RARE India eyes North American growth following investment

RARE India is looking to increase the visibility of its RARE Collection portfolio of boutique hotels in North America following an investment by India-based SAMHI Hotels.

The expansion comes amid growing demand for experiential travel in India, Nepal and Bhutan.

RARE India founder Shoba Rudra continues to lead the business and will host the ninth annual BRIDGES for Conscious Travel conference at The Imperial Hotel in Delhi from Sept. 16-18, 2026.

The three-day event will introduce delegates to hotels within the collection, including properties led by pioneers in ecotourism and conscious travel.

BRIDGES focuses on conscious, sustainable, slow and meaningful travel. 

It brings together hoteliers, travel designers, conservationists, storytellers, policymakers and others working in tourism.

The conference is open to travel advisors and tour operators from around the world, particularly those interested in promoting sustainable travel. 

International operators interested in attending are encouraged to contact their local partners or destination management companies for more information.

Pre- and post-conference familiarization trips will also be available, featuring accommodations and experiences offered by participating hotel groups.

“When attending BRIDGES, delegates will have the opportunity to hear stories from our hoteliers firsthand, and to network with thought leaders in conscious travel, some of whom will be guest speakers at the ‘Catalyst’ talks taking place on the opening day," said Rudra.

“The RARE Collection’s properties champion a distinct way of experiencing travel through community, art, culture, gastronomy and sustainability, and this event brings these concepts to life as attendees form lasting relationships with the people and places delivering experiences to guests.

“We believe tourism's primary beneficiary must be the community, while remaining true to the destination. This continues to be a strong theme for BRIDGES in 2026 and is increasingly important and relevant today."

Attendees will meet hoteliers from The RARE Collection as well as representatives of other design-led hotels, palaces, forts, wildlife lodges and retreats focused on destination discovery and sustainable travel.

Scheduled speakers include Amanda Ho, co-founder and CEO of Regenerative Travel; Arati Rao, author of Marginlands: Indian Landscapes on the Brink; Atul Khanna, founder of Vivaana Heritage Hotels and Mahesh Natarajan, CEO of Ananda in the Himalayas.

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