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Sankar Radhakrishnan

Thiruvananthapuram April 6 Sri Lanka's Aitken Spence is entering the hospitality sector with projects in Kochi and the Andaman and Nicobar islands.

Mr J.M.S. Brito, Deputy Chairman and CEO, told Business Line that in addition to these projects, the company is considering properties in New Delhi and Madurai.

The company, which currently operates 10 hotels in Sri Lanka and four in the Maldives, is bullish on the possibilities in India's tourism sector, he said. It is open to looking at more hotel projects here, he added.

With interests in sectors ranging from tourism and plantations to power generation and logistics, Aitken Spence is also exploring the possibility of offering port-related services. The company has experience in port-related consultancy and training in South Africa and would like to make use of this expertise in India, said Mr Brito.

In the hospitality sector, the company plans to adopt a two-pronged strategy of investments and management contracts.

In Kochi, it will partner with Floatels India to set up a 50-room five-star resort. This property is expected to welcome its first guests by the end of 2008. In the Andaman islands, the company is planning a 75-room resort. The company is currently working on regulatory clearances for this property, he said.

Meanwhile, the company is looking at entering into a management contract for a hotel in New Delhi. In Madurai, Aitken Spence is looking at an investment in an existing property that is currently being refurbished.

Both projects are expected to be functional by the end of next year, he added.

More Stories on : Outlook | Hotels

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