ASMALLWORLD, the leading private international travel and social club offering content, benefits, and community in over 100 cities, is targeting growth in the Indian market through local initiatives.

After 10 years of closed doors, for the first time ever, ASMALLWORLD will accept membership applications, and guarantees access to up to one thousand qualified Indian applicants to its velvet-roped club (they can apply at ASW.com). Additionally, through their new Membership Rewards program ASMALLWORLD has partnered with some of India’s top fashion and hospitality brands to offer benefits to members living in and traveling to India. Previously by-member-invite-only, ASMALLWORLD is excited to grow its membership in India and welcome qualified individuals to its community.

“Coming from an Indian background myself, I certainly feel an allegiance to this part of the world,” says CEO and President Sabine Heller. “As an English-speaking democracy with an emerging luxury market and whose citizens have a high level of taste and sophistication, India represents a perfect market for our growth initiative.”

In a recent survey, Bain & Co. estimated India’s current luxury market at close to $6 billion and growing at 15-20% annually. According to the Indian Bureau of Immigration, the number of Indian nationals traveling abroad has increased by over 30% since 2010.

ASMALLWORLD’s new membership rewards program offers members exclusive benefits from over 500 international partners. Recently, ASMALLWORLD has partnered with such leading Indian brands as Ashish Soni, Bandit Queen, Bombay Electric, Bungalow 8, Design Temple, Ensemble, Good Earth, Gaurav Gupta, Le Mill, Nappa Dori, Pankaj & Nidhi, Patine, Perniapopupshop.com, Shivan & Narresh, and Taj Hotels & Resorts, among others. Other international partners include Mandarin Oriental Hotels, Alila Hotels & Resorts, Cathay Pacific Airlines, Smythson, and World’s Finest Clubs. Their most popular rewards include a free World’s Finest Clubs membership, which grants its users access to leading nightlife venues in hundreds of cities, and a free week’s stay at the soon to launch 5-star Kittitian Hill Resort in St. Kitts. Member rewards are redeemed online or using the new ASW Membership Card designed by Waris Ahluwalia.

ASMALLWORLD’s first foray into India comprised a 5-day travel experience in Mahehshwar, where Richard Holkar, Maharaja of Indore, welcomed 40 members at the Ahilya Fort. ASMALLWORLD also hosts numerous members-only meet-up events in Mumbai and Delhi.

In addition, the ASMALLWORD Foundation — the club’s charity branch — has partnered with New Light in Kolkata, and Heller plans to continue seeking relevant and important Foundation-related initiatives in India.

“India is a favorite destination among our membership, and we believe that targeting strategic growth in the region will make our global community even more vibrant,” says Heller.