Mantis Makes India Debut with Wildlife-Led Hospitality Project
Accor has announced the signing of Mantis Nagarhole, marking the debut of the Mantis brand in India and strengthening the hospitality group’s South Asia portfolio with an eco-luxury hospitality offering focused on experiential travel, conservation, and wilderness-led stays.
Scheduled to open in 2028, the premium eco-resort will be located on the edge of Nagarhole Tiger Reserve in Karnataka and represents Accor’s entry into India’s growing luxury wildlife hospitality segment through its conservation-led Mantis brand.
The signing reflects the hospitality company’s continued expansion across differentiated leisure markets, as demand increasingly shifts toward immersive, low-density, experience-led travel formats.
This partnership strengthens Accor’s pipeline, aligning with ongoing developments in hospitality expansion deals.Accor Expands South Asia Portfolio with New Eco-Luxury Brand
The signing of Mantis Nagarhole introduces Accor’s Mantis brand to India for the first time.
Globally, Mantis is positioned as a premium eco-luxury hospitality brand known for conservation-focused experiences, bespoke stays, and low-impact hospitality developments located in ecologically sensitive and unique natural destinations.
The India debut marks a strategic portfolio expansion for Accor as hospitality companies increasingly look to build differentiated leisure offerings beyond conventional urban, resort, and business hospitality formats.
Wildlife and experiential hospitality continue to emerge as high-potential growth segments, particularly among travellers seeking immersive nature-led journeys combined with premium accommodation and sustainability-driven travel choices.
31-Key Wilderness Retreat Planned in Nagarhole
Scheduled to open in 2028, Mantis Nagarhole will be developed as a 31-key premium wilderness retreat spread across approximately 13 acres.
The project will include a mix of cottages and rooms designed to integrate with the surrounding natural environment while maintaining a premium hospitality experience.
Planned facilities include an all-day dining restaurant, bar, swimming pool, spa, gymnasium, and curated outdoor hospitality spaces.
The property will also include a viewing tower and landscaped experiential zones designed to deepen guest engagement with the surrounding wilderness ecosystem.
Guest experiences are expected to include guided safaris, nature trails, and cultural immersion programmes, aligning with the brand’s experiential hospitality positioning.
Located Near Nagarhole Tiger Reserve
The resort will be located on the edge of the Nagarhole Tiger Reserve, part of the ecologically significant Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
Nagarhole has steadily emerged as one of India’s most attractive wildlife hospitality destinations, drawing premium domestic and international travellers seeking immersive eco-tourism and nature-led luxury stays.
Its appeal is driven by biodiversity, safari experiences, relative exclusivity, and growing interest in wellness-linked leisure escapes rooted in nature.
With limited high-end accommodation supply and rising demand for experiential wilderness hospitality, the region presents a compelling growth opportunity for global hotel brands.
Strategic access to safari zones while maintaining privacy and low-density positioning strengthens the market appeal of such developments.
Ownership and Development Partnership
The project is being developed by Macs Max Private Limited, a South India-based hospitality group led by Hirehal Jairaj Balram.
The ownership group has an existing presence across hospitality and real estate, with a focus on expanding across high-potential leisure destinations.
Partnership-led expansion remains central to hospitality growth in specialised markets, particularly where destination knowledge and global brand capabilities combine to create differentiated hospitality products.
Accor’s Strategic View
Commenting on the signing, Ranju Alex, CEO – South Asia, Accor, said:
“India’s travel landscape is evolving rapidly, with a growing appetite for meaningful, experience-led journeys rooted in nature and authenticity. The signing of Mantis Nagarhole reflects our strategic focus on expanding in high-value leisure destinations while staying deeply committed to sustainability and conservation. This retreat will not only offer an extraordinary wildlife experience but also embody the Mantis philosophy of responsible tourism, community engagement, and environmental responsibility. We are delighted to partner with a visionary ownership group to bring this unique offering to life in one of India’s most pristine ecosystems.”
The signing reflects Accor’s broader strategy of deepening its presence across evolving leisure segments while aligning expansion with changing consumer travel preferences.
Ownership Perspective
Balram Hirehal Jairaj, Director, Macs Max Private Limited, said:
“The signing of Mantis Nagarhole marks an important milestone in our vision to create meaningful hospitality experiences rooted in nature, sustainability, and regional authenticity. Nagarhole is one of India’s most extraordinary wildlife destinations, and we saw a strong opportunity to develop a retreat that celebrates the beauty of the region while offering guests a deeply immersive and responsible luxury experience. Our partnership with Accor and the globally acclaimed Mantis brand brings together international expertise in eco-luxury hospitality and our commitment to developing distinctive destinations in South India. We look forward to bringing this landmark project to life and contributing to the growth of experiential tourism in Karnataka.”
Sustainability and ESG Framework
The development will incorporate ESG-led operating frameworks aligned with Accor’s global sustainability standards.
The project will focus on energy efficiency, biodiversity conservation, environmental resilience, and long-term responsible hospitality practices.
Low-impact hospitality design has become increasingly important within luxury eco-tourism, particularly in ecologically sensitive destinations.
Accor’s South Asia Presence
Accor currently operates 74 hotels across South Asia spanning luxury, premium, midscale, and economy segments.
Its regional brand portfolio includes Raffles, Fairmont, Sofitel, Pullman, Grand Mercure, Novotel, Mercure, ibis, and ibis Styles, alongside lifestyle expansion through Ennismore.
The addition of Mantis introduces a new premium experiential hospitality vertical within the region.
Outlook
With the signing of Mantis Nagarhole, Accor enters India’s eco-luxury wildlife hospitality segment with a conservation-led premium offering.
The project strengthens the group’s South Asia portfolio while aligning with rising demand for experiential, sustainable, and destination-led travel.
