Newstrack

Anantara Hospitality plans expansions

Andrea Lopez - Mumbai

Anantara Hospitality, which owns and operates eco-friendly boutique resorts developed along an NGO format is looking at expanding its portfolio in India. Presently, the company owns and runs four resorts in Karnataka and Kerala, including Ambatti Greens (golf retreat), Shalimar Spice Gardens, Laika and Our Native Village. Ravi Shankar, the company's CEO said that the resorts have been developed on a unique concept and therefore have a smaller inventory of rooms and chalets. "Being high on design and style, our product is very niche and we do not function in the mass segment. Our operational philosophy follows that of an eco-resort," he said. He added that Ambatti Greens, located in Coorg is one the only 18-hole golf resorts in India.

The company is looking at new properties in Kerala and Uttarakhand, among other locations in India. Ramgarh, the resort being developed in Bangalore, is due to open in 2009. Shankar says that all the company's resorts are experiential and are designed for both leisure and corporate clients. He added that 30 per cent of product distribution was through the trade, and 70 per cent through consumer-based advertising. "Phase two of our operations will be to have more hotels owned and managed by us, as well as to touch international operations in the Asia Pacific region. We are looking at a turnover of Rs 10 crore by March 2009," concluded Shankar.