Award Recognition and Event Details
Vikram Dayal Lalvani, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Sterling Holiday Resorts Limited, was honoured with the Industry Achievement Award in Indian Hospitality at the India Real Estate Leadership Conclave & Excellence Awards 2026. The ceremony, the 10th‑anniversary edition, was co‑hosted by Hurun India and GROHE Chennai and took place at ITC Grand Central in Mumbai on September 23, 2026.
Sterling Holiday Resorts – Evolution and Portfolio
Under Lalvani’s leadership, Sterling Holiday Resorts has transitioned from a vacation‑ownership‑focused company to a diversified hospitality platform that includes resorts, hotels and retreats, with leisure at its core. The portfolio now serves a broad spectrum of travel occasions, ranging from family holidays, wildlife experiences, spiritual journeys, wellness retreats, celebrations, MICE events and drive‑to escapes. The company’s growth strategy combines portfolio expansion with an asset‑right growth approach, reinforced by stronger operating systems, technology adoption, experience design and a culture that balances performance with people.
Today, Sterling operates 80 resorts across more than 66 destinations, offering over 3,800 operational rooms and suites. Its network spans hills, beaches, wildlife, heritage, spiritual, waterfront and drive‑to locations, catering to leisure travellers as well as MICE, celebrations, weddings and group travel. The firm continues to extend its presence in established leisure markets while entering emerging destinations earlier in their tourism journeys.
Strategic Philosophy – ‘Destination Architect’
Lalvani articulated that hospitality leadership is not measured solely by the number of rooms added but by the number of reasons created for people to travel. Sterling therefore looks beyond the resort to the destination itself—its landscape, culture, cuisine, wildlife, spirituality, heritage and communities—creating experiences that deepen traveller engagement. This philosophy underpins Sterling’s self‑description as a ‘Destination Architect’, which involves identifying destinations with potential, establishing credible hospitality infrastructure and building travel circuits around them.
The company emphasizes standardising service, technology, training and operating discipline to build trust, while localising experiences to create memorable stays that reflect each destination’s character.
Remarks from Vikram Lalvani
Commenting on the award, Lalvani said the recognition prompted reflection on the past but focused his view on the future, noting that Indian hospitality is entering an exciting phase as more Indians travel and their reasons for travel multiply. He highlighted Sterling’s effort to build relevance by entering destinations with potential, linking them into meaningful journeys and encouraging deeper discovery of India. He credited the teams, partners and owners for the achievement and stressed that the opportunity ahead is larger than any single company, aiming to create value for travellers, destinations, communities, partners and the industry.
Outlook and Next Chapter
The award arrives as Sterling’s next chapter is defined by the ability to combine scale with distinctiveness, growth with discipline and technology with humanity. Lalvani asserted that the future of Indian hospitality will be shaped not merely by where hotels open but by where travellers choose to go next and why.
Company Profile
Sterling Holiday Resorts Limited is a leading Indian hospitality company with a growing portfolio of 80 resorts across 66 destinations and over 3,800 operational rooms and suites. Its network spans hills, beaches, wildlife, heritage, spiritual, waterfront and drive‑to destinations, serving leisure travellers as well as MICE, celebrations, weddings and group travel. Sterling is a 100 % independently managed subsidiary of Thomas Cook (India) Limited and forms part of the Fairfax Financial Holdings Group. For bookings and further information, visit www.sterlingholidays.com.
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