Hotel Industry thread

[India101]

Hotel sector needs Rs 72,000 cr investment in next five years

CHENNAI, SEPT. 22: The country’s hotel industry needs at least Rs 72,000-crore investment in the next four-five years to build another 1.8 lakh rooms across 1- to - 5-star categories. The country currently has 1.2 lakh star-category rooms.

While the country hopes to attract tourists from newer geographies (other than Europe and the US), and since most of them prefer beach resorts, “we need to focus more on developing products across our east and west coasts,” said Vivek Nair, former President and Executive Committee member of South India Hotels and Restaurants Association.


T. Nataraajan (left), Honorary Secretary, South India Hotel and Restaurants Association, and K. Syama Raju, President, at the AGM of South India Hotel and Restaurants Association, in Chennai on Saturday. — Bijoy Ghosh

According to him, India does not have enough hotels or resorts on beach fronts. Usually, tourists from Russia and other oil-rich countries in that belt travel to Egypt. But, considering the current political and social atmosphere in Egypt, tourists are advised not to visit that country. And they are now looking to countries such as India and Indonesia. “India stands a better chance, but unfortunately it does not have enough tourism products to offer them,” he said.

NEW OFFICE-BEARERS

The Government, in its 12th Plan, has budgeted Rs 35,000 crore for the tourism sector, against Rs 12,000 crore in the 11th Plan. With this kind of budget, it hopes to take its annual foreign tourist inflow to 12.4 million in the next couple of years.

The South India Hotels and Restaurants Association, which has over 1,100 hotels and restaurants as its members, in its annual general meeting held here today, has re-elected K. Syama Raju as President; G.V. Krishnaiah as Vice-President (Andhra Pradesh); K.L. Ramanatha Bhat as Vice-President for Karnataka and Jose Dominic as Vice-President for Kerala, and K. Murali Rao as Vice-President for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry region. T. Nataraajan has been re-elected as Honorary Secretary.

[ChennaiIndian]

Cross-posting from Chennai hotel thread. Courtesy: ceeznic pirate

Originally Posted by ceeznic pirate

Source : TOI

[ChennaiIndian]

A pic of the massive hotel. Cross-posting from Chennai hotel thread. Courtesy: ceeznic pirate

Originally Posted by ceeznic pirate

ITC Grand Chola

[Ahmad Rashid Ahmad]

Thats huge...

[Ahmad Rashid Ahmad]

Jumeirah Group signs first hotel in India


The hotel is part of a major new development in the Lower Parel district of Mumbai.

Dubai-based Jumeirah Group, a member of Dubai Holding, has signed a management agreement for its first hotel in India.

The hotel is part of a major new development in the Lower Parel district of Mumbai and is expected to open in 2017.

Jumeirah Group said in a statement it was also in "advanced negotiations" over hotels and resorts in other key destinations in the country.

“The demand for five-star hotels in the Indian market has been robust and we are delighted to have initiated the first phase of our expansion into India with this landmark project in Mumbai," commented president and group CEO of Jumeirah Group, Gerald Lawless.

When complete the property will comprise 470 rooms, suites and serviced apartments, a wide range of restaurants and bars, extensive conference, wedding, banqueting and meeting facilities and a Talise spa.

"We look forward to building on this success by bringing our promise of Jumeirah 'Stay Different' to other destinations in the country,” added Lawless.

Jumeirah Group currently operates 20 luxury hotels and serviced apartments, including 10 in the UAE, seven in Europe, two in the Maldives and one in China. A further 15 hotels are now under development.

Source

[kailash9999]

Originally Posted by sandeeprai99

Any news on leela hyderabad

Sandeep it has been cancelled and they are selling their land.
The plot is situated right next to DC Showroom on Road No.12, hope something better comes up at that place.

[ashwinmandloi]

Kempinski Ambience Hotel Group, a joint venture partnership between Delhi-based Ambience Group and Kempinski Hotels, expects to open five to six Kempinski Ambience Hotels by 2015 in India. The group will target places such as Kerala, Goa, Hyderabad, Karnataka, Chennai and Mumbai to build hotels. The group confirmed that they will develop only one hotel in a city. The group will officially open its first Kempinski Ambience Hotel at Shahdara in East Delhi by the end of November 2012. The new property will have 480 guestrooms, suites and a banqueting facility for 6,000 guests.

Speaking about the property, Vella Ramaswamy, President, Ambience Group and General Manager, Kempinski Ambience Hotel, Delhi, said, “This property has huge business opportunity in many ways. We have largest banquet facilities in the country. The room inventory is also large. Basically, we can host all kinds of events such as weddings and MICE programmes. East Delhi is one of the well-built areas in Delhi. The area offers metro facility and the nearest metro station is Shahdara”.

He added, “This is the flagship brand of Kempinski Ambience Hotel in India. We develop only one hotel in a city. We don’t expand our chain for the sake of expanding. We will provide best services that will be a combination of European and Indian hospitality standards and services”.


Speaking about earlier Kempinski business associations in India, he said, “Earlier, Kempinski had a long tie-up with Leelaventure Limited. Both groups have done well in the Indian market. As part of the contract, Kempinski was not able to expand in India for 20 years and Leela in overseas markets. Now, after the contract term got over, Kempinski wanted to start a hotel in India independently. Kempinski Ambience Hotel, Delhi is our home brand. We basically aim to do a hotel in a proper way which will cover all service aspects of hospitality”.

Ramaswamy further said, “Eventually, our major markets will be Ghaziabad and Noida, besides international markets. Currently, we see both Ghaziabad and Noida as part of East Delhi. Our property location gives more accessibility to clients from Noida and Ghaziabad as compared to other places in Delhi. We can host huge weddings. The hotel is designed in two towers. Each tower has the same facility like the other. For example, we have one swimming pool, one gym and spa in each tower.”

http://www.travelbizmonitor.com/kemp...-by-2015-18506

[ashwinmandloi]

Accor recently launched a 132-room Formule 1 in Ahmedabad as a bed-and-breakfast offering with two cafes operating within the premises, run by independent operators. "We have carefully chosen a location that has many restaurants operating in the vicinity, and also the city's central business district (CBD) is moving to this part of the city. Right now, it is the best alternate location apart from the CBD, which brings down our cost of property and we can offer competitive tariff", Philip Logan, Vice President, Formule1 Hotels, India, explained. After opening Formule 1 in Greater Noida recently, the Ahmedabad property is the Group's second Formule 1 in India. It is all set to launch a third in Pune next month and plans to have 15 Formule 1 hotels in India over the next few years.

Further, Accor is mulling another property in Ahmedabad soon. Without giving out further details, a senior official said that the upcoming hotel could be any one of the seven to eight major brands that the group owns, which range from budget to luxury hotels, according to a report in the Business Standard. "The Group is looking at three or four more locations within Gujarat to set up the Accor range of hotels. We will be soon having another property in Ahmedabad. It would be an Accor brand," informed Logan. He, however, did not wish to give out further details. "We decided to enter Gujarat with a low-cost brand as this is a cost-sensitive market." Logan added.

http://www.hospitalitybizindia.com/d...id=15258&sid=1

[infra desperados]

Sahara India Pariwar buys New York's Plaza Hotel


Indian billionaire Subrata Roy has bought the luxury Plaza Hotel at the corner of Central Park in Manhattan.

Mr Roy's Sahara group, known for its sponsorship of Indian cricket and motor sports, paid the US-Israeli retailer El Ad $575m (£360m) for its 75% stake.
The remaining 25% of the hotel is being retained by its current owner, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal of Saudi Arabia, via his Kingdom Holding group.

Mr Roy has also reportedly bought a second luxury hotel in New York.

In a separate deal, Sahara bought the Hotel Dream New York on Monday from American hotelier Vikram Chatwal for $220m, according to the Economic Times of India.
The Dream is located in the theatre district of midtown Manhattan, one street away from Broadway.

Foreign purchase.
The 230-room Plaza is famed as the home of Eloise, the fictional 1950s tearaway.
Its real-life guests have included the Beatles, Eleanor Roosevelt, Mark Twain and Groucho Marx.

"This was a great opportunity for the buyer to expand into a key US market with the purchase of an irreplaceable asset," said Greg Rice, president of Solid Rock, the real estate brokers who helped put the sale together, adding that the location was "arguably one of the world's most valuable pieces of real estate".

Mr Rice conceded that the New York luxury hotel sector had been one of the hardest hit by the economic downturn.
Sahara group is a major conglomerate in India, active in finance, media, entertainment, housing and healthcare among other industries.

The group made no statement as to its motivation for the foreign purchase.
It was recently ordered by the Indian Supreme Court to repay $4.5bn it had collected from 30 million ordinary savers, because it broke regulations.
Sahara has been given a deadline of the end of this month to make the payment, failing which its accounts may be frozen in India.

[ashwinmandloi]

GHM has expanded its portfolio of luxury hotels around the world with its first property in India.

The Aayu Mumbai, a 42-suite luxury hotel and setting for India’s first restaurants by the world’s most decorated chef Joël Robuchon, and culinary star Hide Yamamoto, is scheduled to open in December 2013.

The Aayu Mumbai will claim the top five floors of Kohinoor Square’s Central Tower, the tallest commercial building in the city. The all-suite hotel overlooks historic Shivaji Park and offers sea views to the west, and the island mainland to the east.

Spread over a 5-acre parcel of land and towering 203 metres above the Dadar area of Mumbai, Sandeep Shikre & Associates (SSA Architects) in Mumbai and US-based GKK Works collaborated to design the 50-storey Kohinoor Square complex of office, commercial, retail and residential space that is poised to dramatically redefine the skyline of India’s most populous city.

Interior designer Jaya Ibrahim, who previously partnered with GHM on The Legian Bali, The Chedi Muscat and The Nam Hai, will lend his award-winning aesthetic to The Aayu’s spaces, including its 42 suites ranging in size from 65 to 155 square metres.

Joël Robuchon, named ‘Chef of the Century’ by the Gault Millau guide and the only chef to be awarded 28 Michelin stars, will open his 8th L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon at The Aayu. Serving contemporary French cuisine with artistic flair, L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon will also feature a tea lounge, pastry shop and collection of fine wines handpicked by Robuchon.

Japanese culinary genius and 2010 Global Chef Award recipient Hide Yamamoto will mastermind a second restaurant showcasing new generation Japanese cuisine from its charcoal Robata grill, homemade ramen noodle bar and sushi and sake counter.

“With the involvement of Joël Robuchon and Hide Yamamoto, GHM is redefining the culinary landscape and luxury offering of Mumbai in the same way the Kohinoor Square tower is transforming the city skyline,” said GHM President Hans R. Jenni. “Each of these chefs is an exceptional, world-renown talent. Through their collaboration with GHM, The Aayu will emerge as a new style icon in Mumbai.”

A library lounge and bar, cigar and cognac lounge, exclusive malt bar and capacious boardroom will occupy the 49th floor.

The hotel’s spa will be unmoored from a fixed location, with all treatments conducted in a guest’s room.

The Aayu’s 50th-floor rooftop terrace will be home to Mumbai’s highest bar, complemented by a swimming pool and deck with ocean views, as well as 1,400 square metres of landscaped courtyard.

Aside from The Aayu Mumbai, the group is on target to debut two other properties by the end of 2013; The Chedi Club Suzhou in China and The Chedi Andermatt in Switzerland.

http://www.asiatraveltips.com/news12...yuMumbai.shtml

[ashwinmandloi]

Gateway Hotels and Resorts, a part of the Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), will open at least five new contemporary hotels in metro cities in India in the next two years, a top company official has said. Five Gateway Hotels are in the final stages of construction at Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Faridabad, besides Hubli and will be ready in the next two years, P K Mohankumar, COO, Gateway Hotels and Resorts, was quoted as saying in report in The Financial Express.

The Chennai hotel would be the first one to be opened and will commence operations by March 2013, he said. "The plan is to have multi-location presence in each metro city. These hotels would have modern architecture and contemporary design. Also, in the pipeline are more Gateway City Business hotels in Tier-I and Tier-II cities," he said.

Management contracts have been signed for another ten hotels in various locations, including Kolhapur, Mumbai, Chandigarh and Pune, Mohankumar said. Taj group has eight properties in Kerala and another hotel is expected to be ready in two years time at nearby Kakkanad. Stating that hotel brands are not investing in assets and are providing only technical expertise, he said, "We give hotel owners technical expertise in architecture, design and interior design. After completion, a management contract is signed. We bring in the brand to manage assets and this is how the future hotel business is going to be".

http://www.travelbizmonitor.com/ihcl...wo-years-18658

[ashwinmandloi]

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYS: H) and Chartered Hampi Hotels Private Limited today announced the opening of Hyatt Place Hampi in Karnataka, India. The hotel introduces the Hyatt Place brand to India and follows Hyatt Place San Jose/Pinares in Costa Rica as the second Hyatt Place hotel to open outside the United States. More than 20 additional Hyatt Place hotels have been previously announced throughout the country, including Hyatt Place hotels in Nagpur and Pune.

India is a key area of growth for Hyatt. Hyatt Place Hampi joins 10 hotels currently open under various Hyatt brands in the country, including Park Hyatt Hyderabad and Park Hyatt Chennai, which both opened earlier this year. Momentum will continue with more than 50 previously announced hotels under development in India across various Hyatt brands, including Hyatt Regency Gurgaon, Hyatt Regency Ludhiana, Hyatt Raipur, Andaz Gurgaon and Grand Hyatt Kochi. Additionally, Hyatt announced a multi-property deal in October to rebrand five Ista hotels in the country as Hyatt Bangalore, Hyatt Pune, Hyatt Hyderabad, Hyatt Ahmedabad and Hyatt Amritsar by March 2013.

"We are excited to bring the Hyatt Place brand to India, and we believe this continued global expansion will complement the nearly 170 Hyatt Place hotels in the United States," said Peter Fulton, Executive Vice President, Group President - EAME/Southwest Asia, Hyatt Hotels Corporation. "As we continue to grow our brands strategically in emerging markets, we look forward to having our entire portfolio of brands represented in places where our guests are traveling."

About Hyatt Place Hampi

Hyatt Place Hampi is an upscale, select-service hotel designed for multi-tasking travelers. The hotel is conveniently located within one kilometer of JSW Steel Limited and is in close proximity to the business centers of Bellary and Hospet. It is an ideal place for leisure travelers with the world's largest open-air museum and UNESCO world heritage site at Hampi, just 27 kilometers away. Guests may also enjoy a visit to Kaladham, an interactive, 3D Museum providing a virtual trip to Hampi, located adjacent to the hotel.

"Hyatt Place Hampi is located in an unexplored destination that has a lot to offer both domestic and foreign travelers. The hotel offers an open, intuitive design, a warm and casual atmosphere and practical amenities, such as complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the hotel and 24-hour food and beverage availability," said Sumit Kumar, General Manager of Hyatt Place Hampi.

Hyatt Place Hampi offers:

• 115 spacious guestrooms, including seven rooms with private plunge pools and three suites

• All rooms feature a 40-inch TV, the plush Hyatt Grand Bed, a three-seat sectional sofa or a Cozy Corner (sofa pull out bed) and Hyatt Plug Panel media center for connecting a laptop or media device to the TV

• Complimentary Wi-Fi access throughout the hotel

• Complimentary hot buffet breakfast

• More than 3,500 square feet of flexible, hi-tech meeting and function space

• 24/7 Market offering freshly prepared salads, sandwiches and a variety of bottled beverages

• Bar serving premium beer and wines

• 24/7 "Gallery," an all-day-dining restaurant serving Indian and Western cuisine

"Hampi is one of the most splendid historical sites in the country. Hyatt Place Hampi's location not only offers guests the chance to explore Hampi but also other historical sites in North Karnataka such as Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal," said Varun Saraf, Director, Chartered Hampi Hotels Pvt. Ltd. "As our company continues to grow and thrive economically, we are excited to be involved with the upcoming development of other Hyatt hotels in various urban centers."

http://www.dailyfinance.com/2012/12/...brates-openin/

[ashwinmandloi]

The State Excise Minister K. Babu inaugurated the first Marriott hotel in Kerala – Marriott Courtyard – a project of the UAE-based Lulu Group near the Cochin International Airport Ltd.

The State Tourism Minister A.P. Anil Kumar cut the inaugural cake and the Minister for Public Works V.K. Ebrahim Kunju launched the hotel Web site. The Lulu Group Managing Director Yusuffali M.A. said his group is committed to invest a portion of its wealth in his home State. The group will invest more in Kerala in the next two years as the State has tremendous potential in tourism and IT, he said.

Having 107 rooms, the Marriott Courtyard has all modern amenities in the hotel, which is situated just 300 metres from the international airport. This is the eighth hotel by Marriott in India. Another 16 more hotels of Marriott is coming up soon and another 50 are in the pipeline,” Rejeev Menon, Area Vice-President, Marriot, said.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/...ry-and-economy

[studdmanster]

The Oberoi Hotel in Bangalore has announced the launch of its new generation luxury rooms with all modern features. The 86 newly designed rooms have been equipped with Oberoi Group’s signatures all important in-suite amenities that can be availed at the touch of an iPad.

Each of the newly imbibed bedrooms has been spaciously built. They cover an area of 344 square meters and have been furnished using silk textiles, leather, polished wood and glittering wood giving it a golden and caramel touch contrasted with royal ink blue. This new collection of the hotel is adorned with contemporary art and modern interiors. Each of the room is fitted with an attached bathroom and balcony offering panoramic views of the gardens.

The in-rooms technology allows the patrons to customize a list of in-room facilities through the touch of an electronic iPad. The guests can use the Tablet to admix with a 40 inch LED smart television screen. It also hosts a number of features from selecting movies, adjusting light to control the temperature.

The new technology houses a browsing feature that contains information about the guest services, multi cuisine restaurants, bar specialties of each month. This updated communication model also make you experience a virtual tour of the recommended excursions and activities in and around the Bangalore city.

[studdmanster]

The Leela Palace New Delhi has been voted as the ‘Best Business Hotel’ in India by CNBC AWAAZ Travel Awards 2012. MEGU, India’s first outpost of internationally renowned modern-Japanese restaurant has been voted as the ‘Best Restaurant International Cuisine’. These awards were felicitated at a by-invitation soiree in Kashmir in the presence of luminaries and key players of the tourism and hospitality industry.

The CNBC AWAAZ Travel Awards is an annual event hosted by CNBC AWAAZ to recognize the best-in-class travel destinations and other ancillary services of the tourism and hospitality industry.

Commenting on the recognition, Tamir Kobrin, General Manager, The Leela Palace New Delhi said, “We are thankful to all our patrons who have appreciated our quintessential services and the effort to provide an unforgettable experience to all our guests, making The Leela Palace New Delhi an iconic hotel. Each of these accolades motivates us to continue excelling guest expectations and redefining the benchmark of luxury hospitality.”

[studdmanster]

Dunkin' Donuts, the world's leading baked goods and coffee chain has recently launched its first restaurant in Noida at the Great India Place mall. This is the seventh store of Dunkin' Donuts in India.

Dunkin' Donuts menu includes extensive range of donuts, Dunkin' Donuts Original Blend drip coffee, espresso based beverages, as well as a range of sandwiches made out of artisan breads such as focaccia, croissants, ciabatta and bagels. The beverages menu has also been expanded with fruit milkshakes, smoothies and tea.

Commenting on the launch of the first outlet in NOIDA, Dev Amritesh, President and COO, Dunkin' Donuts India said, “We are delighted with the tremendous response the brand has received from consumers. It’s extremely heart-warming that consumers have enthusiastically embraced Dunkin' Donuts and believe we will build a robust business and very strong consumer connection.

The new Dunkin' Donuts restaurant in Noida, like all other Dunkin' Donuts restaurant in India, will deliver the same quality food and beverages served in a fast, friendly and inviting environment that the brand is internationally renowned for”.

He further added, "Dunkin'Donuts is known for its donuts for sure, but is also about coffee, sandwiches, all day snacks and other beverages. The brand name in India has the sign of “Dunkin’ Donuts & More” to signify our wide product range and the unique experiences that our restaurants offer.

We are excited about entering NOIDA, it’s a fantastic catchment area and GIP is a great mall. We are confident that consumers in Noida will love Dunkin’ experience”.

[studdmanster]

Premier Inn, UK’s largest budget hotel chain, and a part of Whitbread Plc, on the occasion of reaching the 50,000 rooms’ landmark with the opening of its 640th property at Gatwick Airport has also announced its hotel pipeline in India for the next ten years.

The company plans to expand aggressively in the South Asian market and open over 80 hotels in India alone.

Speaking exclusively to India Hospitality Review, Aly Shariff, Managing Director, Premier Inn, South Asia, said, "India is one of the fastest growing economies in the world and it creates attractive investment and development opportunities for any international brand. We foresee potential growth for Premier Inn here. We have strategic expansion plans for India with 30 potential markets identified including metros, Tier II and III cities to take up Management contracts."

Currently, Premier Inn has two properties in India in Whitefield Bangalore (2009) and Shalimar Bagh, New Delhi (2011).

It plans to open 4 more properties in Kharadi in Pune with 109 keys, Porur in Chennai with 64 keys, Anjuna in Goa with 131 keys and OMR in Chennai with 108 keys. While the first two will open by July 2013, the other two will open in 2014 in March and September respectively.

The relative underdevelopment of budget hotel sector in India coupled with the pace of economic growth has created an opportunity for Premier Inn India Pvt Ltd. to create a pan-India business, which has ambitious plans for setting up hotels under the Premier Inn brand over the next ten years.

"India is a booming market that has the potential for tremendous growth. Our two existing hotels in India have received overwhelming response from the guests and the trade partners.

"Going forward, we strive to develop at least 7-8 properties a year fully operational that is. We intend to have around 80 hotels in the next ten years," revealed Shariff.

"Our expansion plans are quite realistic considering that development process in India comprises of a lot of policies and procedures and is hence time consuming," he added further.

[studdmanster]

The Maha Kumbh, one of the biggest religious congregations of the world for over a month, starting next month is all set to give a fillip to the hospitality business in Allahabad. The hotel industry here already gearing up for the event with renovations to attract more guests, is expecting to witness a new high.

On the business potential of the event, Director, Institute of Tourism Development and Management, Prof Manoj Dixit said, “The average occupancy of hotels in Allahabad for tourism purposes rarely crosses 35 per cent on a normal day. But it exceeds all limits during the Kumbh mela period. The facilities are utilized beyond their maximum potential. This means that there is straight away a profit margin of 65 per cent, and anything beyond that is a bonanza.”

President of the UP hotels and restaurants’ association, Surendra Jaiswal, said that the industry was hoping for more than 100 per cent occupancy. “Many people come in the morning, pay a visit to the mela area, rest for a while and leave by the night. The same room is given to another person in the queue. In other words, rooms in a hotel are occupied all the time during the Kumbh period,” he said. Citing local hoteliers, he added, “The demand can be estimated from the fact that even the corridors and verandahs are sold out.”

In the wake of the same, many hotels have undergone renovation. “Hotel industry is quite face value-driven. So, everything in a hotel should appeal to the tourists. Then, as compared to the previous season, many things have left the ‘luxury’ category and are deemed to be a necessity today. An air-conditioned room is a typical example. Similarly, many things, such as use of coolers and heaters have become obsolete. Therefore, renovation was rather a need of the hour. In most of the places, the facelift work is in its final stages,” said a tourism officer.

The state tourism department has invested heavily in its properties in view of the Mahakumbh. Those who have earlier stayed in UP State Tourism Development Corporation’s hotel Triveni Darshan now may not identify it at all. The old basic accommodation is all set to give a backwaters experience to its guests. “Three super luxury VVIP suits are coming up in the renovated hotel. The entire set up is air-conditioned and the new entrance of the hotel faces the river. Passing through the lavish garden of the hotel one can hope for a visit of a lifetime to this place,” said DP Singh, the manager of all tourism department hotels in Allahabad.

Similarly, the Rahi Ilawart Tourist Bunglow has also undergone major change. “The front facia is totally new. Then, a banquet hall having a capacity of 500 persons has been constructed while the courtyard covered with a beautiful dome. Not only this, the flooring and tile work has been redone to keep up with latest trends in interiors,” added Singh. Officials at the tourism department directorate said that approximately Rs 3 crore has been spent on the renovation work alone.

The buzz can also be estimated from the fact that most of the hotels are already sold out. Regional tourist officer Amit Srivastava said that all luxury cottages have been booked on the nine main days (such as Shahi snaan) and their occupancy rate on other days is over 80 per cent as of now. “The cottages will see cent percent occupancy for other days by the end of December,” claimed Srivastava.

A similar trend has been reported for all the 345 Swiss cottages as well.

The tourism department has introduced the bed and breakfast scheme in the city. Under this scheme, owner of a house can enroll with the department to accommodate tourists. The owner has to ensure comfortable stay and breakfast to the tourist. This provides affordable accommodation to tourists and helps locals earn good money.

Industry experts say that most of the private hotels are also full. But some of them have acted rather smart in wake of the advantages of the last minute bookings. Some locals claimed that certain hotels were involved in underhand dealings as well. “The websites may claim that the hotel charges Rs 6,000 per night and telephonic inquiry would mean a point blank No. But if you insist, the hotel will be ready to make an arrangement at double the price,” said an officer.

It may be noted that the Sangam city has 33 hotels in the luxury category, 60-70 hotels in the budget category and about 30 places in the other category that comprises dharamshalas and guest houses.

[studdmanster]

Noodle Bar, the Pan India Food Solutions’s Oriental restaurant, has opened at Phoenix Market City, Bengaluru, offering a range of cuisines from China, Thailand, Burma, Indonesia, Japan and Korea.

For starters, the outlet has on offer onion pancake, barbecue roast lamb, crystal prawn dumplings and peppery corn fritters, and burnt garlic mush
rooms. The main course will comprise dishes like teriyaki exotica, lion heart cottage cheese, Chinese lobster in curry sauce, and sambal prawns.

The signature dishes include lime leaf chicken, Burmese kaukswe, burnt chilli noodles, and lime and lemon crème brulee. The desserts will comprise coconut jaggery dragon rolls, spiced fruit tempura, and lime n lemon crème brulee.

Commenting on the expansion, K S Narayanan, CEO, Pan India Food Solutions, said, “We’re excited about offering Oriental cuisine to Bengaluru through Noodle Bar. This new opening ties in with our charted expansion plans, across the country. Noodle Bar is a unique brand that brings together food from the far flung corners of East Asia, for our patrons, and we do hope to become a culinary landmark for lovers of Asian cuisine.”

[studdmanster]

Officials of the tourism industry have hinted that there could be a hike of 25 per cent in tariffs in Jaipur when a horde of visitors make a beeline for the city for two events - Congress Chintan Shivir and the Jaipur Literature Festival – in January next year. A consequence of this mega event is that there are no vacancies in hotels or ti
ckets available in trains and airlines.

The events are slated to take place between January 18 and January 30, 2013.

A majority of five-star and budget hotels said they have no rooms vacant or are facing a very tight situation starting from January 15.

"I think, at this time everyone associated with the tourism industry - from small-time tour operators to hoteliers - is busy with clients coming for the Congress Maha Adhiveshan and the Jaipur Literature Festival," Khalid Khan, Former President, Rajasthan Association of Tour Operators (RATO), was quoted as saying in a report in The Times of India.

He added that the tourism season, which was yet to gain momentum, will make substantial gains during this period.

"Every year, the period of literature festival has been fruitful for the tourism industry. But with the added rush of the Congress Chitan Shivir, city hotels are all booked. We had to cancel some of our bookings from January 18 to January 21, when top Congressmen including UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi will come calling," Khan added.

Even trains like the Shatabadi Express and the Double Decker running between Jaipur-Delhi and Jaipur-Agra are showing no availability during the period.