The Global Association of Events & Hospitality Professionals (GAEHP) successfully organised the 8th edition of its LEAPtrip (Learn • Engage • Assess • Promote), bringing together 40 travel, tourism and hospitality professionals from across India for an exclusive Familiarisation (FAM) Trip in Varanasi on 25–26 July 2026. The two-day programme aimed to provide tourism professionals with first-hand experience of one of India’s most distinctive hospitality offerings while promoting Varanasi as a premier destination for cultural, spiritual and experiential tourism.
Hosted at Gangotri – A Divine River Retreat, a luxury floating hotel on the banks of the River Ganges, the LEAPtrip combined immersive cultural experiences, hospitality exposure and destination promotion, reinforcing GAEHP’s commitment to strengthening collaboration between the travel trade and the hospitality industry.
LEAPtrip Highlights Luxury Floating Hospitality Experience
The eighth edition of GAEHP’s flagship LEAPtrip programme was hosted at Gangotri – A Divine River Retreat, one of Varanasi’s unique hospitality properties featuring 24 elegantly designed guest rooms. Located on the sacred River Ganges, the floating hotel offers visitors an opportunity to experience luxury accommodation while remaining closely connected to the city’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage.
The familiarisation trip was designed around GAEHP’s philosophy of enabling travel professionals to personally experience tourism products before recommending them to clients. By directly interacting with destinations, accommodation facilities and local experiences, participants gain a deeper understanding of tourism offerings that can be effectively promoted to domestic and international travellers.
Immersive Experiences Showcase the Spiritual Soul of Varanasi
During the two-day programme, participants explored some of Varanasi’s most iconic cultural and spiritual attractions through a carefully curated itinerary. The delegation witnessed the world-renowned Ganga Aarti, one of India’s most celebrated religious ceremonies held daily on the banks of the River Ganges.
Members also participated in an early morning yoga session, followed by a spectacular sunrise experience from the deck of Gangotri, allowing them to observe the city’s spiritual atmosphere as pilgrims gathered along the ghats. These experiences provided participants with valuable insights into Varanasi’s appeal as a destination for leisure tourism, pilgrimage, wellness travel and authentic cultural experiences.
Malviya Family Recognised for Exceptional Hospitality
Throughout the programme, the visiting delegation was hosted by the Malviya family, including Vikas Malviya, Vivek Malviya and Jayant Malviya, together with the dedicated team at Gangotri – A Divine River Retreat. GAEHP members praised the hosts for their warm hospitality, meticulous planning and personalised service, which ensured a memorable experience for all participants. The organisers noted that the attention to detail and commitment demonstrated by the Gangotri team reflected the high standards of hospitality that continue to position Varanasi as an attractive destination for premium tourism.
Authentic Culinary Experience Completes Familiarisation Tour
The LEAPtrip concluded on 26 July with an authentic dining experience at Shree Shivay Thali Dining, one of Varanasi’s renowned traditional restaurants. Founded by Piyush Verma, the restaurant is widely recognised for its unlimited traditional thali, offering guests an opportunity to experience the rich culinary heritage of the region through a variety of authentic local dishes served in a welcoming atmosphere. Organisers described the culinary experience as a fitting conclusion to the programme, allowing participants to appreciate another important aspect of Varanasi’s tourism offering beyond its religious and historical significance.
Promoting Integrated Tourism Experiences
According to GAEHP, the familiarisation programme demonstrated how Gangotri – A Divine River Retreat and Shree Shivay Thali Dining together provide a unique combination of luxury accommodation, cultural immersion, spirituality and authentic local hospitality.
The association believes these complementary tourism products create compelling experiences for both domestic and international travellers seeking meaningful and immersive visits to one of India’s oldest living cities. By experiencing these products firsthand, tourism professionals are better equipped to promote Varanasi as a multidimensional destination catering to heritage tourism, spiritual journeys, luxury travel and experiential holidays.
GAEHP President Highlights Importance of First-Hand Experience
Speaking on the occasion, Rajesh Arya, President of GAEHP, said the LEAPtrip initiative continues to create meaningful value for both association members and hospitality partners. He noted that firsthand experience enables travel professionals to become stronger ambassadors for destinations and tourism products, allowing them to provide more informed recommendations to clients. Arya also expressed appreciation to the management of Gangotri – A Divine River Retreat and Shree Shivay Thali Dining for their exceptional hospitality, describing the eighth edition of LEAPtrip as another successful milestone for the association.
Strong Coordination Behind the Programme
The event was conceptualised and coordinated by Pratibha Arora, Director – Events & FAM, GAEHP, whose planning and coordination played a significant role in the successful execution of the two-day familiarisation programme. Her efforts ensured smooth logistics, carefully curated experiences and productive engagement between tourism professionals and hospitality stakeholders.
LEAPtrip Strengthening Tourism Industry Collaboration
Over the years, LEAPtrip has evolved into one of GAEHP’s flagship initiatives aimed at promoting destinations through experiential learning. The programme provides travel professionals with opportunities to Learn, Engage, Assess and Promote tourism destinations after personally experiencing their hospitality products and visitor attractions. The initiative also strengthens collaboration between hotels, restaurants, destination management organisations, tour operators and travel professionals, creating stronger partnerships that contribute to tourism growth across India.
About GAEHP
The Global Association of Events & Hospitality Professionals (GAEHP) is one of India’s fastest-growing industry associations representing professionals from the travel, tourism, hospitality, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions), weddings and events sectors.
Through industry networking, strategic partnerships, professional development programmes, webinars, destination promotion campaigns and LEAPtrips, GAEHP continues to support the development of a more collaborative and sustainable tourism ecosystem while enhancing the quality and visibility of hospitality destinations across India.
