Newstrack

Taj in talks with EMKE for Abu Dhabi foray

EH Staff - Mumbai

Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) is reportedly exploring a tie-up with Abu Dhabi-based retail giant EMKE group to expand its presence in the Middle East. Sources say that it is looking to launch a five-star hotel condominium and serviced apartment in Abu Dhabi through a management contract deal with the group which is of Indian origin. The hospitality major has also shown interest in other potential destinations in the Middle East like Muscat and Bahrain.

IHCL plans to operate the Abu Dhabi property under the Taj Palace brand and is expected to have an inventory of 250 guestrooms and 400 serviced apartments. When contacted, a Taj spokesperson said, "The Taj has not reached at any agreement with anybody for Abu Dhabi yet."

This hotel in Abu Dhabi could be the Taj group's fourth property in the Gulf. The upcoming US $330-million condominium project with Dubai-based developer ETA Star, the Taj Exotica Resort & Spa and The Grandeur Residences at the Palm Jumeirah Crescent in Dubai is scheduled to be operational by 2009. The US $1.2-billion Abu Dhabi-based EMKE group runs supermarket, hypermarket, departmental stores and shopping malls across Middle East and other countries.