Dekho Apna Desh: In a fillip to domestic tourism, Country Club enters Sikkim with flagship Valley Vista resort

Bengaluru: Country Club Hospitality and Holidays Ltd (CCHHL), India’s pioneer in leisure and lifestyle experiences, marked a new milestone with the grand opening of its flagship Valley Vista Resort in Gangtok, Sikkim.

This landmark launch expands the company’s portfolio to 51 premium properties across India and signals a strategic entry into North and North-East India’s fast-growing tourism market.

The inauguration, coinciding with India’s 79th Independence Day celebrations, also saw the unveiling of the exclusive VIP Gold Membership Card, offering members complimentary stays and lifetime privileges.

Speaking at the launch in Bengaluru,Y. Rajeev Reddy, Chairman and Managing Director, CCHHL, credited the company’s three-and-a-half-decade journey to the loyalty of its members.

“Our members are our biggest brand ambassadors. If Country Club has grown to this scale, it is only because members brought in their friends, families, and acquaintances. The VIP Gold Membership is our way of giving back — an invitation to share the Country Club lifestyle with loved ones,” Reddy said.

On the company’s zero-debt strategy and sustainable growth, Reddy explained that Indian banks extend EMI facilities to members, enabling expansion without external borrowings.

He distinguished CCHHL’s unique positioning in the hospitality space thus: “While groups like ITC and Lemon Tree are excellent hoteliers, our segment is different. Country Club offers an integrated lifestyle — holidays, clubbing, events, fitness, and adventure — through a single card.”

Gangtok: The New Frontier in Domestic Tourism

Reddy highlighted the untapped potential of Himalayan tourism saying: “Many Indians fly abroad without exploring Sikkim. Gangtok is not just a destination — it’s an experience. Rain, thunder, clouds, lightning — this is God’s own creation. With pro-tourism policies and direct flights from Bengaluru, Gangtok is set to become a major hub.”

To address concerns about affordability, Reddy reassured that facilities are accessible to local travellers, given the region’s strong per-capita income and appetite for leisure and entertainment. Existing members can seamlessly upgrade to the lifetime-valid VIP Gold Membership.

Driving Growth, Supporting Communities

With plans to expand further into the North-East, Himalayan belt, and Western India, CCHHL aims to blend luxury, adventure, and cultural immersion, while creating local employment and promoting sustainable tourism.

A senior company executive noted that each project is designed to benefit surrounding communities — “from Pandavapura to Gangtok.”

Backed by its 2 million-strong membership base, Country Club is positioning itself as a key driver of domestic tourism.

“India has tremendous untapped potential in tourism. Every citizen should contribute to showcasing our country. Country Club is proud to lead this movement,” Reddy added.

With its Gangtok launch, CCHHL sets a new benchmark in experiential, community-driven, and financially prudent hospitality — a step toward redefining how India holidays.