SALIL PANIGRAHI: ARCHITECT OF EXPERIENCES, NOT JUST HOTELS

With Atmosphere Core's India entry, the CA-turned-hotelier blends emotional design, cultural authenticity, and scalable disruption to reshape Indian luxury travel

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From a small-town upbringing in Odisha to building one of the Maldives' most celebrated resort portfolios, Salil Panigrahi has paired business discipline with creative intuition. As Co-founder & Managing Director of Atmosphere Core, he now turns to India with a design-led, people-first approach.

You've built one of the most successful resort portfolios in the Maldives. What made you turn your attention to India?

India has always been close to my heart, both as home and as one of the fastest-evolving markets for experiential travel. Over the last decade, Indian travellers have become among the world's most discerning; they're globally aware, digitally connected, and seeking meaning over mere indulgence. At Atmosphere Core, we specialise in creating destinations that feel aspirational yet authentic. India, with its deep cultural canvas, deserves a hospitality model that goes beyond standard luxury to something more soulful and story-driven.

What would you say defines your disruption strategy in the Indian context?