It’s homecoming for Candice D’Cruz, Vice President of Luxury Brands at Hilton, Asia Pacific, as the expanding portfolio of luxury properties at Hilton and the rapidly evolving market in India bring her frequently to the country for shaping the growth momentum in the region.
Click the link in the bio to read the full article 🔗
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#PEAKLIFE #PEAKLIFEMagazine #PLPersonalities #readnow #knowmore #followformore
Wow! What. A. Night.
When the nominations were annnounced about a fortnight ago, I was humbled and thrilled to be amongst some industry heavyweights; individuals whom I have admired, and continue to be inspired by.
And then last night at the Award Show to actually win… well, it was something I wasn’t expecting but I remain deeply thankful for this great honour @hotelierme
To all my trailblazer women out there, this one’s for us!
#womeninhospitality #trailblazers #womenleaders
Spending time in conversation with Jamal Shaikh is always a reminder of how quickly the narrative of luxury in India is evolving.
For decades, influenced by a more restrained mindset, wealth was held quietly and luxury existed but was not on display. Today, a younger, more expressive India is engaging with global luxury in new ways.
They are moving from:
Buying to show you have arrived → Buying because it resonates with you
Key takeaways from our conversation:
• Luxury in India starts at a higher baseline; what is exceptional elsewhere is often expected here
• Indian consumers expect brands to understand cultural nuance and local preferences, not apply global templates
• India is a complex, diverse market with multiple definitions of luxury across regions and audiences
• Growing pride in Indian identity means consumers respond to brands that acknowledge and integrate culture meaningfully
India is not just consuming luxury; it is beginning to shape it.
Thank you, Jamal, for the insight and perspective.
LINK TO FULL EPISODE IN MY BIO
#india #indialuxurytravel #incredibleindia🇮🇳 #luxury
TikTok is now a travel agent 👀
Because Gen Z isn’t planning trips the way we used to.
They’re not reading guides.
They’re not Googling “best hotels in Paris.”
They’re not calling travel agents.
They’re scrolling TikTok at 11pm and booking based on a30-second video.
“Best rooftop bars in Barcelona”
“Hidden beaches locals actually go to”
“Where to eat in Lisbon that isn’t touristy”
Real people. Real phones. Real moments.
Luxury brands built their entire world on control.
Perfectly lit campaigns.
Magazine spreads that took months.
Brand guidelines thicker than a novel.
But TikTok doesn’t care about any of that.
It runs on:
- Authenticity over perfection
- Speed over polish
- Real experiences over staged moments
And younger travellers? They trust it more.
They want to see someone actually walk through the hotel lobby.
Actually taste the food.
Actually show what the view looks like from the room.
Not the brochure version.
The real one.
So luxury brands are stuck with a tough question:
How do you stay aspirational while also being discoverable where people are actually searching?
Because discovery isn’t happening in glossy magazines anymore.
It’s happening in feeds.
And if you’re not there... your competitor will be.
The entire journey has changed.
Not just the channel.
Curious if you’re seeing this shift in your industry too 👀
Luxury buying habits are changing fast
In fact, if I am honest with you, I think purchasing is changing FULL STOP at the moment.
And that’s exactly what I got to discuss when I interviewed
Candice D’Cruz VP of Luxury Brands, Asia Pacific at Hilton, at Shoptalk Luxe.
The biggest trend, is one of my favourites!
“Wellness is just getting started.”
Not a spa add-on.
Not a marketing gimmick.
A structural shift in how people are travelling.
Wellness holidays are also being driven largely by SOLO travellers.
And women are the drivers!
Women are investing in themselves.
Travelling alone.
Prioritising health and mental wellbeing.
And it’s only going to get bigger.
Candice gave the simplest example.
Table for one.
So many restaurants are still set up by default for two.
But what happens when solo travel is no longer the exception... it’s the norm?
Luxury travel companies can no longer treat this like a tick-box exercise.
Pre-arrival communication
Dining experiences
Safety and service design
Room layouts
Programming
Personalisation
Because consumer behaviour has changed. Full STOP.
So if you are in luxury, retail, hospitality or any brand for that matter...
Are you designing for who your customer used to be?
Or who they are becoming?
Because this isn’t just about hotels.
It’s about how brands...
Market themselves!
Structure their digital comms!
Build loyalty!
Design experiences!
Create emotional connection!
Because buying today is not just about price.
It’s about feeling understood.
And also, as a little add on... as we head into International Women’s Day this week...
I love that women are driving this category.
Because buying today is not just about price.
It’s about feeling understood.
And also, as a little add on... as we head into International Women’s Day this week...
I love that women are driving this category.
Investing in wellness.
Choosing solo travel.
Prioritising themselves.
That is economic power shifting.
The brands that recognise it early?
They will win.
So I’ll ask you...
Are you watching your customers’ behaviour closely enough?
If not maybe it’s time too? 👀
Another year around the sun ✨
Grateful to be celebrating after a busy, rewarding year with the people who matter most. Family time is the best reset, the best reminder, and the best fuel.
According to my daughter, I run on batteries so this birthday is officially about recharging, renewing energy, and maybe even hitting turbo mode ⚡️😄
Feeling thankful, grounded, and ready for what’s next.
Another year around the sun with you… How lucky are we to watch you grow and shine brighter each day. Happy birthday, our darling boy ❤️
May you continue to be a joy to everyone around you and fill our hearts with love, laughter, and wonder.
We love you so much! 🤗😘😘🧿
#3yearsold #babyboy #fullofbeans #mymostprecious
#latepost
I can’t believe we’re already halfway through summer and the year!
This year’s time away from the office needed to be a quick flight (no need for air miles!) and a no-agenda holiday (for those who know me, know I love a plan!).
From jumping into an unheated pool at my mini-me’s request, to strolling on the beach at sunset, to piggyback racing between mama and dada, and the ultimate midday snoozing by the pool, it was just the kind of mental downtime the doctor could prescribe.
While I came back recharged and renewed, writing this post reminded me how we often yearn for simple pleasures in our thousand-mile-an-hour days!
#familia #mymostprecious #familytime
Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing moms out there!
I couldn’t think of life without my kiddos - the love, the cuddles, the chaos and plenty of negotiations! ☺️✨
Our celebrations started off this weekend with the cutest surprise: my baby boy came home with his very first card! And this morning, waking up, I couldn’t help but reminded of how quickly they grow up. My mini-me went all out, making me tons of cards, even a special portrait of us. She insisted on doing everything for me, saying it was the one day to show her love and respect. Let’s see how many years of sweet gestures like these continue! 😃
#motherhood
What a wonderful few days and feel so happy that we could be part of all the celebrations.
Congratulations to the newly weds @saadhvimehra@karanbadola and wishing you a lifetime of love & happiness! 🎉🤗
And thank you @anjalimehra17 and Sameer for having us. ❤️ Eva was especially delighted to be Indian for all the dressing up! 😅 You have raised the bar very high for her now for any Indian celebration to come 🤗
#saadhvikaranki
