Taj to focus on leisure mart, pens upgrade plan

The Taj Group, which has 25 leisure properties, is planning to focus on the leisure travel market. The company, as part of the plan, is on an upgradation mode at all its properties in the segment. It is also in search for new properties.

The domestic leisure travel market had posted a 20 per cent year-on-year growth last year.

"We are in the process of upgrading all the leisure properties owned by us as there is a significant change in the mind-set of today's discerning travellers, especially from within the country," said Jamshed S Daboo, chief operating officer, leisure hotels, The Indians Hotels Company Ltd.

Daboo also said that his company's small leisure property at Sasan Gir in the Junagadh district of Gujarat is also being upgraded.

"We are also focusing on the development of properties at the wildlife segment and in that case, Sasan Gir, the only place for the Asiatic lion, is important for us. Obviously, we will look for more properties in Gujarat, albeit there is an integrated development package by the state government," Daboo said.

The leisure hotels of TIHCL, which holds a 20 per cent stake in the total revenue of the Taj Group, is expected to end this fiscal with a Rs 200 crore independent revenue, which according to company officials, is expected to rise next fiscal.

"We have recently initiated a series of upgradation moves which start from launching of world-class spas and exotic restaurants with multi-cuisine and international delicacies, a whole new dining experience, better in-room facilities and enhanced facilities from arrival to departure of our guests at the leisure hotels," said Sandhya Kunjur, general manager, marketing, leisure hotels, Taj.

In the process of upgradation, Taj has recently introduced a yacht with three rooms for hosting the travellers at Taj Malabar.

In tune with the growing interest of Indian travellers in ayurvedic messages, Taj is also in the process of introducing exclusive message facilities for its guests at all the leisure hotels, including rejuvenation programmes, reflexology and a wide range of therapeutic treatments, said Kunjur.

"We are also offering a seven-day and a 14-day health rejuvenation packages at the Taj Garden Retreat in Kumarakom, Kerala, and similar facilities are being introduced at Taj Malabar in Kochi and other leisure properties," she added.