.

According to Fearon, India’s tourism economy is still growing, with vast untapped potential. “We need to continue making travel easier, through more direct flight connectivity, smoother visa processes, and improved last-mile infrastructure,” he notes, while applauding initiatives like e-visas and Swadesh Darshan.

“India is attracting a very different kind of traveler today,” says Fearon, describing how the nation is transitioning from an offbeat pick for seasoned explorers to a first-choice destination for culturally aware global tourists. He also sees a surge in domestic luxury seekers.

“Places that were once under the radar are now seeing strong demand for boutique stays, heritage experiences, and wellness retreats,” he adds, citing how even Bengaluru, traditionally a business hub, is now catering to ‘bleisure’ travellers.

Fearon believes that southern India is leading the charge in redefining luxury travel. With its air connectivity and cultural wealth, the region has become a magnet for travellers looking beyond the usual hotspots.

“From the royal heritage of Mysuru and the coffee plantations of Coorg to the serene backwaters of Kerala, southern India offers a spectrum of experiences, all within easy reach,” he says. At his own property, Fearon ensures that guests go beyond the ordinary. “The resort is designed to encourage mindful exploration, be it through garden-to-glass mixology sessions, wellness rituals overlooking Nandi Hills, or golf paired with regional culinary experiences.”

Having previously led launches in Mauritius and Dubai, Fearon praises the nuanced approach of Indian luxury resorts. “It’s a resort that truly exploits the beauty of the nature around it... yet incredibly well connected to the city,” he says of JW Marriott Bengaluru Prestige Golfshire.

More importantly, he highlights the power of Indian hospitality: “Atithi Devo Bhava is more than a philosophy, it’s ingrained in how we serve... Guests don’t just visit, they feel seen, cared for, and remembered.”

Looking ahead, he calls for expanding India’s luxury map: “Not just more hotels, but more meaningful, elevated experiences... through storytelling, design, and curated journeys.”

Fearon is passionate about making local culture an intrinsic part of the guest experience. “Luxury today has moved beyond white gloves and silver teapots. It’s now defined by care, attention, and deep personalisation,” he states.

At JW Marriott Bengaluru Prestige Golfshire, this manifests through everything, from “traditional South Indian breakfasts prepared by regional chefs” to design cues inspired by “silk-inspired textures and references to Nandi Hills.” At their sister property, Mulberry Shades in Nandi Hills, cultural immersion runs even deeper, drawing on regional architecture and indigenous wellness practices.

“Modern luxury is no longer about excess, it’s about essence,” he adds.

No longer just a substitute for international tourism, domestic luxury travel is now setting new benchmarks. “From younger, globally exposed guests seeking authenticity to wellness-focused travellers across age groups, domestic tourism is no longer filling gaps, it is setting new standards,” Fearon asserts.

He notes the growing preference for “private villas, curated culinary journeys, and a growing appreciation for sustainability.” With blended travel becoming the norm, resorts like his are becoming destinations in themselves. “What used to be considered a getaway is now the preferred way to travel. The Indian traveller today wants both the hustle and the hammock.”

Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword at JW Marriott Bengaluru Prestige Golfshire, it’s a daily practice. “From the resort’s design, which carefully preserves the local ecosystem, to daily practices like drastically reducing single-use plastics... we are committed to minimizing our environmental footprint,” he says.

Their in-house water bottling plant, solar-powered infrastructure, and organic gardens exemplify how luxury can align with responsibility. “Being sustainable does not mean sacrificing luxury, it means redefining it to be mindful, authentic, and future-ready,” he explains.

Of all the destinations he has explored in India, Ranthambore, Kochi, Udaipur, Hampi, one continues to move him deeply: the Taj Mahal.

“Although it is part of the popular Golden Triangle tour, the beauty and emotion it inspires go far beyond the usual tourist experience... it was a deeply moving and almost surreal moment, an encounter with history and artistry that very few places in the world can offer,” he reflects.

Ronan Fearon believes India has all the right ingredients to become one of the world’s top luxury travel destinations, uniqueness, depth, culture, and community. What it needs now is to bring all of that together with intention, creativity, and collaboration. And in his words, “India is no longer just incredible, it is becoming irresistible.”