The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) has entered into a strategic alliance with The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts to provide exclusive hospitality benefits to its members, marking the Council’s first partnership with a hotel group.
The association is designed to support members’ business and personal travel needs, offering special pricing, room upgrades, hotel credits, dining and spa discounts, and other privileges at participating Leela properties across India. Benefits also include early check-ins, late check-outs and complimentary nights, subject to applicable terms and length of stay.
Announcing the partnership, GJEPC Chairman Kirit Bhansali said the initiative reflects the Council’s commitment to creating greater value for members beyond its traditional trade-promotion activities. “Our members travel across India for business, exhibitions and other activities. This association will make their stays more comfortable and rewarding. The Leela is known for its excellent hospitality and service, and through this partnership, our members can access special benefits at participating hotels across India, including hotel credits, discounts on dining and spa services, and other exclusive privileges,” Bhansali said.
Bhansali encouraged members to make full use of the benefits, adding that the partnership was a positive step towards building a strong and lasting relationship between the two organisations.
Anurag Bhatnagar, Whole-time Director and Chief Executive Officer of The Leela, said the association represented a relationship that extended beyond a formal agreement. “The MOU is just a symbol. What we are cementing today is a relationship that goes beyond transactions and beyond the MOU. As members of this Council, you have The Leela for life, for your families and your friends,” Bhatnagar said.
He added that the benefits would extend beyond those formally outlined, with service and personalisation at the heart of the partnership. The Leela team would work closely with GJEPC members to address their hospitality requirements and gather feedback to strengthen the association over time.
Members will have access to a range of privileges based on their membership and stay requirements. These include preferential rates, room upgrades and benefits linked to the duration of their stay, with a complimentary fourth night available on eligible three-night bookings at select destinations. Early check-ins, late check-outs and club lounge access are among the additional benefits, subject to applicable conditions.
The partnership also offers members access to The Leela’s personalised guest services. These include a dedicated point of contact to assist with travel arrangements and stay-related requirements, along with curated cultural experiences that showcase the art and traditions of each destination.
The Leela team said members would be able to connect directly with its representatives for assistance with bookings and other hospitality needs. The arrangement is intended to simplify travel planning for jewellery businesses and their families, particularly those who regularly travel for exhibitions, meetings and other industry engagements.
For GJEPC, the alliance adds a hospitality dimension to its member services, recognising the frequent travel associated with the gem and jewellery trade. For The Leela, the partnership offers an opportunity to build a closer relationship with a nationwide industry community while extending its Indian hospitality proposition to members, their families and business associates.