'Work Trips Are No Longer Transactional': Ronan Fearon On India's Long-Stay Hospitality Boom In 2026

India's hospitality landscape is shifting in ways that would have been hard to predict even five years ago. The post-pandemic traveller is a different creature: more intentional, more willing to spend, and far less interested in the quick weekend escape that gets them back to their desk by Monday morning. Nowhere is this more visible than at the upper end of the market, where properties are no longer competing simply on thread counts and buffet spreads, but on the quality of an entire ecosystem: golf courses, spa programmes, MICE infrastructure, multi-generational experiences, and sustainability credentials that conscious travellers increasingly expect to see in practice, not just in a brochure.

In an exclusive interview with NDTV Travel, Ronan Fearon, General Manager of JW Marriott Bengaluru Prestige Golfshire Resort and Spa, talks about how India's long-stay hospitality boom is reshaping the property, what 2026 looks like for luxury leisure in the country, and how a resort of this scale balances ambition with intimacy.

Also Read: 7 Eco-Friendly Stays In India For Environment-Conscious Travellers

1. How is JW Marriott Golfshire adapting to the structural shift where domestic leisure and hybrid work travellers now drive over 85% of demand, extending stays beyond traditional vacations?

At JW Marriott Bengaluru Prestige Golfshire Resort and Spa, we have consciously evolved from being viewed purely as a weekend leisure escape to a destination that comfortably accommodates both business and extended leisure stays.

While domestic leisure and hybrid travellers form a strong demand base, we also continue to see robust corporate travel, both domestic and international, driven by our large MICE facilities and integrated event infrastructure. Many of these guests are now choosing to extend their stays, either arriving earlier or staying post-conferences to experience the resort at a more relaxed pace, and many return for leisure stays with their family as well.

The location plays a significant role in this shift. Just a 25-minute drive from Kempegowda International Airport, the resort offers immediate access without the congestion of the city. For travellers from other major cities, this quick access, along with pleasant Bengaluru weather, makes our resort an easy and compelling quick getaway. Once here, views of the Nandi Hills, expansive greens, recreation facilities, distinctive dining options and the calm of the golf course create a natural transition from business to leisure.

What has truly changed is guest intent. Work trips are no longer transactional. Guests are looking to derive more value from their time away, whether that means a round of golf after meetings, a restorative spa therapy, or simply waking up to uninterrupted views and space. Our role is to ensure that productivity and pause coexist seamlessly.

2. With rising disposable incomes fueling longer domestic trips to destinations like golf and spa retreats, what occupancy trends are you seeing for longer stays?

With rising disposable incomes, we are seeing a clear impact on how domestic guests are planning their stays at the resort. City escapes have evolved from largely one to two-night breaks to more three to four-night stays, particularly around long weekends and school holidays. Guests are choosing to spend more time within the destination rather than treating it as a short pause.

We are also witnessing stronger demand from other cities, supported by excellent air connectivity into Bengaluru and the ease of access to the resort. This has made golf and spa-led retreats more attractive for travellers looking for immersive yet convenient getaways. Golf travel, especially around tournaments and long weekends, continues to see a healthy uptick.

Another noticeable trend is higher engagement with wellness experiences and a growing preference for villas. Guests today are willing to invest more in privacy, curated service, and personalised experiences that allow them to unwind at their own pace. Overall, longer domestic stays are being driven by a desire for depth, comfort, and meaningful indulgence rather than just duration.

3. What personalised wellness, golf, or nature immersion packages are you rolling out to meet the demand for "experience-rich" long stays in 2026?

For 2026, our focus remains on creating experience-led stays that bring families and loved ones together, rather than structuring rigid long-format stays. One of our key offerings is the ‘Play or Pamper' package, which combines golf and spa, allowing guests to choose how they wish to spend their time. It works particularly well for families and couples where one may want to tee off on the championship course while the other indulges in a restorative spa experience.

Our packages are thoughtfully designed to include access to a range of activities across the resort, ensuring there is something for every age group. From golf and wellness to recreation and dining, the idea is to create opportunities for shared moments while still allowing individual preferences to be met.

The villas take this a step further. Structured as an all-inclusive experience, they come with private butler service, dedicated chauffeur, and access to curated golf and spa experiences and a lot more. Guests can truly switch off without having to think about logistics or planning. For us, that is the essence of luxury, creating space where every detail is taken care of so guests can focus entirely on rest, connection, and time well spent.

4. How does the resort cater to multi-generational family reunions or digital nomads seeking extended “reconnection” moments in a balanced market?

Being a luxury leisure resort, multi-generational travel continues to be an important segment for us, and the resort is carefully designed to accommodate it. With multiple dining venues, expansive lawns, and varied celebration spaces, families can come together for shared meals and milestone moments while still enjoying individual time. Our ‘Family by JW' initiatives ensure that younger guests are meaningfully engaged, while the entertainment zone offers interactive games and activities that appeal to teenagers and adults alike.

The diversity of experiences across the property allows every generation to find their own rhythm, whether that is a round of golf, spa therapy, a leisurely brunch, or an evening celebration overlooking the greens. The scale of the resort ensures that gatherings feel vibrant yet never crowded.

For digital nomads and extended stay guests, the appeal lies in balance. There are quiet corners, mindful zones, and serene views that make focused work comfortable and inspiring. At the same time, recreation facilities, golf, and wellness experiences are just a short walk away. This allows guests to integrate productivity with pause, creating a stay that feels both purposeful and restorative.

Also Read: 7 Pre-Independence Hotels That Still Retain Their Old-World Charm

5. How is Golfshire embedding sustainability, such as local sourcing or eco-conservation, to appeal to conscious 2026 travellers?

Sustainability at Golfshire is embedded in both design and daily operations. Our JW Garden plays an important role in sourcing fresh ingredients for our kitchens, creating a visible connection between produce and plate. We consciously prioritise local sourcing wherever possible, supporting regional producers and reducing supply chain distances, while ensuring freshness and seasonality remain central to our culinary philosophy.

Given the scale of the property, water management and landscape preservation are critical focus areas. We have invested in a sewage treatment plant to enable responsible water recycling, supporting irrigation and long-term conservation efforts. Sensor-based lighting systems help optimise energy consumption across the resort, while solar panels supplement part of our energy requirements. Our in-house water bottling plant further reduces reliance on single-use plastic and strengthens our sustainability framework.

Conscious travellers today seek authenticity and accountability. For us, sustainability is not a standalone initiative, but an ongoing commitment that safeguards the destination and ensures it remains relevant for years to come.

6. What does 2026 look like for hospitality in tier-II areas like Devanahalli, with improved air connectivity boosting regional demand?

Devanahalli and the larger North Bengaluru corridor are clearly entering a phase of accelerated growth. With the international airport as the anchor and significant infrastructure expansion underway, the region is fast emerging as a strong economic and lifestyle hub. The movement of industries, IT parks and innovation clusters into this belt is reshaping the area into a vibrant extension of the city rather than a peripheral zone.

This transformation is already influencing travel patterns. As more businesses establish a presence here, corporate travel demand is rising steadily. At the same time, we are seeing leisure getaways grow in this part of the city, driven by accessibility and the appeal of open spaces away from city congestion. The strong air connectivity into Bengaluru, combined with good road infrastructure, makes this an attractive choice for both short leisure breaks and business-linked stays.

While several hospitality brands are preparing to enter this market, we have already established ourselves as a destination for dining, celebrations, MICE, business stays, large weddings and leisure retreats. Having built credibility and recall early, we are well-positioned to support the region's next phase of growth.

Looking ahead to 2026, hospitality will play an important role in shaping the lifestyle narrative of Devanahalli. We are proud to be part of this evolution and look forward to growing alongside the region as it continues to mature.

7. How might MICE, weddings, or events evolve into hybrid long-stay formats, blending business with leisure at Golfshire?

Over the last four years, alongside being recognised as a luxury leisure resort, JW Marriott Bengaluru Prestige Golfshire has firmly positioned itself as a destination for high-profile, luxury weddings and large-format MICE gatherings. Many of these celebrations and corporate events span three to five days, reflecting how the nature of gatherings in India continues to evolve.

Indian weddings are inherently multi-event occasions, and at the luxury end of the spectrum, they extend even further, with curated dinners, themed celebrations, spa moments, golf experiences, and farewell brunches woven into the itinerary. Families and guests often travel from different cities and countries, and this extended format allows them to truly settle in, reconnect, and experience the celebration as a journey rather than a single event.

With the scale of our resort, varied venues, distinctive dining and integrated leisure offerings allow this format to work seamlessly. As business and leisure increasingly intersect, extended event-led stays are not an emerging concept for us. They are already a significant and growing part of our demand mix.

Also Read: 5 Popular Tourist Destinations In India Where You Might Find Snow Even In March

9. How is JW Marriott Golfshire differentiating long-stay packages from competitors like branded residences or boutique eco-resorts in Karnataka's growing leisure market?

JW Marriott Bengaluru Prestige Golfshire stands apart because of the sheer uniqueness of its setting and scale. There are very few destinations in India, and certainly in Karnataka, that bring together expansive green landscapes, uninterrupted hill views, a championship golf course, an award-winning spa, large indoor and outdoor event venues, and an extensive room and villa inventory within one integrated luxury ecosystem.

For leisure travellers in particular, the spread of the resort creates a sense of space that is rare. The greens, the adjacency to the golf course, and the openness of the property offer a level of calm and exclusivity that is difficult to replicate. Our luxury villas further elevate this, delivering privacy, personalised service, and a fully immersive experience for discerning guests.

At the same time, we continue to innovate. We thoughtfully incorporate regional culinary influences while maintaining international luxury standards, host guest chefs and wellness practitioners, and curate experiences aligned with globally celebrated moments and events. Backed by the service excellence and trust of the Marriott brand, we are able to deliver both consistency and creativity.

What truly differentiates us is our bandwidth. The scale of the resort allows us to cater to diverse guest expectations, from intimate leisure stays to grand celebrations and corporate gatherings, all while maintaining a high degree of personalisation. That ability to combine scale with sensitivity is what makes JW Marriott Prestige Golfshire not just another luxury resort, but a distinct destination.