The Hindu Business Line : Cherthala to get 7-star resort

Kochi May 2 The Singapore-based Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts and the Kuwait-based Kapico Group have joined hands with Mini Muthoottu in Kerala to set up a 7-star resort at Cherthala in Alappuzha district.

The joint venture known by the name Kapico Kerala Resorts Pvt Ltd will invest Rs 150 crore for the project, which is planned on 20 acres of land owned by the Mini Muthoottu Group. The project, which is to be completed by 2008, will have standard villas, deluxe villas, presidential villa and bedroom villas on the lakeside.

The entire resort is cut off from the mainland and is situated on an exclusive island. It is planned to take customers to the resort in a custom-made houseboat from the mainland. Each villa will have its own pool.

Addressing a joint press conference, Mr Roy M. Mathew, Chairman, Mini Muthoottu, and Mr Ho Kwan Ping, Chairman, Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts, said that Kerala would emerge as one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in the world and international investors have been keenly observing the opportunities and growth in the tourism industry in the State.

Tourist inflow up

There has been an increase in the international tourist inflow by 23.68 per cent and 5.47 per cent for domestic tourists. Kochi, one of the fastest growing cities in the country, hopes to benefit the most, they added.

According to Mr Ping, the idea is to bring an entirely new tourism concept to India and especially to the State. Kerala's ayurveda therapy will also be used in Banyan Tree Spa, an exclusive brand worldwide, in the newly set up resort, he said.

The group has ownership interests in 19 resorts and hotels, 51 spas and 58 retail galleries and two golf courses in the Asia Pacific. It is expanding to West Asia, Central America, Europe, Australia and Africa.

Kapico Group is a privately owned international corporation with more than 40 subsidiary and joint venture companies in 11 countries.