SHRUTI SHIBULAL'S Tamara chain of resorts is making waves for its luxury and sustainable practices. Her company, Tamara Leisure Experiences, operates in three segments—Tamara Resorts, a five-star luxury resort; O by Tamara, upscale business hotels; and Lilac Hotels in the mid-segment. In 2023, the group launched O by Tamara in Coimbatore, its biggest launch to date, and Lilac Guruvayoor in January 2024, the first pilgrimage destination. Tamara designs its buildings in a way that reduces the impact on ecology. Also, 50% employees on its properties come from local communities. “I see value in wellness and religious travel across India. We are actively expanding within these segments across luxury and mid-segment brands,” she says. The company’s revenue was ₹107.94 crore in FY23 compared with ₹60.19 crore in FY22. In FY23, it turned operationally profitable with ₹4.3 crore profit compared to ₹20.42 crore loss in the previous year. — Rukmini Rao