Taj To Tread On Gwalior And Kovalam Turf

Anindita Chattopadhyay - New Delhi

As part of the growth plan for its Leisure Division, The Indian Hotels Company Ltd will make its foray into the spectacular fort city of Gwalior and the beach town of Kovalam this year. The Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces is opening Usha Kiran Palace in Gwalior in the third week of October and Green Cove Resort & Spa in Kovalam, Kerala in December 2004.

The expansion plan may be viewed as an outcome of the above expectation performance of the leisure division. As Ajoy K Misra, senior vice president - sales and marketing, The Indian Hotels Co. Ltd. said, "The performance has been very good and above budgets and expectation. The increase in revenues was between 20 - 25 per cent and this year we are expecting an overall 15 - 20 per cent growth.

The expansion strategy dovetails with our growth plan."

When asked what prompted the group to choose Gwalior, promptly came the reply, "Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces has been a pioneer in showcasing various destinations in India and placing them on the tourist map. To acquaint people with the grandeur of the era gone by and as part of our commitment to preserve the cultural heritage of India, Taj group has restored palaces, such as Rambagh Palace, Jaipur, Jai Mahal Palace, Jaipur, Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur. And now Usha Kiran Palace, Gwalior, will offer guests an opportunity to explore this rich heritage of Gwalior. Moreover, Gwalior is about two hours drive from Agra and will form an integral destination in the heritage circuit of Delhi - Agra - Gwalior - Orchha - Khajuraho - Varanasi. Less than four hours from Delhi and well connected by the Shatabdi Express, the property will also be an ideal getaway for the Delhi market."

The property will be positioned as a restored 120-year-old original palace that allows guests to re-live the history of the ancient city with its colourful kaleidoscope of romance, culture, music, art and architecture and symbols of a bygone era. Each of the 15 superior rooms and 21 deluxe rooms of the palace is a reflection of the local culture and the exquisite architecture. Light, airy and modern, these rooms offer gorgeous views and décor befitting royalty and are well equipped with modern amenities including international direct dial facility, mini bar and colour television with satellite programmes. The suites include a massage bed, lounge area and water fountains. Explaining the marketing strategy for the property, Misra said, "In the first year, the strategy will be to create awareness and showcase both the property and the destination within India and in the international markets to achieve high customer trials. This will be achieved by an integrated marketing approach using multiple levers such as advertising, direct marketing, participation in trade fairs, etc. The property will be promoted as a weekend getaway for the Delhi market."

Each of the 15 superior rooms and 21 deluxe rooms of the Palace is a reflection of the local culture and the exquisite architecture. Light, airy and modern, these rooms offer gorgeous views and décor befitting royalty and are well equipped with guest amenities that include international direct dial facility, mini bar and colour television with satellite programmes.

Offering a view of the magnificent Gwalior Fort, the two one-bedroom Royal Suites welcome guests with arched openings and vibrant hues. Elegant and modern, yet reflecting the local culture in design details like silk drapes, coloured globes of light and canopied beds, the suites include a massage bed, lounge area and water fountains.