| DLF
ropes in MoT's Rajeev Talwar
In a bid to accelerate its ambitious plans
in the Indian tourism and hospitality industry, DLF has managed to rope in Rajeev
Talwar, additional director general, Ministry of Tourism (MoT), Government of
India, who will head its hospitality and tourism division. Sheraton
no longer exclusive to ITC
After extending their exclusive contract once,
ITC and Sheraton are still trying to save their partnership by negotiating a further
extension. Upfront Dawn
of a new Day
Dawnay, Day Hotels India, London-based Dawnay, Day Group's
newly-formed hospitality arm, will invest over US $200 million in India over the
next few years to build hotels. Heading this new venture is Mandeep Singh Lamba,
former president and CEO of Fortune Hotels, who shares his views with Bhavika
Jhaveri. Hotels
use new funding route
Taking a road not travelled before, Indian hotel
companies are now looking at offering equity placement in their respective companies
to generate funds for their expansion plans within the country. CalPERS
to set up US $400 million real estate fund
Following its initial investment
of US $100 million in the Indian equity market two years ago, the California Public
Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS), the leading provider of retirement and
health benefits in the US, is set to raise US $400 million in the Indian real
estate industry, with key focus on hospitality related projects. CII,
HRAWI to provide subsidised hospitality training
With a view to offset
the impact of attrition in mid to low levels in hotels, CII and HRAWI along with
Maharashtra's Employment Commissioner plan to provide hospitality training at
a subsidised rate of Rs 500 to class X and XII dropouts. Accord
Metropolitan checks in, Traders checks out
Accord Hotels, Singapore has
entered into a joint venture with Chennai-based J Hotels to manage the erstwhile
Shangrila Traders property in Chennai under the brand Accord Metropolitan, which
is positioned as a five-star business class hotel. Radisson
GRT enters in-flight catering
With a view to tap the growing Chennai market,
Radisson GRT has diversified into in-flight catering business, which will be part
of its overall hotel operations. Spa
debut for business hotels
In a bid to increase revenue while cashing on
the wellness and health trend, business hotels are integrating full-fledged spas
in their premises, originally a mainstay of resort properties. Encore
to invest Rs 100 crore
Mumbai-based Encore Hotels plans to invest Rs 100
crore by the end of 2007 in the initial phase of expansion of its brand of restaurants
and hotels in India and abroad. The
Taco Maker enters India
The Taco Maker, the Mexican Quick Service Restaurant
(QSR), has set its foot in India with its first three outlets in Delhi. The fast
food chain plans to open at least 500 franchise outlets in next three years. Travel
site Mobissimo widens hotel search in India
Travel search engine Mobissimo
will offer a wide hotel search option for India by October this year. Chattisgarh
to invest in 21 motels
Sensing the acute need for hotel infrastructure
in the state, Chattisgarh Tourism Board (CTB) has taken on itself to develop the
same. Samiah
Group adds hotels to portfolio
Yet another Delhi-NCR based real estate
company will make inroads into the Indian hospitality industry, except that this
group will stay away from the maddening metro and non-metro rush and lodge itself
in the quite serenity of Nainital. Dubai
firm gears to Japengo
In a bid to capture the upscale fine dining segment,
the Dubai-based Bin Hendi Enterprises has forayed into the hospitality space with
its flagship eatery, Cafe Japengo - a multi-cuisine eatery in Mumbai. IHG
to focus on B cities, standalone properties
Eyeing to spread its management
services in India, the InterContinental Hotel Group (IHG) has identified smaller
cities (tier-II cities and tertiary cities) and standalone properties. MTDC
brings out Mahabaleshwar project from deep freeze
The Maharashtra state
tourism board is reworking its project to replicate the existing hill station
of Mahabaleshwar in the Satara district, about 100 kms from Pune, with participation
from star and budget hotels. Vada
pav takes on the burger The
Ski (Village) is not the limit!
About a year ago, this column had indicated
that the proposed Manali Ski Village is poised to become a landmark in Himachal
Pradesh. Fulfilling
a social responsibility
There are two kinds of hotels: some who are located
in the metros amidst the hurry burry of the continental life and yet are ecologically
sensitive, and others who are located at hill stations but show little respect
for nature. They eventually suffer legal actions for violating ecological laws.
Commitment to protect the environment and maintaining the ecological balance therefore
is more in the minds of the management rather than the location of hotels. Movements Product
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