Mastercard, in collaboration with Invest India and with support from the Ministry of Tourism, has introduced an enhanced version of its global priceless program in India, which offers personalised travel and hospitality experiences in more than 40 countries around the world.
With the relaunch of priceless.com in India, Mastercard will provide exclusive access to culturally rich, gastronomical, and wellness experiences to its cardholders in cities such as Delhi, Agra, Jodhpur, Dehradun, Pune, and more. The company currently offers 40 priceless experiences in India and plans to expand in due course of time.
The company said the initiative aims to promote tourism as a significant contributor to India’s growing economy and boost inbound tourists to India as well. The priceless program currently offers over 2,000 curated experiences across various passion points to Mastercard cardholders in more than 40 countries and 60+ cities.
According to the Mastercard Economics Institute’s Travel Industry Trends 2023, consumer spending on experiences at travel destinations has surged by 65 per cent compared to March 2019, reflecting pent-up demand for travel. Mastercard’s program, supported by the Ministry of Tourism, not only aligns with India’s ‘Dekho Apna Desh’ initiative but also provides an opportunity for both local and international travel enthusiasts to immerse themselves in the country’s diverse heritage.
At the launch ceremony in Delhi, Raja Rajamannar, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer and President, Healthcare, Mastercard, expressed his gratitude for the support from the Ministry of Tourism and Invest India in evolving priceless.com for today’s travellers.
The investment entails the identification and development of new tourist destinations in every district of the state. The initiative includes restoration and conservation efforts for two distinct tourist spots in each district including Alwar, Ajmer, Bhilwara, Bundi, Bharatpur, Banswara, Dungarpur, Jodhpur, among others. The projects are already in progress and are supported by the Tourism Development Fund.
He highlighted that the program offers a contemporary perspective on India’s rich history and diverse culture, aligning with current travel trends. “It enables both Indian and international visitors to explore their passions while appreciating India’s beauty, offering detailed itineraries across the country to discover hidden gems in various states,” he said. Along with Rajamannar, the launch event was attended by Manisha Saxena, Director General, Ministry of Tourism; Gautam Aggarwal, Division President, South Asia at Mastercard; Nivruti Rai, CEO, Invest India and renowned lyricist Prasoon Joshi.
